Magnetic and resonant X-ray scattering investigations of strongly correlated electron systems

Resonant X-ray scattering is a method which combines high- resolution X-ray elastic diffraction and atomic core-hole spectroscopy for investigating electronic and magnetic long-range ordered structures in condensed matter. During recent years the development of theoretical models to describe resonant X-ray scattering amplitudes and the evolution of experimental techniques, which include the control and analysis of linear photon polarization and the introduction of extreme environment conditions such as low temperatures, high magnetic field and high pressures, have opened a new field of investigation in the domain of strongly correlated electron systems. To cite this article: L. Paolasini, F. de Bergevin, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

X-ray detected optical activity

Optical Activity (OA) was only measured quite recently in the X-ray range using electric dipole–electric quadrupole interference terms that mix multipoles of opposite parity but are only present in systems with broken inversion symmetry. Natural OA refers to effects that are even with respect to time-reversal symmetry, whereas non-reciprocal OA is concerned with time-reversal odd contributions. Various types of X-ray dichroism related to either natural or non-reciprocal OA have been detected and are reviewed in the present paper. To cite this article: A. Rogalev et al., C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

X-rays and matter – the basic interactions

In this introductory article we attempt to provide the theoretical basis for developing the interaction between X-rays and matter, so that one can unravel properties of matter by interpretation of X-ray experiments on samples. We emphasize that we are dealing with the basics, which means that we shall limit ourselves to a discussion of the interaction of an X-ray photon with an isolated atom, or rather with a single electron in a Hartree–Fock atom. Subsequent articles in this issue deal with more complicated – and interesting – forms of matter encompassing many atoms or molecules. To cite this article: J. Als-Nielsen, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Negative refractive index, perfect lenses and checkerboards: Trapping and imaging effects in folded optical spaces

Newly discovered metamaterials have opened new vistas for better control of light via negative refraction, whereby light refracts in the “wrong” manner. These are dielectric and metallic composite materials structured at subwavelength lengthscales. Their building blocks consist of local resonators such as conducting thin bars and split rings driving the material parameters such as the dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability to negative (complex) values. Combined together, these structural elements can bring about a (complex valued) negative effective refractive index for the Snell–Descartes law and result in negative refraction of radiation. Negative refractive index materials can support a host of surface plasmon states for both polarizations of light. This makes possible unique effects such as imaging with subwavelength image resolution through the Pendry–Veselago slab lens. Other geometries have also been investigated, such as cylindrical or spherical lenses that enable a magnification of images with subwavelength resolution. Superlenses of three-fold (equilateral triangle), four-fold (square) and six-fold (hexagonal) geometry allow for multiple images, respectively two, three, and five. Generalization to rectangular and triangular checkerboards consisting of alternating cells of positive and negative refractive index represents a very singular situation in which the density of modes diverges at the corners, with an infinity of images. Sine-cosecant anisotropic heterogeneous square and triangular checkerboards can be respectively mapped onto three-dimensional cubic and icosahedral corner lenses consisting of alternating positive and negative refractive regions. All such systems with corners between negative and positive refractive media display very singular behavior with the local density of states becoming infinitely large at the corner, in the limit of no dissipation. We investigate all of these, using the unifying viewpoint of transformation optics. To cite this article: S. Guenneau, S.A. Ramakrishna, C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

Phase-shift, refraction and focusing based on the metamaterial technologies

We address the problem of positive phase-shifting, negative refraction and focusing via a flat lens on the basis of the metamaterial technologies. With this aim, three examples are considered which differ by the technology employed and the operating frequency. The first one concerns negative-zero-positive refraction by using a prism-shaped electromagnetic metamaterial which consists of omega-type inclusion arrays operating at microwaves. The experimental verification was done in this case by angle-resolved transmission measurements. Second, we report on the phase-shift properties of a negative index transmission line which operates at Terahertz frequencies. In order to experimentally demonstrate the left-handed character of the propagation along the line, resulting in a phase advance, we used time domain experiments. At last, focusing by double refraction in a flat negative index lens was demonstrated by the theoretical and experimental mapping of the intensity of the electric field. Such a mapping of the E-field was carried out at near infrared (1.5 μm) by analysis in the time domain and scanning by near field optical microscopy. To cite this article: D. Lippens, C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

Organisation of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires using lateral alumina templates

Carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires have been thoroughly studied for the future replacement of silicon-based complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices and circuits. However, the organisation of these nanomaterials in dense transistor arrays, where each device is capable of delivering drive currents comparable with those of their silicon counterparts is still a big challenge. Here, we present a novel approach to the organisation of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires, based on the use of porous lateral alumina templates obtained by the controlled anodic oxidation of aluminium thin films. We discuss the growth of nanomaterials inside the pores of such templates and show the feasibility of our approach. Our first results point to further work on controlling the synthesis of catalyst nanoparticles at the bottom of the pores, these particles being necessary to nucleate and sustain the growth of carbon nanotubes or semiconductor nanowires. To cite this article: D. Pribat et al., C. R. Physique 10 (2009).