How to measure the micromaser spectrum in the trapping state regime

We show how our recently proposed scheme for the measurement of the micromaser linewidth, which relates the phase diffusion dynamics of the cavity field to the population statistics of probe atoms, can be applied in the presence of trapping states, where the phase diffusion approximation does not strictly hold. This should allow the observation of the peculiar linewidth oscillations versus atomic pumping which are expected in this regime, and whose origin lies in the quantum nature of the cavity field.

Enhanced proton beam collimation in the ultra-intense short pulse regime

The collimation of proton beams accelerated during ultra-intense laser irradiation of thin aluminum foils was measured experimentally whilst varying laser contrast. Increasing the laser contrast using a double plasma mirror system resulted in a marked decrease in proton beam divergence (20° to <10°), and the enhanced collimation persisted over a wide range of target thicknesses (50 nm–6 µm), with an increased flux towards thinner targets. Supported by numerical simulation, the larger beam divergence at low contrast is attributed to the presence of a significant plasma scale length on the target front surface. This alters the fast electron generation and injection into the target, affecting the resultant sheath distribution and dynamics at the rear target surface. This result demonstrates that careful control of the laser contrast will be important for future laser-driven ion applications in which control of beam divergence is crucial.

Harmonic generation by noble-gas atoms in the near-IR regime using ab initio time-dependent R-matrix theory

We demonstrate the capability of ab initio time-dependent R-matrix theory to obtain accurate harmonic generation spectra of noble-gas atoms at near-IR wavelengths between 1200 and 1800 nm and peak intensities up to 1.8 × 10^(14) W/cm^(2). To accommodate the excursion length of the ejected electron, we use an angular-momentum expansion up to Lmax=279. The harmonic spectra show evidence of atomic structure through the presence of a Cooper minimum in harmonic generation for Kr, and of multielectron interaction through the giant resonance for Xe. The theoretical spectra agree well with those obtained experimentally.

Electronic voting in the French legislative elections of 2012

This chapter presents an analysis of the unprecedented use of electronic voting by expatriates during the French 2012 legislative elections, when they elected their own representatives (referred to here as ‘deputies’), to the National Assembly in Paris for the first time, in 11 newly created overseas constituencies.
The study is presented within the broader perspective of electronic voting in France more generally, and in the historical context of extra-territorial voting by French expatriates. The authors discuss the main issues and controversies that arose during the 2012 elections, and in a final section analyse the results. The authors conclude by drawing attention to recent developments in electronic voting in France since the 2012 elections, which suggest that although there was much criticism expressed by experts of electronic voting as to the security and transparency of the system used, the official discourse that acclaimed the experience as a success, appears to have convinced its target audience.

Moving beyond the rhetoric of provocation: the French and World War II in the novels of the Hussards (1949-1954)

In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, only those who had opposed the Germans or were perceived to have done so could freely express themselves. Soon, however, three young writers clearly leaning to the right of the political spectrum – Antoine Blondin, Roger Nimier and Jacques Laurent – dared to challenge their narratives in a series of provocative novels published between 1949 and 1954. Quickly referred to as the Hussards after the publication in 1952 of a famous essay by Bernard Frank, these writers momentarily occupied the literary space left vacant by their older peers. Without denying the provocative, political and subversive dimensions of the Hussards’ war novels, this article will argue that their success was mainly due to the fact that they were largely in line – and not in contradiction – with the ‘horizon of expectations’ of their time (Jauss, 1982).

Beam profiles of proton and carbon ions in the relativistic transparency regime

Ion acceleration from relativistic laser solid interactions has been of particular interest over the last decade. While beam profiles have been studied for target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA), such profiles have yet to be described for other mechanisms. Here, experimental data is presented, investigating ion beam profiles from acceleration governed by relativistic transparent laser plasma interaction. The beam shape of carbon C6+ ions and protons has been measured simultaneously with a wide angle spectrometer. It was found that ion beams deviate from the typical Gaussian-like shape found with TNSA and that the profile is governed by electron dynamics in the volumetric laser-plasma interaction with a relativistically transparent plasma; due to the ponderomotive force electrons are depleted from the center of the laser axis and form lobes affecting the ion beam structure. The results are in good agreement with high resolution three-dimensional-VPIC simulations and can be used as a new tool to experimentally distinguish between different acceleration mechanisms.

Development of a biocidal treatment regime to inhibit biological growths on cultural heritage: BIODAM

Existing chemical treatments to prevent biological damage to monuments often involve considerable amounts of potentially dangerous and even poisonous biocides. The scientific approach described in this paper aims at a drastic reduction in the concentration of biocide applications by a polyphasic approach of biocides combined with cell permeabilisers, polysaccharide and pigment inhibitors and a photodynamic treatment. A variety of potential agents were screened to determine the most effective combination. Promising compounds were tested under laboratory conditions with cultures of rock deteriorating bacteria, algae, cyanobacteria and fungi. A subsequent field trial involved two sandstone types with natural biofilms. These were treated with multiple combinations of chemicals and exposed to three different climatic conditions. Although treatments proved successful in the laboratory, field trials were inconclusive and further testing will be required to determine the most effective treatment regime. While the most effective combination of chemicals and their application methodology is still being optimised, results to date indicate that this is a promising and effective treatment for the control of a wide variety of potentially damaging organisms colonising stone substrates

Wahrnehmungs- und Betätigungsformen des Vertrauens im deutsch-französischen Vergleich:Representations, Forms and practice of Trust in French and German comparison

Thomas Würtenberger, Dieter K. Tscheulin, Jean-Claude Usunier, Dominique Jeannerod, Eric Davoine (Hrsg.):
Wahrnehmungs- und Betätigungsformen des Vertrauens im deutsch-französischen Vergleich
Berlin, Berlin GmbH, 2002

Social Services of General Interest: The EU Competence Regime and a Constitution of Social Governance

In discussing the potential role of the EU, the Member States, their composite parts and civil society organisations in establishing social services of general interest at sub-national, national, transnational and EU wide levels, this chapter explores the EU competence regime for social services of general interest. Its analysis contradicts a tendency in academic writing to demand protection of national prerogatives for shaping welfare states against EU intervention at all costs, because this would be counterproductive for the progress of the EU project. It submits that an EU constitution of social governance should create mixed responsibilities so that the EU, states and civil society actors support each other in creating preconditions for social integration in the EU. It uses the field of social services of general interests as an example of applying this general theoretical concept.