Introduction to the physics of nucleation

In this introductory article, I review the theory of nucleation by thermal activation and by quantum tunneling. The effect of heterogeneous nucleation at surfaces is discussed and a brief survey of experimental techniques is given. To cite this article: H.J. Maris, C. R. Physique 7 (2006).     

Parametric fluorescence in semiconductor waveguides

We report on semiconductor waveguides for room-temperature parametric fluorescence in the near infrared. Two phase-matching schemes are presented: form birefringence and counter-propagating phase matching. The characteristics and performances of these solutions are discussed and compared for different kinds of applications. The emergence of these devices opens new perspectives toward guided-wave parametric amplifiers, oscillators, and sources for quantum information. To cite this article: M. Ravaro et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

Nucleation of magnetisation reversal, from nanoparticles to bulk materials

We review models for the nucleation of magnetisation reversal, i.e. the formation of a region of reversed magnetisation in an initially magnetically saturated system. For small particles, models for collective reversal, either uniform (Stoner–Wohlfarth model) or non-uniform like curling, provide good agreement between theory and experiment. For microscopic objects and thin films, we consider two models, uniform (Stoner–Wohlfarth) reversal inside a nucleation volume and a droplet model, where the free energy of an inverse bubble is calculated, taking into account volume energy (Zeeman energy) and surface tension (domain wall energy). In macroscopic systems, inhomogeneities in magnetic properties cause a distribution of energy barriers for nucleation, which strongly influences effects of temperature and applied field on magnetisation reversal. For these systems, macroscopic material parameters like exchange interaction, spontaneous magnetisation and magnetic anisotropy can give an indication of the magnetic coercivity, but exact values for nucleation fields are, in general, hard to predict. To cite this article: J. Vogel et al., C. R. Physique 7 (2006).     

Higher-loop integrability in gauge theory

The dilatation operator measures scaling dimensions of local operator in a conformal field theory. Algebraic methods of constructing the dilatation operator in four-dimensional N=4 gauge theory are reviewed. These led to the discovery of novel integrable spin chain models in the planar limit. Making use of Bethe ansätze a superficial discrepancy in the AdS/CFT correspondence was found, we discuss this issue and give a possible resolution. To cite this article: N. Beisert, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

L'opérateur de dilatation mesure les dimensions d'échelles des opérateurs locaux des théories conformes des champs. Nous passons en revue les méthodes algébriques de construction de l'opérateur de dilatation pour la théorie de jauge N=4 en quatre dimensions. Ceci nous a conduit à découvrir, dans la limite planaire, de nouveaux modèles intégrables de chaînes de spin. En utilisant l'ansätze de Bethe une incompatibilité avec la correspondance AdS/CFT fut découverte, nous discutons ce problème et une résolution possible. Pour citer cet article : N. Beisert, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

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).     

Detection of functional states by the ‘LAMDA’ classification technique: application to a coagulation process in drinking water treatment

The present Note proposes a learning classification methodology to identify functional states on a coagulation process involved in drinking water treatment. In this work, we chose to carry out the supervised control of this process while using the LAMDA (Learning Algorithm for Multivariate Data Analysis) classification technique. The LAMDA classification technique proposes the interactive participation of the expert operator during the learning phase and in the optimisation of the classification. In this work, all information stemming from the environment process as well as expert knowledge has been aggregated and exploited. The application chosen for state identification is the Rocade drinking water treatment plant located at Marrakech, Morocco. To cite this article: B. Lamrini et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).