Exact partition functions and correlation functions of multiple Hamiltonian walks on the Manhattan lattice

This is a general and exact study of multiple Hamiltonian walks (HAW) filling the two-dimensional (2D) Manhattan lattice. We generalize the original exact solution for a single HAW by Kasteleyn to a system ofmultiple closed walks, aimed at modeling a polymer melt. In 2D, two basic nonequivalent topological situations are distinguished. (1) the Hamiltonian loops are allrooted andcontractible to a point:adjacent one to another, and, on a torus,homotopic to zero. (2) the loops can encircle one another and, on a torus, canwind around it. Forcase 1, the grand canonical partition function and multiple correlation functions are calculated exactly as those of multiple rooted spanningtrees or of a massive 2Dfree field, critical at zero mass (zero fugacity). The conformally invariant continuum limit on a Manhattantorus is studied in detail. The melt entropy is calculated exactly. We also consider the relevant effect of free boundary conditions. The number of single HAWs on Manhattan lattices with other perimeter shapes (rectangular, Kagomé, triangular, and arbitrary) is studied and related to the spectral theory of the Dirichlet Laplacian. This allows the calculation of exact shape-dependent configuration exponents y. An exact surface critical exponent is obtained. Forcase 2, nested and winding Hamiltonian circuits are allowed. An exact equivalence to thecritical Q-state Potts model exists, whereQ ^1/2 is the walk fugacity. The Hamiltonian system is then always critical (forQ<-4). The exact critical exponents, in infinite numbers, are universal and identical to those of theO(n=Q ^1/2) model in its low-temperature phase, i.e. are those of dense polymers. The exact critical partition functions on the torus are given from conformai invariance theory. These models 1 and 2 yield the two first exactly solved models of polymer melts.     

Polarized light and X-ray precession study of the ferroelastic domains of YBa2Cu3O7-δ

The ferroelastic domains of the orthorhombic phase of YBa₂Cu₃O_7- have been observed in polarized light on ceramics and single crystals. By combining polarized light microscopy with the X-ray precession technique, the correlation of the orientation of the orthorhombica- andb-axes with that of thea-b-plane bireflectance, reflection dichroism, transmission dichroism (at a thickness of about 1m), reflection tints generated with compensators and upon uncrossing of polars, as well as the orientation of etch pits has been realized on ferroelastic single domains, bi-domains and more complicated domain patterns. Four ferroelastic orthorhombic domain states have been identified, at variance with former group theoretical considerations, predicting only two states. Ensembles of lamellar domains beyond optical resolution generate strong bireflectance with principal axes rotated by 45° relative to the truea, b-directions.     

Anderson localization for one- and quasi-one-dimensional systems

We prove almost-sure exponential localization of all the eigenfunctions and nondegeneracy of the spectrum for random discrete Schrödinger operators on one- and quasi-one-dimensional lattices. This paper provides a much simpler proof of these results than previous approaches and extends to a much wider class of systems; we remark in particular that the singular continuous spectrum observed in some quasiperiodic systems disappears under arbitrarily small local perturbations of the potential. Our results allow us to prove that, e.g., for strong disorder, the smallest positive Lyapunov exponent of some products of random matrices does not vanish as the size of the matrices increases to infinity.     

Etude d'impulsions lumineuses breves par interferometrie a deux ondes

We have studied the evolution of the light transmitted through matter in which an optical breakdown is taking place. With a two-waves interferometer made a birefringent plate between polarizers we get informations about the time correlation function of the fields. With an interferometer made of two identical harmonic generating plates separated by a dispersion medium, we learn about the correlation function of the square of the fields. Both systems act as spectral filters with a notch cosine-shaped centered at the incident frequency. We have also observed a transient angular spreading of the beam not previously emphasized which brings a further complication in the picture.     

On the convergence of the Zassenhaus formula

The domain of convergence of the Zassenhaus formula in a Banach algebra is studied. This domain is shown to be strictly larger than the one which was already known.     

Fluctuation susceptibility relations for classical spin systems

We prove identities between integrated Ursell functions and derivatives of the pressure in the thermodynamic limit, for multicomponent classical spin systems which obey the Lee-Yang theorem and some form of Gaussian domination, when the susceptibility is finite (T>T _c). Following Refs. 3 and 4, we view the moment generating function of the magnetization as the inverse of an infinitely divisible characteristic function. Fluctuation susceptibility relations of all orders then follow by bounding the corresponding cumulants, taken in zero external field. High-order cumulants are bounded in terms of the susceptibility using Gaussian and Simon's inequalities for short-range interactions.     

Ultrasonic wave propagation in heterogeneous solid media: theoretical analysis and experimental validation

This research deals with the ultrasonic characterization of thermal damage in concrete. This damage leads to the appearance of microcracks which then evolve in terms of volume rate and size in the material. The scattering of ultrasonic waves from the inclusions is present in this type of medium. The propagation of the longitudinal wave in the heterogeneous media is studied via a homogenization model that integrates the multiple scattering of waves. The model allows us to determine the phase velocity and the attenuation according to the elements which make the medium. Simulations adapted to the concrete are developed in order to test the responses of the model. These behaviors are validated by an experimental study: the measurements of phase velocity and attenuation are performed in immersion, with a comparison method, on a frequency domain which ranges from 160 kHz to 1.3 MHz. The analysis of different theoretical and experimental results obtained on cement-based media leads to the model validation, on the phase velocity behavior, in the case of a damage simulated by expanded polystyrene spheres in granular media. The application to the case of a thermally damaged concrete shows a good qualitative agreement for the changes in velocity and attenuation.     

Numerical discrimination of intrachannel cross-phase modulation and intrachannel four-wave mixing and their respective effect on 40 Gbit/s transmissions

We propose a numerical method to accurately discriminate the influence of the different intrachannel nonlinear effects occurring in 40 Gbit/s optical transmissions, following an analogy with methods used to discriminate WDM interchannel effects. In contrast to other studies showing the predominance of intrachannel cross-phase modulation when low-dispersion fibers are used, in our study intrachannel four-wave mixing is the most penalizing effect in all investigated cases.