Intracavity phase interferometry: frequency combs sensor inside a laser cavity

In traditional interferometric measurements, a physical quantity that changes the phase of a resonator is monitored through a change of its transmission. Interferometry inside a laser exploits the ultimate Q‐factor of that resonator, and converts the phase to be measured into a frequency. A mode‐locked laser with two intracavity pulses emits two frequency combs of the same repetition rate. The quantity to be measured (a sub‐nano displacement, a nonlinear index, an acceleration or rotation, a magnetic or electric field) produces a minute phase change ( rad) in one of the two intracavity pulses, which is converted into a frequency, measured by beating the two pulse trains emitted by the laser. This paper presents methods of operating mode‐locked lasers in which two independent pulses circulate, producing two frequency combs of the same repetition rate. Various examples of physical quantities that can be measured through this technique are presented.     

New promising bulk thermoelectrics: intermetallics,pnictides and chalcogenides

The need of alternative “green” energy sources has recently renewed the interest in thermoelectric (TE) materials, which can directly convert heat to electricity or, conversely, electric current to cooling. The thermoelectric performance of a material can be estimated by the so-called figure of merit, zT = σ α ² T/λ (α the Seebeck coefficient, σ α ² the power factor, σ and λ the electrical and thermal conductivity, respectively), that depends only on the material. In the middle 1990s the “phonon glass and electron crystal” concept was developed, which, together with a better understanding of the parameters that affect zT and the use of new synthesis methods and characterization techniques, has led to the discovery of improved bulk thermoelectric materials that start being implemented in applications. During last decades, special focus has been made on skutterudites, clathrates, half-Heusler alloys, Si_1?x Ge _x-, Bi₂Te_3- and PbTe-based materials. However, many other materials, in particular based on intermetallics, pnictides, chalcogenides, oxides, etc. are now emerging as potential advanced bulk thermoelectrics. Herein we discuss the current understanding in this field, with special emphasis on the strategies to reduce the lattice part of the thermal conductivity and maximize the power factor, and review those new potential thermoelectric bulk materials, in particular based on intermetallics, pnictides and chalcogenides. A final chapter, discussing different shaping techniques leading to bulk materials (eventually from nanostructured TE materials), is also included.     

Tri-polarized spectrum sensing based on an experimental outdoor-to-indoor cognitive-radio scenario

Compared to classical spatially separated multiple antenna system, cross-polarized co-located antenna systems are an interesting way to reduce equipment size while reducing the inter-antenna correlation. In this paper the spectrum sensing of a Cognitive Radio (CR) system taking advantage of polarization diversity under Rayleigh fading is investigated and compared to an equivalent system using spatial diversity. This analysis is based on a theoretical formulation applied to a real-world scenario. For this purpose, an outdoor-to-indoor measurement campaign at a frequency of 3.5 GHz is realized, where an indoor secondary user senses the signals received from an outdoor primary base station. The signals received at each antenna are first combined and then applied to an energy detector. The theoretical expressions are simulated in the measurement context. The detection probability behavior as a function of distance between the Primary Transmitter (PTx) and the Secondary Terminal (STE) and the inter-antenna correlation effect on the sensing performance are studied.     

Conformational Analysis of Baclofen Analogues by 1H and 13C NMR: Phaclofen,Saclofen, and Hydroxy-Saclofen. Influence of the Anionic Moiety

The conformations of three analogues of baclofen 1: phaclofen, saclofen, and hydroxy-saclofen 2–4, potent GABA_B antagonists, in solution (D₂O) are estimated from high-resolution (300 MHz) H NMR coupling data. Conformations and populations of conformers are calculated by means of a modified Karplus-like relationship for the vicinal coupling constants. H NMR spectral analysis evidences how 1–3 keep in solution the preferred a conformation around C3-C4 bond. A partial rotation is set up around C2–C3 bond (the conformations about C2–C3 are all highly populated in solution) particularly for 2 and 3 while 1 shows a relative preferred a conformation. This evidences the influence of the anionic moiety.     

Study of the spectrum of CH335C1 between 4250 and 4600 CM?1: thev2+v4 andv4+v5 rovibrational bands

