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).     

Radiation effects in concentrated alloys and compounds: equilibrium and kinetics of driven systems

What organization of condensed matter does resist irradiation, as a function of irradiation conditions? How to characterize the latter? We survey the advances in the field during the past three decades, when irradiation effects reduce to nuclear collisions. While in simple cases (structure defined by a scalar order parameter) one may define a stochastic potential, which yields the stationary states of the compounds under irradiation and their respective stability, in more general cases, we are left with brute force atomistic simulations to explore materials' behaviour as a function of irradiation conditions. Special attention is given to the kinetics of concentration fields under irradiation, a question with several practical implications. We conclude that irradiation conditions are best defined by three parameters: the cascade features (number of displacements and replacements, length of replacement sequences, …), the frequency of cascade occurrence, and the cumulated dose. We suggest cascade features be named ‘(elementary) dose’ and the cascade occurrence frequency ‘dose rate’. To cite this article: G. Martin, P. Bellon, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

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).     

Hard X-ray PhotoEmission Spectroscopy of strongly correlated systems

Hard X-ray PhotoEmission Spectroscopy (HAXPES) is a new tool for the study of bulk electronic properties of solids using synchrotron radiation. We review recent achievements of HAXPES, with particular reference to the VOLPE project, showing that high energy resolution and bulk sensitivity can be obtained at kinetic energies of 6–8 keV. We present also the results of recent studies on strongly correlated materials, such as vanadium sesquioxide and bilayered manganites, revealing the presence of different screening properties in the bulk with respect to the surface. We discuss the relevant experimental features of the metal–insulator transition in these materials. To cite this article: G. Panaccione et al., C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Cavitation in water: a review

Liquid water can be brought beyond the liquid–vapor equilibrium line into a metastable state, before nucleation of bubbles (cavitation) occurs. We review the experimental work on cavitation in water, focusing on the determination of the ultimate degree of metastability at which liquid water can exist. We also present practical applications of metastability and cavitation. To cite this article: F. Caupin, E. Herbert, C. R. Physique 7 (2006).     

Cloaking by plasmonic resonance among systems of particles: cooperation or combat?

We study quasistatic cloaking by the mechanism of plasmonic resonance, for systems of coated cylinders. Our focus is on the nature of the resonant cloaking interaction: whether systems of particles can be made to cooperate in cloaking a polarizable particle from an applied uniform field. We show that in fact if the cloaking regions of the systems of particles overlap, then they tend to interact in a fashion detrimental to their cloaking of the polarizable particle. If the cloaking regions touch but do not overlap, then the system of particles can cloak a larger region than each would in isolation. To cite this article: R.C. McPhedran et al., C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

Cosmic superstrings II

Modern string theory provides a rich array of objects which could potentially appear as cosmic strings in our observable four-dimensional universe. However, there are many possible decay modes which would prevent the appearance of such strings. We investigate the conditions under which metastable strings can exist, and we find that such strings are present in many models. Hence cosmic strings give a potentially large window into string physics. To cite this article: E.J. Copeland et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

La théorie moderne des supercordes fournit un choix riche d'objets qui pourraient potentiellement apparaître en tant que cordes cosmiques dans notre univers quadridimensionnel observable. Cependant, il y a beaucoup de modes possibles de désintégration qui empêcheraient l'apparition de telles cordes. Nous étudions les conditions dans lesquelles des cordes métastables peuvent exister, et nous constatons que de telles cordes sont présentes dans beaucoup de modèles. Par conséquent les cordes cosmiques ouvrent une fenêtre potentiellement grande vers la physique des supercordes. Pour citer cet article : E.J. Copeland et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Supersymmetric backgrounds from generalized Calabi–Yau manifolds

We show that the supersymmetry transformations for type II string theories on six-manifolds can be written as differential conditions on a pair of pure spinors, the exponentiated Kähler form e^iJ and the holomorphic form Ω. The equations are explicitly symmetric under exchange of the two pure spinors and a choice of even or odd-rank RR field. This is mirror symmetry for manifolds with torsion. Moreover, RR fluxes affect only one of the two equations: e^iJ is closed under the action of the twisted exterior derivative in IIA theory, and similarly Ω is closed in IIB. This means that supersymmetric SU(3)-structure manifolds are always complex in IIB while they are twisted symplectic in IIA. Modulo a different action of the B-field, these are all generalized Calabi–Yau manifolds, as defined by Hitchin. To cite this article: M. Graña et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

