Optimization, design and fabrication of a non-cryogenic quantum infrared detector

A study of the optimization of the detectivity of a mid infrared double heterostructure photovoltaic detector is proposed. Simple approximate analytic expressions for the dark current are compared with full numerical calculations, and give physical insight on the mechanisms dominating the dark current. The analysis is performed step by step, from a simple p–n junction to the full double heterostructure. The influence of temperature, barrier band gap energy in a double heterostructure, doping density in the active region, on diffusion and generation–recombination mechanisms is analyzed. It is shown how the performances of a double heterostructure photovoltaic detector can be improved by a controlled doping the active region. Nevertheless, its development is still limited by the difficulties occurring during device processing. For example, the use of dry etching for the processing of InAs_0.91Sb_0.09 p–i–n photovoltaic detectors induces a strong leakage current along the mesa edge. In this letter, we show an improvement of the R₀A characteristic by several orders of magnitude at low temperature by using an Ion Beam Etching (IBE) followed by a wet chemical etching. This optimized and reliable device processing allows us to demonstrate that the detector performance is actually limited by the diffusion current of holes. Finally, we discuss the ability of an n-type barrier made of InAs/AlSb super-lattice to avoid hole diffusion and to improve the R₀A characteristic of these detectors. To cite this article: B. Vinter et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

The first metal-free water-soluble cryptophane-111

Cryptophane-111 is one of the best candidates for (129)Xe MRI-based applications. Herein, we report the first metal-free and water-soluble cryptophane-111 core which involves an efficient and unusual post-synthetic sulfonation procedure.     

Textural properties of synthetic nano-calcite produced by hydrothermal carbonation of calcium hydroxide

The hydrothermal carbonation of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) at high pressure of CO₂ (initial P_CO2=55 bar) and moderate to high temperature (30 and 90 °C) was used to synthesize fine particles of calcite. This method allows a high carbonation efficiency (about 95% of Ca(OH)₂–CaCO₃ conversion), a significant production rate (48 kg/m³ h) and high purity of product (about 96%). However, the various initial physicochemical conditions have a strong influence on the crystal size and surface area of the synthesized calcite crystals. The present study is focused on the estimation of the textural properties of synthesized calcite (morphology, specific surface area, average particle size, particle size distribution and particle size evolution with reaction time), using Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. This study demonstrate that the pressure, the temperature and the dissolved quantity of CO₂ have a significant effect on the average particle size, specific surface area, initial rate of precipitation, and on the morphology of calcium carbonate crystals. In contrast, these PTx conditions used herein have an insignificant effect on the carbonation efficiency of Ca(OH)₂.

Finally, the results presented here demonstrate that nano-calcite crystals with high specific surface area (S_BET=6–10 m²/g) can be produced, with a high potential for industrial applications such as adsorbents and/or filler in papermaking industry.     

Phenomenology of photon-e ± collisions

The physical interest ofγe ^± collisions is examined. A basic formalism is established. Crosssections are computed with general couplings and polarization states. Illustrations are given for QED tests, Z⁰ andW ^± production, various electro-weak processes including γγ collisions and the search for new currents and particles.     

Stress-driven phase transformation and the roughening of solid-solid interfaces

The application of stress to multiphase solid-liquid systems often results in morphological instabilities. Here we propose a solid-solid phase transformation model for roughening instability in the interface between two porous materials with different porosities under normal compression stresses. This instability is triggered by a finite jump in the free energy density across the interface, and it leads to the formation of fingerlike structures aligned with the principal direction of compaction. The model is proposed as an explanation for the roughening of stylolites-irregular interfaces associated with the compaction of sedimentary rocks that fluctuate about a plane perpendicular to the principal direction of compaction.     

General description of new physics in t,b and boson interactions and its unitarity constraints

We list all possible dim = 6 CP conserving and SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) gauge invariant interactions, which could be generated in case no new particles would be reachable in the future Colliders, and the only observable New Physics would be in the form of new interactions affecting the scalar sector and the quarks of the third family. These interactions are described by operators involving the standard model scalar field, the quarks of the third family and the gauge bosons. Subsequently, we identify those operators which do not contribute to LEP1 (and lower energy) observables at tree level and are not purely gluonic. Since present measurements do not strongly constrain the couplings of these operators, we derive here the unitarity bounds on them. Finally, in order to get a feeling on the possible physical meaning of the appearance of any of these operators, we identify the operators generated in a class of renormalizable dynamical models which at the TeV scale, are fully described by the SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) gauge group.     

A deformation rig for synchrotron microtomography studies of geomaterials under conditions down to 10 km depth in the Earth

A hard X‐ray transparent triaxial deformation apparatus, called HADES, has been developed by Sanchez Technologies and installed on the microtomography beamline ID19 at the European Radiation Synchrotron Facility (ESRF). This rig can be used for time‐lapse microtomography studies of the deformation of porous solids (rocks, ceramics, metallic foams) at conditions of confining pressure to 100 MPa, axial stress to 200 MPa, temperature to 250°C, and controlled aqueous fluid flow. It is transparent to high‐energy X‐rays above 60 keV and can be used for in situ studies of coupled processes that involve deformation and chemical reactions. The rig can be installed at synchrotron radiation sources able to deliver a high‐flux polychromatic beam in the hard X‐ray range to acquire tomographic data sets with a voxel size in the range 0.7–6.5 µm in less than two minutes.     

Signatures of anomalous couplings in boson pair production throughγγ collisions

We discuss possible New Physics (NP) effects on the processesγγ →W ⁺ W ⁻,ZZ, Zγ, γγ, HH which are observable inγγ collisions. Such collisions may be achieved through laser backscattering at a high energye ⁺ e ⁻ linear collider. To the extent that no new particles will be directly produced in the future colliders, it has already been emphasized that the new physics possibly hidden in the bosonic interactions, may be represented by the sevendim=6 operatorsO _W,O _BΦ,O _WΦ,O _UB,O _UW and (the last two ones being CP-violating). In this paper, we show that the above processes are sensitive to NP scales at the several TeV range, and we subsequently discuss the possibility to disentangle the effects of the various operators. Partially supported by the EC contract CHRX-CT94-0579     

Magnetic and in vitro heating properties of implants formed in situ from injectable formulations and containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) embedded in silica microparticles for magnetically induced local hyperthermia

The biological and therapeutic responses to hyperthermia, when it is envisaged as an anti-tumor treatment modality, are complex and variable. Heat delivery plays a critical role and is counteracted by more or less efficient body cooling, which is largely mediated by blood flow. In the case of magnetically mediated modality, the delivery of the magnetic particles, most often superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), is also critically involved. We focus here on the magnetic characterization of two injectable formulations able to gel in situ and entrap silica microparticles embedding SPIONs. These formulations have previously shown suitable syringeability and intratumoral distribution in vivo. The first formulation is based on alginate, and the second on a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVAL). Here we investigated the magnetic properties and heating capacities in an alternating magnetic field (141 kHz, 12 mT) for implants with increasing concentrations of magnetic microparticles. We found that the magnetic properties of the magnetic microparticles were preserved using the formulation and in the wet implant at 37 °C, as in vivo. Using two orthogonal methods, a common SLP (20 W g⁻¹) was found after weighting by magnetic microparticle fraction, suggesting that both formulations are able to properly carry the magnetic microparticles in situ while preserving their magnetic properties and heating capacities.