About 2500 lines of CH₃ ³⁵Cl have been assigned. The strong xy Coriolis resonance between thev ₂ andv ₅ modes is quite visible between thev ₄+v ₄ ^±1 perpendicular band, centered around 4383 cm^–1, and thev ₄ ^±1 +v ₅ ^±1 perpendicular component, centered around 4475 cm^–1, with a crossing of upper energy levels allowing the observation of lines which are normally forbidden. Although not yet observed with certainty, because of the great density of lines of the spectrum, thev ₄ ¹ +v ₅ ^±1 parallel component is nevertheless detectable by its effects onv ₂+v ₄ ^±1 which is linked by Coriolis resonance to both components ofv ₄+v ₅. Moreover the spectrum is much complicated by many other resonances with weak bands which occur at level crossings: it is the case ofv ₂+3v ₆ ^±1 , connected tov ₂+v ₄ ^±1 by the well known Darling Dennison resonance which couplesv ₄ ^±1 and 3v ₆ ^±1 , and also ofv ₅ ^±1 +3v ₆ ^±1 connected tov ₄ ^±1 +v ₅ ^±1 by the same resonance; but this last case is complicated by an anharmonic resonance betweenv ₅ ^±1 +3v ₆ ^±1 and 2v ₃+3v ₆ ¹ . Two more perturbations occur on the K=–1 side ofv ₂+v ₄: a weak Coriolis resonance gives rise to one subband ofv ₁+v ₂ at a level crossing withv ₂+v ₄, and thev ₁+v ₅ band (linked of course tov ₁+v ₂ by the Coriolis resonance between thev ₂ andv ₅ modes) is quite visible and perturbs several subbands ofv ₂+v ₄ of high values of K through an anharmonic resonance. Moreover, the complex (3v ₅ ^±1 ,v+2v ₅ ⁰ , 2v ₂+v ₅ ^±1 , 3v ₂,v ₂+2v ₅ ^±2 , 3v ₅ ^±3 ) system of Coriolis-connected bands is linked to the bands studied in the present work by two Fermi resonances: one betweenv ₂+2v ₅ ⁰ andv ₁+v ₂, and the other one betweenv ₁+v ₅ and 3v ₅ ^±1 , whose several subbands have been observed on the low part of the spectrum. The values of all the band centres and of the different coupling constants have been estimated, but all these interactions make the line assignments and the interpretation of the spectrum very difficult.     

Parametric generation of twin photons in vertical triple microcavities

We report the realization of a monolithic vertical-cavity, surface emitting micro-optical parametric conversion nanostructure, triply resonant with the parametric frequencies, allowing parametric oscillation with ultra-low pump power threshold. The photonic phase-space naturally provides triple resonance for the parametric frequencies, together with built-in cavity phase-matching for the pump wave at normal incidence. Parametric oscillation is observed in both the strong and weak exciton–photon coupling regime, allowing a high operating temperature. Signal and idler beams can be collected at 0° or at finite angles. The OPO threshold is low enough to envisage the realization of an all-semiconductor electrically-pumped micro-parametric oscillator. To cite this article: C. Diederichs et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

Improvement of piezoelectric transformer performances using SSHI and SSHI-max methods

The piezoelectric transformers reach densities of power more significant than their magnetic counterparts. However, one of the principal factors limiting the density of power is the acceptable maximum deformation by material constituting the transformer. The heating of the piezoelectric transformers is mainly of mechanical origin. This heating generates a degradation of the characteristics which in its turn generates an additional heating being able to lead to a phenomenon of thermal avalanche. In this work, two nonlinear methods [synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) and SSHI-max] have been explored to improve the performance of the Rosen transformer basing on the tension generated by the secondary so as to increase the capacity of mechanic-electric conversion. The simulation results show that SSHI and SSHI-max techniques significantly increase the capacity of mechanic-electric conversion of inserts stuck on a vibrating structure and consequently, the power recovered in electric form. The comparative results of voltage gain, efficiency and the transmitted power of the transformer, before and after SSHI-max and SSHI control are given. These ones indicated that the two nonlinear techniques are promising as applications to improve the performances of the piezo-transformers.     

Study of the ν2 + ν3 and 2ν6 infrared bands of CH379Br and CH381Br

The rotational analysis of the ν₂ + ν₃ band, centered around 1912 cm^?1, and of both components 2ν₆^±2 and 2ν₆⁰, centered about 1912 and 1904 cm^?1, respectively, has been carried out from a Fourier transform spectrum having a resolution limit of 0.005 cm^?1. A standard deviation of about 0.001 cm^?1 was obtained for about 750 lines of the unperturbed 2ν₆^±2 component for both isotopic species. The ν₂ + ν₃ band, stronger than 2ν₆^±2, is perturbed by two resonances: a Coriolis resonance with the very weak ν₃ + ν₅ band, no line of which has been observed, and an anharmonic resonance with 2ν₆⁰, only four K subbands of which have been observed. For both isotopic species, a standard deviation of about 0.002 cm^?1 has been obtained for about 750 lines of ν₂ + ν₃ and 2ν₆⁰.     

The equation of state of solids

An equation of state for solids, in reduced variables, is obtained within the context of a system-independent formulation of the thermodynamics of high pressures. This formulation is valid for materials obeying a linear relationship between shock and particle velocities. An adequate set of scaling factors for pressure, compression, specific energy, and temperature, is first introduced. A modified Mie-Grüneisen equation, as well as many other thermodynamic relationships and coefficients, are then expressed in terms of reduced variables. Explicit expressions for the temperature along the Hugoniot, and for the equation of state, are obtained. It is also shown that when given in their reduced form, each of the two thermodynamic coefficients appearing in the equation of state can be considered as having the same constant value for many different materials. The possibility and convenience of using a “standard material” is discussed. Numerical results obtained using this reduced variables formalism are in good agreement with those computed or measured, by different authors, for various materials over a wide range of pressures. This is a good indication of the “universality” of the reduced equations obtained, and of the usefulness of the formalism.