X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy at the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) facility

The proposed European X-ray Free-Electron Laser source (XFEL) will provide extremely brilliant (B>10³³ ph/s/mm²/mrad²/0.1% bw) and highly coherent X-ray beams. Due to the pulse structure and the unprecedented brightness one will be able for the first time to study fast dynamics in the time domain, thus giving direct access to the dynamic response function S(Q,t), instead of S(Q,ω), which is of central importance for a variety of phenomena such as fast non-equilibrium dynamics. X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) measures the temporal changes in a speckle pattern produced when coherent light is scattered by a disordered system and therefore allows the measurement of S(Q,t). This article summarizes important aspects of the scientific case for an XPCS instrument at the planned XFEL. New XPCS setups taking account of the XFEL pulse structure are described. To cite this article: G. Grübel, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

High-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering to study the high-frequency atomic dynamics of disordered systems

The use of momentum-resolved inelastic x-ray scattering with meV energy resolution to study the high-frequency atomic dynamics in disordered systems is here reviewed. The typical realization of this experiment is described together with some common models used to interpret the measured spectra and to extract parameters of interest for the investigation of disordered systems. With the help of some selected examples, the present status of the field is discussed. Particular attention is given to those results which are still open for discussion or controversial, and which will require further development of the technique to be fully solved. Such an instrumental development seems nowadays possible at the light of recently proposed schemes for advanced inelastic x-ray scattering spectrometers. To cite this article: G. Monaco, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Higher spin gauge theories in any dimension

Some general properties of higher spin gauge theories are summarized, with the emphasize on the nonlinear theories in any dimension. To cite this article: M.A. Vasiliev, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

Des propriétés générales des théories de jauge de grands spins sont présentées, en insistant particulièrement sur les théories non-linéaires en dimensions diverses. Pour citer cet article : M.A. Vasiliev, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Basic results in vacuum statistics

This is a review of recent work on constructing and finding statistics of string theory vacua, done in collaboration with Frederik Denef, Bogdan Florea, Bernard Shiffman and Steve Zelditch. To cite this article: M.R. Douglas, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

Cet article est une revue de travaux récents sur la construction et découverte de statistiques des vides de théories des cordes, réalisée en collaboration avec Frederik Denef, Bogdan Florea, Bernard Shiffman et Steve Zelditch. Pour citer cet article : M.R. Douglas, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Specific architectures for optical parametric oscillators

Optical parametric oscillators are coherent light sources showing properties that are not encountered with usual laser sources. This article deals with optical architectures that take advantage of the specific properties of the three-wave mixing parametric interaction. We show that optical cavities can be specifically designed to increase either the optical conversion of the parametric process or to reduce dramatically the emitted line width. To cite this article: A. Berrou et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

Variations on the warped deformed conifold

The warped deformed conifold background of type IIB theory is dual to the cascading SU(M(p+1))×SU(Mp) gauge theory. We show that this background realizes the (super-)Goldstone mechanism where the U(1) baryon number symmetry is broken by expectation values of baryonic operators. The resulting massless pseudo-scalar and scalar glueballs are identified in the supergravity spectrum. A D-string is then dual to a global string in the gauge theory. Upon compactification, the Goldstone mechanism turns into the Higgs mechanism, and the global strings turn into ANO strings. To cite this article: S.S. Gubser et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

La configuration de fond pour la théorie de type IIB donnée par le conifold voilé déformé est duale à la cascade de théorie de jauge SU(M(p+1))×SU(Mp). Nous montrons que cette configuration donne une réalisation du mécanisme de (super-)Goldstone où la symètrie baryonique U(1) est brisée par la valeur moyenne dans le vide des opérateurs baryoniques. Les boules de glue pseudo-scalaires et scalaires de masse nulle résultantes sont identifiées dans le spectre de supegravité. Une D-corde est alors duale à une corde globale dans la théorie de jauge. Après compactification, le mécanisme de Goldstone devient un mécanisme de Higgs, et une corde globale devient une corde ANO. Pour citer cet article : S.S. Gubser et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Effective actions of intersecting brane worlds, fluxes and gaugino condensation

In this article we will first discuss the construction of brane world models being built either by intersecting D6-branes in type IIA orientifolds or, in the T-dual mirror picture, by D3- plus D7-branes with f-flux in type IIB orientifolds. We will show how their effective action is obtained by the calculation of scattering amplitudes between open and closed string states on intersecting D6-branes respectively on D3- and D7-branes. Secondly, turning on type IIB 3-form fluxes we will compute the induced soft supersymmetry breaking terms for the matter fields, like gaugino and scalar field masses. Finally, we will discuss the generation of 3-form flux in type IIB supergravity, which can be associated to the dynamical formation of a gaugino condensate in the confining phase of the dual N=1^* gauge theory. To cite this article: D. Lüst, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

