Signal formats and error correction in optical transmission

We review the advantages and drawbacks of the main optical modulation formats, comparing the standard intensity-modulated ones to more sophisticated phase and intensity modulated formats for high capacity or long distance transmission. Furthermore, different Forward Error Correction solutions, from standard Reed Solomon (RS) to block turbo codes, are presented and their impact on optical transmission system design is discussed. To cite this article: O. Ait Sab, H. Bissessur, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Effect of the geometrical phase shift on the spin and orbital angular momenta of light traveling in a coiled optical fiber with optical activity

The intrinsic spin and extrinsic orbital angular momenta (S and L) and their torque densities are derived and formulated using the plane waves for light propagating in coiled optically active fiber cores which have homogeneity and inhomogeneity of refractive index n. The effect of the geometrical phase shift χ on S, L, their densities (per unit volume) and their torque densities of the right and left circularly polarized plane waves split in such a fiber is analyzed using the locally inertial coordinate frame for a fiber core with homogeneity of n and the non-inertial coordinate frame for a fiber core with inhomogeneity of n.     

Research trends in terrestrial transmission systems

The technique of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has paved the way for multi-terabit/s capacities in terrestrial optical networks. Recently, we conducted a laboratory experiment to emulate a terrestrial transmission of 6.3 Tbit/s capacity over a record 2700 km distance. After describing some of the specific features of optical terrestrial transmission, we discuss the various technologies possibly involved in such an emulator and discuss their implementation in actual systems, namely the modulation format, the optical amplifier scheme, the 40 Gbit/s electronics and the forward error-correcting codes. To cite this article: S. Bigo et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

General methods for flash chromatography using disposable columns

As technology has evolved available guidelines for normal-phase flash chromatography have become less relevant. Years of experience performing chromatography with disposable columns have been condensed into simple guidelines useful for translating TLC results into either isocratic- or gradient-flash chromatography. The described studies should provide researchers with a means of selecting adequate columns and guidelines to reduce the waste of solvents, silica, time, and money. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PtCo/Au nanocomposite: Synthesis,characterization, and magnetic properties

Magnetic PtCo/Au nanocomposites with narrow size distribution were synthesized in a reverse micelle, followed by a post-synthesis handling of the stabilizer-exchange technique. The PtCo/Au nanocomposites were characterized by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Superconducting quantum interference device studies revealed that the nanocomposites were superparamagnetic above the blocking temperature (T_B=69 K), while the samples were ferromagnetic with Hc (628 Oe) and Ms (2.97 emu/g) at 5 K.     

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy study on reversion of Al2CuMg precipitates in Al–Cu–Mg alloys under irradiation

Image deconvolution analyses showed that reversion of S-Al₂CuMg precipitates occurred in an Al–Cu–Mg alloy during high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations. A fraction of Mg and Cu atoms in the precipitates diffused into Al matrix due to electron beam irradiation at 300 kV, resulting in structural/chemical reversion of the precipitates. The structural reversion of the S-Al₂CuMg precipitates is closely related with irradiation-induced displacement of atoms. The strong attraction between Cu and Mg atoms might assist the sub-threshold displacement of Cu atoms. One transitional structure is determined to be S′′-Al₁₀Cu₃Mg₃, a precursor of S-Al₂CuMg. Two other transitional structures, Al₃CuMg and Al₁₈Cu₅Mg₅ which have the same lattice parameters of a = c = 0.405 nm as that of S′′-Al₁₀Cu₃Mg₃, but different b values, are suggested.     

Electronic band structure calculation of GaNAsBi alloys and effective mass study

Electronic band structures of GaN_xAs_1−x−yBi_y dilute nitrides–bismides have been determined theoretically within the framework of the band anticrossing (BAC) model and k ⋅ p method. We have developed computer codes based on our extended BAC model, denoted (16 × 16), in which the dimension of the used states basis was equal to 16. We have investigated the band gap and the spin orbit splitting as a function of Bi composition for alloys lattice matched to GaAs. We have found that the substitution of As element by N and Bi impurities leads to a significant reduction of band gap energy by roughly 198 meV/%Bi. Meanwhile, spin orbit splitting increases by 56 meV/%Bi regardless N content. There is an excellent agreement between the model predictions and experiment reported in the literature. In addition, alloys compositions and oscillator strengths of transition energies have been calculated for GaNAsBi alloys which represent active zone of temperature insensitive (1.55 μm and 1.3 μm) wavelength laser diodes intended for optical fiber communications. A crossover at about 0.6 eV has occurred between E_g and Δ_so of GaN_.039As_.893Bi_.068. When the quaternary is lattice mismatched to GaAs, resonance energy increases with Bi content if N content decreases. On the other hand, effective mass behavior of carriers at Γ point has been discussed with respect to alloy composition, k-directions and lattice mismatch.     

