On Two Theorems about Symplectic Reflection Algebras

We give a new proof and an improvement of two Theorems of J. Alev, M.A. Farinati, T. Lambre and A.L. Solotar [1] : the first one about Hochschild cohomology spaces of some twisted bimodules of the Weyl Algebra W, and the second one about Hochschild cohomology spaces of the smash product G * W (G a finite subgroup of SP (2n)) and, as a consequence, we then give a new proof of a Theorem of P. Etingof and V. Ginzburg (Invent Math 147:243–348, 2002), which shows that the Symplectic Reflection Algebras are deformations of G * W (and, in fact, all possible ones). Dedicated to my friend J.-C. Cortet.     

Superconductivity in non-stoichiometric and tin-substituted La2CuO4: preparation, characterization, Mössbauer and microwave-absorption studies

Two samples of non-stoichiometric La₂CuO₄ were synthesized, one with La/Cu<2, and the other with 10% Sn substituting Cu. They were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and microwave-absorption techniques. The microwave-absorption data indicated that they were both superconducting, with the transition temperatures T_c of 40.5 and 41.5 K, the one doped with Sn possessing the higher T_c. The Mössbauer spectra revealed that there exist two kinds of Sn(IV) atoms disordered with Cu. Their isomer shift, δ=−0.244(4) mm/s, is in agreement with Sn(IV) coordinated by oxygen. One site was characterized by a single Mössbauer line, being associated with a weakly distorted environment, wherein the Sn, coordinated more symmetrically, is surrounded by four Cu²⁺ ions. On the other hand, the other site, characterized by a Mössbauer doublet exhibited a quadrupole splitting Δ=1.07(2) mm/s, being associated with a highly distorted coordination, explained to be due to Sn occupying two adjacent cationic sites. To our knowledge, such a substitution for copper ions not resulting in a decrease of T_c has not been reported previously.     

The measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of some elements (Fe,Co, Ni,Ge, Sn,Te) in the liquid state

A magnetic balance was used for measuring the susceptibility of metals and alloys, in an atmosphere of purified argon, up to 1800°c.

Comparison of the susceptibilities of liquid Fe, Co and Ni gives information on the liquid state. The changes in the susceptibilities of Ge, Sn and Te on melting are typical of semi-metallic elements and semiconductors, but their behaviour differs according to the degree of symmetry in the solid state.     

Compact and portable holographic camera using photorefractive crystals. Application in various metrological problems

We present a compact holographic interferometer that uses a photorefractive crystal of the sillenite family as a holographic recording medium. Its development is based on a previous prototype that showed lack of flexibility and portability. We briefly discuss the main improvements leading to a compact device. Applications of this instrument in various metrological problems are shown, among which are two that were not already considered using holography, namely measurement of a thermal expansion coefficient and detection of fingerprints. Received: 20 December 2000 / Revised version: 8 February 2001 / Published online: 20 April 2001     

Extended path-averaged soliton regime in highly dispersive fibers

It is shown that solitons can survive the large temporal broadening induced by a propagation over many dispersion lengths. The propagation requires large excess power and specific conditions of the dispersion map.     

Efficient laser action of Yb:LSO and Yb:YSO oxyorthosilicates crystals under high-power diode-pumping

We report here on the efficient laser action of a new Yb-doped crystal Yb³⁺:Lu₂SiO₅ (Yb:LSO) under high power diode-pumping (15 W). Its performances were compared to another Yb-doped crystal belonging to the oxyorthosilicate family: the Yb:YSO. For both crystals, more than 7 W of laser radiation around 1 m was obtained under 14.4 W of incident pump power at 978 nm, leading to high optical conversions of more than 50%. Finally, both crystals demonstrate little sensitivity to pump wavelength drift and exhibit broad tunability at a multiwatt level (more than 4 W over 50 nm and 60 nm, respectively for Yb:LSO and Yb:YSO). PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Pk; 42.70.Hj     

Time evolution of the electronic structure of 1T-TaS2 through the insulator-metal transition

Femtosecond time-resolved photoemission is used to investigate the time evolution of electronic structure in the Mott insulator 1T-TaS2. A collapse of the electronic gap is observed within 100 femtoseconds after optical excitation. The photoemission spectra and the spectral function calculated by dynamical mean field theory show that this insulator-metal transition is driven solely by hot electrons. A coherently excited lattice displacement results in a periodic shift of the spectra lasting for 20 ps without perturbing the insulating phase. This capability to disentangle electronic and phononic excitations opens new directions to study electron correlation in solids.     

Stretcher-free high energy nonlinear amplification of femtosecond pulses in rod-type fibers

We report on the study of direct amplification of femtosecond pulses in an 80 mum core diameter microstructured Yb-doped rod-type fiber amplifier in the nonlinear regime. The system includes a compact single grating compressor for the compensation of the small dispersion in the amplifier. With a 1250 line/mm (l/mm) grating-based compressor, pulses as short as 49 fs with 870 nJ pulse energy and 12 MW peak power are obtained. Alternatively, the use of a 1740 l/mm grating allows the production of higher quality pulses of 70 fs, 1.25 microJ pulse energy, and 16 MW peak power.     

Temporal cleaning of a high-energy fiber-based ultrafast laser using cross-polarized wave generation

We report the use of cross-polarized wave generation to perform both pulse shortening and temporal cleaning of a high-energy ytterbium-doped fiber-based femtosecond laser system. The nonlinear processes allow both a highly efficient nonlinear conversion of 20% and a large compression ratio of 3.5, with inherently improved coherent and incoherent contrasts. This results in the generation of 37 μJ, 115 fs pulses at a repetition rate of 100 kHz with high temporal quality.