arXiv subjects

Michael Sarrazin

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Sarrazin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

First-principle calculation of solar cell efficiency under incoherent illumination

Because of the temporal incoherence of sunlight, solar cells efficiency should depend on the degree of coherence of the incident light. However, numerical computation methods, which are used to optimize these devices, fundamentally consider fully coherent light. Hereafter, we show that the incoherent efficiency of solar cells can be easily analytically calculated. The incoherent efficiency is simply derived from the coherent one thanks to a convolution product with a function characterizing the incoherent light. Our approach is neither heuristic nor empiric but is deduced from first-principle, i.e. Maxwell's equations. Usually, in order to reproduce the incoherent behavior, statistical methods requiring a high number of numerical simulations are used. With our method, such approaches are not required. Our results are compared with those from previous works and good agreement is found.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Brane matter, hidden or mirror matter, their various avatars and mixings: many faces of the same physics

Numerous papers deal with the phenomenology related to photon-hidden photon kinetic mixing and with the effects of a mass mixing on particle-hidden particle oscillations. In addition, recent papers underline the existence of a geometrical mixing between branes which would allow a matter swapping between branes. These approaches and their phenomenologies are reminiscent of each other but rely on different physical concepts. In the present paper, we suggest there is no rivalry between these models, which are probably many faces of the same physics. We discuss some phenomenological consequences of a global framework.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Optimal overlayer inspired by Photuris firefly improves light-extraction efficiency of existing light-emitting diodes

In this paper the design, fabrication and characterization of a bioinspired overlayer deposited on a GaN LED is described. The purpose of this overlayer is to improve light extraction into air from the diode's high refractive-index active material. The layer design is inspired by the microstructure found in the firefly Photuris sp. The actual dimensions and material composition have been optimized to take into account the high refractive index of the GaN diode stack. This two-dimensional pattern contrasts other designs by its unusual profile, its larger dimensions and the fact that it can be tailored to an existing diode design rather than requiring a complete redesign of the diode geometry. The gain of light extraction reaches values up to 55% with respect to the reference unprocessed LED.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Search for an optimal light-extracting surface derived from the morphology of a firefly lantern

Fireflies lighten up our warm summer evenings. There is more physic behind these little animals than anyone of us could imagine. In this paper we analyze from a physical point of view one structure found on the firefly lantern, the one which best improves light extraction. Moreover, simulations will be done to show why this specific structure may be more effective than a "human-thought" one.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Experimental limits on neutron disappearance into another braneworld

Recent theoretical works have shown that matter swapping between two parallel braneworlds could occur under the influence of magnetic vector potentials. In our visible world, galactic magnetism possibly produces a huge magnetic potential. As a consequence, this paper discusses the possibility to observe neutron disappearance into another braneworld in certain circumstances. The setup under consideration involves stored ultracold neutrons - in a vessel - which should exhibit a non-zero probability p to disappear into an invisible brane at each wall collision. An upper limit of p is assessed based on available experimental results. This value is then used to constrain the parameters of the theoretical model. Possible improvements of the experiments are discussed, including enhanced stimulated swapping by artificial means.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Matter swapping between two braneworlds from the equivalence between two-brane worlds and noncommutative two-sheeted spacetimes

It is shown that a two-brane world made of two domain walls can be seen as a noncommutative two-sheeted spacetime under certain assumptions. This equivalence implies a model-independent phenomenology: Matter swapping between the two 3-branes (or sheets) is predicted through fermionic oscillations induced by magnetic vector potentials. This phenomenon, which might be experimentally studied, could reveal the existence of extra dimensions in a new and very affordable way.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Laser frequency combs and ultracold neutrons to probe braneworlds through induced matter swapping between branes

This paper investigates a new experimental framework to test the braneworld hypothesis. Recent theoretical results have shown the possibility of matter exchange between branes under the influence of suitable magnetic vector potentials. It is shown that the required conditions might be achieved with present-day technology. The experiment uses a source of pulsed and coherent electromagnetic radiation and relies on the Hansch frequency comb technique well-known in ultrahigh-precision spectroscopy. A good matter candidate for testing the hypothesis is a polarized ultracold neutron gas for which the number of swapped neutrons is measured.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Equivalence between domain-walls and "noncommutative" two-sheeted spacetimes: Model-independent matter swapping between branes

We report a mathematical equivalence between certain models of universe relying on domain-walls and noncommutative geometries. It is shown that a two-brane world made of two domain-walls can be seen as a "noncommutative" two-sheeted spacetime under certain assumptions. This equivalence also implies a model-independent phenomenology which is presently studied. Matter swapping between the two branes (or sheets) is predicted through fermionic oscillations induced by magnetic vector potentials. This phenomenon, which might be experimentally studied, could reveal the existence of extra dimensions in a new and accessible way.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

Nanomorphology of the blue iridescent wings of a giant tropical wasp, "Megascolia procer javanensis" (Hymenoptera)

The wings of the giant wasp "Megascolia Procer Javanensis" are opaque and iridescent. The origin of the blue-green iridescence is studied in detail, using reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and physical modelling. It is shown that the structure responsible for the iridescence is a single homogeneous transparent chitin layer covering the whole surface of each wing. The opacity is essentially due to the presence of melanin in the stratified medium which forms the mechanical core of the wing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2007

Bounded modes to the rescue of optical transmission

This paper presents a brief survey of the evolution of knowledge about diffraction gratings. After recalling some basic facts, historically and physically, we introduce the concept of Wood anomalies. Next, we present some recent works in order to introduce the role of bounded modes in transmission gratings. The consequences of these recent results are then introduced. This paper is a secondary publication, published in Europhysics News (EPN 38, 3 (2007) 27-31). In the present version, some additional notes have been added with related references.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2007

