Experimental results: an update

This article is a summary of experimental results from highest energy cosmic ray measurements, focusing on data and analyses that became available after 1999. To cite this article: R. Engel, H. Klages, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Comment on “A new model of charge transfer during ice–ice collisions”: [C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1293–1303]

A model which proposes modifications of a theory of collisional charging of ice is criticized. To cite this article: J.G. Dash, J.S. Wettlaufer, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Searching for extra dimensions at colliders

The phenomenology as well as the main experimental aspects of large extra space dimensions at colliders are briefly presented. To cite this article: M. Besançon, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

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.     

A personal view of some issues involved in the structure of nuclei with large neutron excess

Large neutron excess poses new issues concerning the competition of deformation and pairing as well as changes in nuclear shell structure. To cite this article: I. Hamamoto, B.R. Mottelson, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Séparation physique de molécules chirales

One examines the order of magnitude of the speed of separation of optically active molecules bearing a permanent dipole under the effect of a rotating electric field. To cite this article: Y. Pomeau, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1269–1271.     

Sonochemical effect on two new Ruthenium(II) complexes with ligand (E)-N-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methylene)-4-(methylthio)aniline precursors for synthesis of RuO2 nanoparticles

Two novel Ru(II) complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl(L2)]PF₆ (R2) and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(L2)]PF₆ (R4), with ligand (E)-N-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methylene)-4-(methylthio)aniline (L2), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. Based on X-ray crystallography studies, complexes R2 and R4 have coordination environments with formulated (η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(N₂Cl) and (η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(N₂Cl), respectively. The thermal stabilities of compounds R2 and R4 were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal decomposition of these complexes was at 280 °C and 260 °C under air atmosphere respectively. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was explored through electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence and redox behavior studies. The results showed that the complexes bind to CT-DNA with electrostatic interactions. Nanoparticles of RuO₂ were prepared by calcination of R2 and R4. Also the role of the ultrasound waves on the characteristics of the RuO₂ nanoparticles was studied. The nanoparticles were characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also size and morphology of nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Universality of electroweak couplings

The present experimental tests of the electroweak universality in the leptonic sector are reviewed for both charged- and neutral-current electroweak interactions. To cite this article: A. Rougé, R. Tanaka, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1165–1172.     

Fuels and targets for transmutation

The major technological aspects of fuels and targets for the transmutation of minor actinides are discussed. The changes in the fuel properties, the effects on the fabrication processes and the irradiation behaviour caused by recycling of minor actinides (compared to conventional uranium-based fuel) are outlined. The most promising developments are identified. To cite this article: R.J.M. Konings, D. Haas, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1013–1022.     

Quelques problèmes posés par les découvertes de Pluton et de Neptune

This Note reviews the history of the discovery of the planets Pluto and Neptune. To cite this article: V. Kourganoff, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Foreword

We introduce the main issues related to the new cosmological advances coming from observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). These issues are then detailed in the following articles of this special CMB volume. To cite this article: F.-X. Désert, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

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).     

Pfaffians,superpotentials and vector bundle moduli

We present a method for explicitly computing the non-perturbative superpotentials associated with the vector bundle moduli in heterotic superstrings and M-theory. This method is applicable to any stable, holomorphic vector bundle over an elliptically fibered Calabi–Yau threefold. Superpotentials of vector bundle moduli potentially have important implications for small instanton phase transitions and the vacuum stability and cosmology of superstrings and M-theory. To cite this article: B.A. Ovrut, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Champ élastique d'une dislocation rectiligne parallèle aux interfaces : une nouvelle approche

The elastic field of a crystalline defect parallel to the two free surfaces of an isotropic thin foil is studied, for plane strain, with a new approach using repeated applications of the classical solution of the Flamant's problem. The case of an edge dislocation placed at any position in the foil and with a Burgers vector parallel to the surfaces is considered in greater detail. To cite this article: R. Bonnet, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

InP-based wavelength tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser structures

We report on the design, fabrication and characteristics of both hybrid and monolithic micro-electro-mechanically wavelength tunable 1.55 μm InP-based Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) structures. Photo-pumped tunable VCSELs are successfully realized using both configurations, and a design for electrically pumped tunable VCSEL is presented. To cite this article: I. Sagnes et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Can the CMB reveal the topology of the universe?

This article summarizes recent progress in the development of tools to study the topology of the universe with the cosmic microwave background. The different signatures of the topology and observational constraints are described. The ability of future experiments to reveal the topological structure of our universe is then discussed. To cite this article: J.P. Uzan, A. Riazuelo, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Analyse du contraste d'un sous-joint de torsion (0 0 1) dans le silicium en MET à deux ondes

A quantitative analysis of the image of a low angle (0 0 1) twist boundary in silicon is performed using the two-beam dynamical theory of electron diffraction. The contrast features are discussed as functions of the thickness of the foil and possible elastic relaxation effects of the low angle twist boundary in the thin foil. To cite this article: R. Bonnet et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 657–663.     

De la microstructure du polymère à ses propriétés rhéologiques

We extend the previous work by Benallal et al. on the relationship between structure and rheological properties of linear polymer melts. The aim of this paper is to quantify the effect of the chemical structure on the viscoelastic properties. We show that these properties are governed by the monomer dimensions and the interaction energy. To cite this article: A. Allal et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1451–1458.     

From quantum optics to quantum communications

We review the possible roles of quantum optics and quantum information methods for future developments of optical telecommunications. To cite this article: I. Abram, P. Grangier, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

CMB: the isotropic part

The Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB, is the only truly diffuse background, whereas the other backgrounds come from the integrated light (along the line of sight) of various sources. The CMB is now known, thanks to the FIRAS experiment above the COBE satellite, to have a nearly perfect blackbody spectrum. This proves to be quite constraining on early energy releases. We review the average spectrum of the CMB with respect to other backgrounds and the consequences regarding the history of the early Universe. To cite this article: F.R. Bouchet, J.-L. Puget, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).