Fiber Bragg gratings for optical telecommunications

Bragg gratings photoimprinted in optical fibers have become essential for flattening the gain of amplifiers, stabilizing the wavelength of pumps or sources, and for fiber lasers. Advantages are low insertion loss, very low polarization sensitivity and an extremely flexible design. Those advantages make gratings also very attractive candidates for applications of complex filtering or precise chromatic dispersion compensation. This article briefly describes the different types of Bragg gratings as well as several examples of applications in optical telecommunications. To cite this article: I. Riant, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Eco-friendly methods of synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of sulfonamide derivatives of cyclic arylguanidines

The chemotype of arylsulfonamide derivatives of cyclic arylguanidines is a source of molecules with valuable biological activities, including antimicrobial and antitumor properties. The methods of the synthesis presented in the literature are characterized with low selectivity and high environmental nuisance. In this publication, we present a developed alternative and earlier undescribed pathway C, for the synthesis of arylsulfonamide derivatives of cyclic arylguanidines (N-(1H-arylimidazol-2-yl)arylsulfonamides and N-(1,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)arylsulfonamides), including reaction between 2-(methylsulfanyl)-benzimidazole or 2-(methylsulfanyl)-3,4-dihydroquinazoline with arylsulfonamides. We also optimized previously reported methods; A (reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazole or 2-amino-3,4-dihydroquinazoline with arylsulfonyl chlorides) and B (reaction of dimethyl-(arylsulfonyl)carbonodithioimidate with aryldiamines). The conducted research allowed achieving two independent ecological and quick methods of obtaining the desired products. We used ecological methods of ultrasound-assisted or microwave synthesis, solvent-free reactions and a “green” reaction environment. In both pathways, it has proven advantageous to use H₂O as the solvent and K₂CO₃ (1 or 3 equivalent) as the basic agent. In the sonochemical variant, the efficiency reached B: 37–89 %, C: 90 % in 60 min (P = 80 W and f = 40 kHz), while in the microwave synthesis it was B: 38–74 %, C: 63–85 % in 0.5–4 min (P = 50 W). Path A led to a complementary substitution product (i.e. 1-(arylsulfonyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine or 1-(arylsulfonyl)-1,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-amine). We obtained a small group of compounds that were tested for cytotoxicity. The 10f (N-(1,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide) showed cytotoxic activity towards human astrocytoma cell line 1321 N1. The calculated IC₅₀ value was 8.22 µM at 24 h timepoint (doxorubicin suppressed 1321 N1 cell viability with IC₅₀ of 1.1 µM). The viability of the cells exposed to 10f for 24 h dropped to 48.0 % compared to vehicle control, while the cells treated with doxorubicin experienced decline to 47.5 %. We assessed its potential usefulness in pharmacotherapy in the ADMET study, confirming its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (Pe = 5.0 ± 1.5 × 10^-6 cm/s) and the safety of its potential use in terms of DDI and hepatotoxicity.     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescence study of dimethyl[N-arylmethylenethiobenzahydrazonato]indium

Five dimethylindium complexes of type Me₂InL [L = N-(4-methoxy)benzylidenethiobenzahydrazonato (1), N-(3,4-dimethoxy)benzylidenethiobenzahydrazonato (2), N-(4-N,N-dimethylamino)benzylidenethiobenzahydrazonato (3), N-(2-naphthyl)methylene thiobenzahydrazonato (4) and N-(9-anthryl)methylenethiobenzahydrazonato (5)] have been synthesized by reaction of trimethylindium with appropriate N-arylmethylenethiobenzahydrozones. The complexes obtained have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Compounds 1–5 emit blue colors at λ_max = 432–479 nm when irradiated by UV light. The electroluminescent (EL) properties of 1–5 were examined by fabricating EL devices using 1–5 as emitter, respectively. The EL bands are located in the green region (513–578 nm).     

An optical continuous phase FSK modulation scheme with an arbitrary modulation index over long-haul transmission fiber link

This paper presents an optical continuous phase frequency shift keying (CPFSK) modulation scheme with an arbitrary modulation index. The detailed principle on the optical CPFSK generation is derived and analyzed, which includes the special case of the minimum-shift keying (MSK) with a modulation index h = 1/2. The differential detection and the coherent detection of CPFSK are also depicted. The performances of the four kinds of the optical CPFSK modulated system with a 40 Gb/s modulation rate whose modulation index are h = 1/2, h = 2/3, h = 3/4 and h = 1 are simulated via the spectral efficiency and the receiver sensitivity over fiber link respectively. In addition, comparison with the differential phase shift keying (DPSK) is taken. Through the calculation of the spectral efficiency of each modulation formats, CPFSK has higher spectral efficiency than DPSK with the same optical devices. The transmission performances of our CPFSK over the fiber link change better as the modulation index increases under the condition of the first order dispersion of the fiber link is completely compensated. Through simulations, a 1200 km transmission distance can be achieved with a modulation index h = 1.     