Dans cet article nous discutons tout d'abord la construction de modèles de monde branaires construits soit par intersection de branes D6 dans des orientifolds de type IIA ou, dans la représentation T-duale, par des branes de type D3 et D7 avec des flux f dans les orientifolds de type IIB. Nous montrons comment obtenir leurs actions effectives en calculant les amplitudes de diffusion sur des intersections de branes de D6 et aussi sur des branes de type D3 et D7. Ensuite, nous allumons des flux pour la 3-forme de type IIB et nous calculons les termes de brisure douce de la supersymétrie pour les champs de matière, comme les masses du jaugino et des champs scalaires. Enfin, nous discutons la génération de flux pour la 3-forme de type IIB en supergravité, qui peut-être associée à la dynamique de la formation de condensat de jaugino dans la phase confinante de la théorie de jauge duale N=1^*. Pour citer cet article : D. Lüst, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Wavefront sensing issues in MCAO

The problematic of wavefront sensing in Multiconjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) is addressed in this article. We first focus on the sky coverage estimation which drives, in particular, the choice between natural and laser guide stars and therefore has a major impact on wavefront sensor design. Then a comparison between star oriented and layer oriented concepts is proposed. Analytical developments and optimization of the concepts are derived in the simplest MCAO case: the ground layer AO system. From this study, advantages and drawbacks of each concept are highlighted. To cite this article: T. Fusco et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

On practical aspects of Laser Guide Stars

The Gemini Observatory has developed an extensive Adaptive Optics (AO) program, including Classical AO, Laser Guide Star (LGS) AO, Multi-Conjugate AO (MCAO), extreme AO (eXAO) and Ground Layer AO (GLAO). Most of these instruments use one or several LGSs. A laser has been in operation at Gemini since May 2005. Most of the laser related systems (beam transport, launch, safety systems) have been developed in house. These are major components, requiring a development effort not to be underestimated. In this article, we propose to share the Gemini experience in terms of practical issues and calibration requirements associated with the use of lasers in AO. To cite this article: F. Rigaut, C. d'Orgeville, C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

Modelling of long term kinetic evolution: a fruitful relationship between experiment and theoretical development

Recent developments in multi-scale modelling, based on atomic scale calculations, are leading to a growing conviction that modelling will soon be used to design material components for nuclear reactors. In this article we discuss this assumption on the basis of the relationship between experimental studies and theoretical calculations of the microstructural evolution of materials under irradiation. In the first part of the paper, the available numerical models for long term microstructural evolutions are briefly reviewed. The experimental methods are presented in a second part. In the third part, several examples of fruitful relationships between modelling and experiments are discussed. To cite this article: A. Barbu, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Negative bending mode curvature via Robin boundary conditions

We examine the band spectrum, and associated Floquet–Bloch eigensolutions, arising in straight walled acoustic waveguides that have periodic structure along the guide. Homogeneous impedance (Robin) conditions are imposed along the guide walls and we find that in certain circumstances, negative curvature of the lowest (bending) mode can be achieved. This is unexpected, and has not been observed in a variety of physical situations examined by other authors. Further unexpected properties include the existence of the bending mode only on a subset of the Brillouin zone, as well as permitting otherwise unobtainable velocities of energy transmission. We conclude with a discussion of how such boundary conditions might be physically reproduced using effective conditions and homogenization theory, although the methodology to achieve these effective conditions is an open problem. To cite this article: S.D.M. Adams et al., C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

MAD: practical implementation of MCAO concepts

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) together with external research institutes have built a Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) Demonstrator (MAD) to perform wide field-of-view adaptive optics correction (2′ in K band). The aim of MAD is to demonstrate the on-sky feasibility of the MCAO technique and to evaluate its critical aspects in the framework of both the 2nd generation instrumentation for the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Overwhelmingly Large Telescope (OWL). The MAD module will be installed on the VLT to perform on-sky observations. MAD comprises two deformable mirrors and two different multi-reference wavefront sensors with natural guide stars. In this article we present the MAD design, some aspects of the MAD calibration and the first closed-loop results in the laboratory in Single Conjugated Adaptive Optics (SCAO) and Ground Layer Adaptive Optics (GLAO) configurations. To cite this article: E. Marchetti et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

Exploring the electronic band structure of individual carbon nanotubes under 60 T

Nano-sciences, and in particular nano-physics, constitute a fascinating world of investigations where the experimental challenges are to synthesize, to address (for instance optically or electrically) to explore and promote the remarkable physical properties of new nano-materials. Somehow, one of the most promising realization of nano-sciences lies in carbon-based nano-materials with sp² covalent bonds. In particular, carbon nanotubes, graphene and more recently ultra-narrow graphene nano-ribbons are envisioned as elementary bricks of the future of nano-electronics. However, prior to such an achievement, the first steps consist in understanding their fundamental electronic properties when they constitute the drain–source channel of a gated device or inter-connexion elements. In this article, we present the richness of challenging experiments combining single-object measurements with an extreme magnetic environment. We demonstrate that an applied magnetic field (B), along with a control of the electrostatic doping, drastically modifies the electronic band structure of a carbon nanotube based transistor. Several examples will be addressed in this presentation. When B is applied parallel to the tube axis, a quantum flux threading the tube induces a giant Aharonov–Bohm conductance modulation mediated by Schottky barriers whose profile is magnetic field dependent. In the perpendicular configuration, the applied magnetic field breaks the revolution symmetry along the circumference and non-conventional Landau states develop in the high field regime. By playing with a carbon nanotube based electronic Fabry–Perot resonator, the field dependence of the resonant states of the cavity reveals the onset of the first Landau state at zero energy. These experiments enlighten the outstanding efficiency of magneto-conductance experiments to probe the electronic properties of carbon based nano-materials. To cite this article: S. Nanot et al., C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