Optical structure and function of the white filamentary hair covering the edelweiss bracts

The optical properties of the inflorescence of the high-altitude ''Leontopodium nivale'' subsp. ''alpinum'' (edelweiss) is investigated, in relation with its submicrometer structure, as determined by scanning electron microscopy. The filaments forming the hair layer have been found to exhibit an internal structure which may be one of the few examples of a photonic structure found in a plant. Measurements of light transmission through a self-supported layer of hair pads taken from the bracts supports the idea that the wooly layer covering the plant absorbs near-ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the cellular tissue. Calculations based on a photonic-crystal model provides insight on the way radiation can be absorbed by the filamentary threads.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2007

Plausible "faster-than-light" displacements in a two-sheeted spacetime

In this paper, we explore the implications of a two-point discretization of an extra-dimension in a five-dimensional quantum setup. We adopt a pragmatic attitude by considering the dynamics of spin-half particles through the simplest possible extension of the existing Dirac and Pauli equations. It is shown that the benefit of this approach is to predict new physical phenomena while maintaining the number of constitutive hypothesis at minimum. As the most striking feature of the model, we demonstrate the possibility of fermionic matter oscillations between the two four-dimensional sections and hyper-fast displacements in case of asymmetric warping (without conflicting special relativity). This result, similar to previous reported ones in brane-world theories, is completely original as it is derived by using quantum mechanics only without recourse to general relativity and bulk geodesics calculation. The model allows causal contact between normally disconnected regions. If it proves to be physically founded, its practical aspects could have deep implications for the search of extra-dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Artificially induced positronium oscillations in a two-sheeted spacetime: consequences on the observed decay processes

Following recent theoretical results, it is suggested that positronium (Ps) might undergo spontaneous oscillations between two 4D spacetime sheets whenever subjected to constant irrotational magnetic vector potentials. We show that these oscillations that would come together with o-Ps/p-Ps oscillations should have important consequences on Ps decay rates. Experimental setup and conditions are also suggested for demonstrating in non accelerator experiments this new invisible decay mode.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Matter localization and resonant deconfinement in a two-sheeted spacetime

In recent papers, a model of a two-sheeted spacetime M4XZ2 was introduced and the quantum dynamics of massive fermions was studied in this framework. In the present study, we show that the physical predictions of the model are perfectly consistent with observations and most important, it can solve the puzzling problem of the four-dimensional localization of the fermion species in multidimensional spacetimes. It is demonstrated that fermion localization on the sheets arises from the combination of the discrete bulk structure and environmental interactions. The mechanism described in this paper can be seen as an alternative to the domain wall localization arising in continuous five dimensional spacetimes. Although tightly constrained, motions between the sheets are, however, not completely prohibited. As an illustration, a resonant mechanism through which fermion oscillations between the sheets might occur is described.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Quantum dynamics of particles in a discrete two-branes world model: Can matter particles exchange occur between branes?

In a recent paper, a model for describing the quantum dynamics of massive particles in a non-commutative two-sheeted spacetime was proposed. This model considers a universe made with two spacetime sheets embedded in a 5D bulk where the fifth dimension is restricted to only two points. It was shown that this construction has several important consequences for the quantum dynamics of massive particles. Most notably, it was demonstrated that a coupling arises between the two sheets allowing matter exchange in presence of intense magnetic vector potentials. In this paper, we show that non-commutative geometry is not absolutely necessary to obtain such a result since a more traditional approach allows one to reach a similar conclusion. The fact that two different approaches provide similar results suggests that standard matter exchange between branes might finally occur contrary to conventional belief.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Quantum dynamics of massive particles in a non-commutative two-sheeted space-time

We study a formal extension of the Dirac equation in the framework of a non-commutative two-sheeted space-time. It is shown that this approach naturally extends the classical Dirac theory by doubling the number of fermionic states, which can then be identified as matter and hidden-matter states. Our model exhibit several interesting features that could have observational consequences. Among them, we predict a small electromagnetic coupling between matter and hidden matter universes which should lead to matter/hidden matter oscillations in presence of intense electromagnetic vector potentials.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Polarization effects in metallic films perforated with a bidimensional array of subwavelength rectangular holes

For several years, periodical arrays of subwavelength cylindrical holes in thin metallic layers have taken a crucial importance in the context of the results reported by Ebbesen et al, on particularly attractive optical transmission experiments. It had been underlined that the zeroth order transmission pattern does not depend on the polarization of the incident light at normal incidence. In the present paper, we show that it is not the case for rectangular holes, by contrast to the case of circular holes. In this context, we suggest a new kind of polarizer that present the advantages brought by the original Ebbesen devices. Assuming the recent technological interest for these kinds of metallic gratings, such a kind of polarizer could lead to new technological applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2005

Non-reciprocal optical reflection from a bidimensional array of subwavelength holes in a metallic film

Using simulations and theoretical arguments we investigate the specular reflection of a perforated gold film deposited on a glass substrate. A square lattice of cylindrical holes is assumed to produce the periodic lateral corrugation needed to hybridize the surface plasmons with radiative states. It is shown that, contrasting transmission approaches, a knowledge of the reflection on either side of the film provides separate information on the gold-vacuum surface plasmons and on the gold-glass interface plasmons. Recent experimental data on a specific implementation of this system are reexamined; these show a good agreement between the measured reflections and the simulations in both directions of incident wave probes. This confirms the importance of taking into account the reflection asymmetry in the far-field assessment of surface plasmons properties.

physics.optics↗