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of water-soluble monosubstituted diruthenium compounds

The elusive monosubstituted diruthenium complexes [Ru₂Cl(DAniF)(O₂CMe)₃] (1), [Ru₂Cl(DPhF)(O₂CMe)₃] (2), [Ru₂Cl(D-p-CNPhF)(O₂CMe)₃] (3), [Ru₂Cl(D-o-TolF)(O₂CMe)₃] (4), [Ru₂Cl(D-m-TolF)(O₂CMe)₃] (5), [Ru₂Cl(D-p-TolF)(O₂CMe)₃] (6) and [Ru₂Cl(p-TolA)(O₂CMe)₃] (7) have been synthesized using for the first time ultrasound-assisted synthesis to carry out a substitution reaction in metal–metal bonded dinuclear compounds (DAniF⁻ = N,N′-bis(4-anisyl)formamidinate; DPhF⁻ = N,N′-diphenylformamidinate; D-p-CNPhF⁻ = N,N′-bis(4-cyanophenyl)formamidinate; D-o/m/p-TolF⁻ = N,N′-bis(2/3/4-tolyl)formamidinate; p-TolA⁻ = N-4-tolylamidate). This is a simpler and greener method than the tedious procedures described in the literature, and it has permitted to obtain water-soluble complexes with good yields in a short period of time. A synthetic study has been implemented to find the best experimental conditions to prepare compounds 1–7. Two different types of ligands, formamidinate and amidate, have been used to check the generality of the method for the preparation of monosubstituted complexes. Five new compounds (2–6) have been obtained using a formamidinate ligand, the synthesis of the previously described compound 1 has been improved, and an unprecedented monoamidate complex has been achieved (7). The crystal structures of compounds 3 and 7 have been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds show the typical paddlewheel structure with three acetate ligands and one formamidinate (3) or amidate (7) bridging ligand at the equatorial positions. The axial positions are occupied by the chloride ligand giving rise to one-dimensional polymer structures that were previously unknown for monosubstituted compounds.     

CMB polarization as complementary information to anisotropies

The origin of CMB polarization is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the cosmological information encoded in it: the nature of primordial fluctuations, the connection with the inflation paradigm. Insights into more recent epochs are also discussed: early reionization and high redshift matter distribution from CMB lensing. To cite this article: J. Kaplan et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Fabry–Pérot cavities based on chemical etching for high temperature and strain measurement

In this paper, two hybrid multimode/single mode fiber Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavities were compared. The cavities fabricated by chemical etching are presented as high temperature and strain sensors. In order to produce this FP cavity a single mode fiber was spliced to a graded index multimode fiber with 62.5 μm core diameter. The Fabry–Pérot cavities were tested as a high temperature sensor in the range between room temperature and 700 °C and as strain sensors. A reversible shift of the interferometric peaks with temperature allowed to estimate a sensitivity of 0.75 ± 0.03 pm/°C and 0.98 ± 0.04 pm/°C for the sensor A and B respectively. For strain measurement sensor A demonstrated a sensitivity of 1.85 ± 0.07 pm/μ? and sensor B showed a sensitivity of 3.14 ± 0.05 pm/μ?. The sensors demonstrated the feasibility of low cost fiber optic sensors for high temperature and strain.     

Physics and mathematics of dispersion-managed optical solitons

We review the main physical and mathematical properties of dispersion-managed (DM) optical solitons. Theory of DM solitons can be presented at two levels of accuracy: first, simple, but nevertheless, quantitative models based on ordinary differential equations governing evolution of the soliton width and phase parameter (the so-called chirp); and second, a comprehensive path-average theory that is capable of describing in detail both the fine structure of DM soliton form and its evolution along the fiber line. An analogy between DM soliton and a macroscopic nonlinear quantum oscillator model is also discussed. To cite this article: S.K. Turitsyn et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Magnetic alignment of MnBi crystals and magnetic properties of MnBi–Bi composites

Below Curie temperature T_C, MnBi crystals are aligned along c-axis in a Bi matrix under a fabrication field H_f of 0.5 T. Above T_C, this alignment is also accomplished by quenching under a high H_f of 10 T. Such a method has a prominent feature that MnBi crystals grow preferentially and congregate along the H_f direction. Magnetic testing shows a pronounced anisotropy in magnetization in directions normal and parallel to H_f, resulting from the alignment. In the case of the alignment below T_C, H_f increases the transition temperature of spin-reorientation and the change in magnetization.     

Effect of nonequilibrium phonons on the tunnel current in superlattices

We present the first measurements of the effect of nonequilibrium phonons on the tunnel current in a weakly coupled GaAs/AlAs superlattice. The phonon-induced current has a maximum at a bias voltage which varies linearly with phonon source temperature at both zero and applied magnetic fields (B = 6 T). We attribute these results to assisted tunnelling by stimulated phonon emission and show that this system can be used as a phonon spectrometer.     

Quantum transitions in bilayer states

The possible phase transitions when two layers at filling factor ν_t=1 are gradually separated are studied in this article. In the bosonic case the system should undergo a pairing transition from a Fermi liquid to an incompressible state. In the Fermionic case, the state evolves from an incompressible (1,1,1) state to a Fermi liquid. It is speculated that there is an intermediate phase involving charge two quasiparticles. To cite this article: V. Pasquier, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 709–715.     

Stresses in compressed bubble rafts

We present a simple geometric method to determine the stress field in a compressed bubble raft. We show that bubble rafts exhibit arches phenomena as do granular materials, and examine the relaxation of stresses following a T₁ transformation. To cite this article: C. Ybert, J.-M. di Meglio, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 555–559.