Fresnel phase matching: a universal phase matching scheme

We present new theoretical concepts for Fresnel phase matching. A guided wave approach is described, which allows us to intrinsically take into account all the physical processes involved. To cite this article: M. Raybaut et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

LINC-NIRVANA: MCAO toward Extremely Large Telescopes

LINC-NIRVANA is a Fizeau (imaging) interferometer exploiting the full spatial resolution of a 23 m class telescope in the combined beam of the Large Binocular Telescope supported through Multi-Conjugated Adaptive Optics (MCAO). By means of science cases, we show how LINC-NIRVANA takes advantage of the MCAO, increasing the sky coverage of the instrument and the field of view for the Fringe and Flexure tracker. We introduce the MCAO system of LINC-NIRVANA in detail, which in a first step will be installed with two deformable mirrors per arm and has the provision to be upgraded with a third mirror. The MCAO system implements several novel concepts proposed for extremely large telescopes, such as layer oriented MCAO, optical co-adding of guide stars, or Multiple Field of View sensing. LINC-NIRVANA will demonstrate some of the concepts for the first time on sky. To cite this article: W. Gaessler et. al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

Optimal control for Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics

Classic adaptive optics (AO) is now a proven technique that provides a closed loop real time correction of the turbulence. It is generally based on simple and efficient control algorithms. The next AO generation (Multi-Conjugate AO (MCAO) in its various forms and Extreme AO (XAO)) will require more sophisticated control approaches, especially in the case of wide field AO. We present here the concepts behind optimal control. The advantages compared to more standard approaches are stressed. A first experimental validation is presented. To cite this article: C. Petit et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

High repetition rate mid-infrared laser source

An efficient, high-power mid-infrared laser source based on ZnGeP₂ (ZGP) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is presented. Using a Q-switched Ho:YAG laser as the pump source a total output power of 10.6 W was obtained in the 3–5 μm band at 10 kHz and 8.5 W at 20 kHz. The Ho:YAG laser was pumped by two diode-pumped polarization coupled Tm:YLF lasers. Optical-to-optical efficiency achieved is >8.8% (laser-diode 792 nm to mid-IR 3–5 μm). With a commercial PtSi infrared camera (256×256 pixel focal plane array, 24 μm pitch) the pointing stability of Ho pump, signal and idler beam was measured to be better than 30 μrad. Whilst propagating the OPO beams over 100 m, little absorption for the idler beam was observed, resulting in a significant higher peak-to-peak value of ±22%, whereas the peak-to-peak stability of the signal pulses remained unchanged (±13%). To cite this article: M. Schellhorn et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

Holographic dynamics of unstable branes in AdS

The gauge theory dual to the decay of an unstable D-particle in AdS is analysed in terms of coherent states. We discuss in detail how to count the number of particles in the decay product. We find, in agreement with the analysis in flat space, that the emission amplitude is suppressed as the mass of the radiated particles increases. To cite this article: M. Zamaklar, K. Peeters, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

La théorie de jauge duale à la désintégration de D-particules instables dans AdS est analysée en termes d'état cohérents. Nous discutons en détails le comptage du nombre de particule dans le produit de désintégration. Nous trouvons, en accord avec l'analyse en espace plat, que le taux d'émission est supprimé quand la masse de la particule augmente. Pour citer cet article : M. Zamaklar, K. Peeters, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Nuclear resonance scattering

Nuclear resonance scattering is an atomistic spectroscopy sensitive to magnetic and electronic properties as well as slow and fast structural dynamics. Applications, which take advantage of both the outstanding properties of third generation synchrotron radiation sources and those of the Mössbauer effect, benefit most. Examples resulting from investigations at the ESRF will be given in applications to high pressure and low temperatures, nano-scale materials, and dynamics of disordered systems. To cite this article: R. Rüffer, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Metamaterials and invisibility

Metamaterials have significantly extended the range of electromagnetic properties available to device designers. An interesting application of these new materials is to the problem of cloaking, where the goal is to render an object invisible to electromagnetic radiation within a certain frequency range. Here, I review the concepts behind recently-proposed invisibility cloaks, and the way in which metamaterials can allow these designs to be realized. To cite this article: B. Wood, C. R. Physique 10 (2009).