On montre que les transformations de supersymétrie pour les théories des cordes de type II peuvent être traduites dans des équations différentielles pour une paire de spineurs purs, l'exponentiel de la forme de Kähler e^iJ et la forme holomorphe Ω. Ces équations sont symétriques sous l'échange des deux spineurs purs et des formes de RR de rang pair ou impair. Cette propriété est la symétrie miroir pour les variétés avec torsion. On voit aussi que les fluxes de RR entrent seulement dans une des deux équations : e^iJ est fermé sous l'action de la dérivée extérieure « twisted » dans la corde de type IIA, et de la même manière Ω est fermé en type IIB. Cela implique que les variétés supersymétriques de structure SU(3) sont toujours complexes en type IIB ou bien symplectiques « twisted » en IIA. Ces variétés sont donc des variétés des Calabi–Yau généralisées selon la définition de Hitchin, mais avec une action du champ B différente. Pour citer cet article : M. Graña et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Multi-conjugate solar adaptive optics at the Vacuum Tower Telescope on Tenerife

We present a breadboard multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) system for high angular resolution solar observations which we operate at the Vacuum Tower Telescope. We have developed methods to estimate quantitatively the performance of solar adaptive optics from science data. Several sets of short exposure images of the solar photosphere were analyzed to assess the performance of the MCAO. We demonstrate that a 30 arcsec field of view is substantially improved when the MCAO system is turned on. This compares favourably with an improvement of a 10 arcsec field with conventional solar adaptive optics. We also show how irradiance fluctuations in the MCAO compensated focus can be suppressed. To cite this article: O. von der Lühe et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

Atomic modeling of irradiation-induced hardening

We review recent results obtained by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations on the elementary interaction mechanisms between dislocations and irradiation defects, with the aim to obtain a fundamental understanding of plasticity in irradiated metals. The reactions obtained included defect shear, drag and absorption in edge and screw dislocations. We present the state of the art in both FCC and BCC metals and discuss the challenges faced by MD simulations, in particular in BCC metals in order to realistically simulate the thermally-activated glide of screw dislocations in the presence of obstacles. To cite this article: D. Rodney, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

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).     

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).     

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).     

Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering: From band mapping to inter-orbital excitations

Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (also known as resonant X-ray Raman spectroscopy when only valence and conduction states are involved in the final state excitation) has developed into a major tool for understanding the electronic properties of complex materials. Presently it provides access to electron excitations in the few hundred meV range with element and bulk selectivity. Recent progress in X-ray optics and synchrotron radiation engineering have opened up new perspectives for this powerful technique to improve resolving power and efficiency. We briefly present the basics of the method and illustrate its potential with examples chosen from the literature. To cite this article: J. Lüning, C.F. Hague, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Some microphysical and electrical aspects of a Cloud Resolving Model: description and thunderstorm case study

An electrification scheme, consistent with the mixed-phase microphysical parameterization, has been developed for the French cloud resolving model MésoNH. There are four successive steps: (i) charge separation is assumed to result only from non-inductive processes; (ii) electrical charges carried by the different hydrometeor species are transported along the air flow and redistributed according to the microphysical processes; (iii) the electric field is deduced from the integration of a modified Poisson equation; (iv) a lightning parameterization simulates triggering, propagation and pseudo-fractal branching of the flashes and associated charge neutralization. Two numerical experiments are conducted firstly to evaluate the performances of the lightning scheme, secondly to test the simulated evolution of the electrical characteristics of a idealized supercellular storm. To cite this article: G. Molinié et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1305–1324.     

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).     

FALCON: multi-object AO

FALCON is a wide-field, multi-object integral field spectrograph equipped with adaptive optics. It is dedicated to the study of the formation process of primordial galaxies. The AO system uses natural guide stars, and the high sky coverage required for these studies is obtained using tomographic techniques for the wavefront analysis. The structure of the OA system is very new, and particularly suited for a future implementation on extremely large telescopes. To cite this article: E. Gendron et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

A lightning initiation mechanism: application to a thunderstorm electrification model

The use of numerical models has greatly increased our understanding of the electrical and microphysical process within electrified clouds. We use the University of Washington, 1.5-dimensional thunderstorm model to examine the effects of including a runaway electron based lightning initiation mechanism. We find that this mechanism can significantly alter the electrification history of modeled storms and produce vertical electric field profiles that are very similar to those of observed storms. To cite this article: R. Solomon et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1325–1333.     

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).     

Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics for ELTs: constraints and limitations

We present how enlarging the size of a telescope from the current 10 meter telescope to the future 100 meter Extremely Large Telescopes increases the complexity of a classical or multiconjugate adaptive optics instrument. We point out elements or parameters of the system for which it is critical to propose new ideas as solutions and we study the effect of the increase of the diameter on the point spread function of an MCAO and a Ground Layer AO system. To cite this article: R. Ragazzoni et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).