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Pierre Millien

Publications and source records attributed to Pierre Millien.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Non-singular hotspots between closely spaced high-index nanoparticles

We study the concentration of the field between two nearly touching high-index dielectric resonators in three dimensions. The model is a scalar Helmholtz transmission problem in the resonant regime, wherein the wavelength inside the resonators of the same order as their typical diameter. The material contrast enters only a lower-order term of the equation and not its principal part. As a consequence, the gradient of the field stays bounded independently of the distance separating the particles, and does not blow up. Nevertheless, simulations and experiments show that the gradient still concentrates in the gap: as the particles approach, it grows like the inverse of their separation over an intermediate range of distances and then saturates once they are very close. We explain this pre-asymptotic effect through a weak-coupling regime, in which the resonant modes of the pair are perturbations of the modes of each isolated particle. When such a mode keeps a nonzero contrast between the two facing boundaries, a mean value argument across the gap accounts for the growth of the gradient; this requires strengthening the standard spectral perturbation estimates from an average to a pointwise control. The growth stops once the interaction between the particles is no longer weak and the perturbation theory fails. Numerical experiments confirm the transition from amplification to saturation.

math.AP↗
arXiv2025

Probing the speckle to estimate the effective speed of sound, a first step towards quantitative ultrasound imaging

In this paper, we present a mathematical model and analysis for a new experimental method [Bureau and al., arXiv:2409.13901, 2024] for effective sound velocity estimation in medical ultrasound imaging. We perform a detailed analysis of the point spread function of a medical ultrasound imaging system when there is a mismatch between the effective sound speed in the medium and the one used in the backpropagation imaging functional. Based on this analysis, an estimator for the speed of sound error is introduced. Using recent results on stochastic homogenization of the Helmholtz equation, we provide a representation formula for the field scattered by a random multi-scale medium (whose acoustic behavior is similar to a biological tissue) in the time-harmonic regime. We then prove that statistical moments of the imaging function can be accessed from data collected with only one realization of the medium. We show that it is possible to locally extract the point spread function from an image constituted only of speckle and build an estimator for the effective sound velocity in the micro-structured medium. Some numerical illustrations are presented at the end of the paper.

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arXiv2023

Scattered wavefield in the stochastic homogenization regime

In the context of providing a mathematical framework for the propagation of ultrasound waves in a random multiscale medium, we consider the scattering of classical waves (modeled by a divergence form scalar Helmholtz equation) by a bounded object with a random composite micro-structure embedded in an unbounded homogeneous background medium. Using quantitative stochastic homogenization techniques, we provide asymptotic expansions of the scattered field in the background medium with respect to a scaling parameter describing the spatial random oscillations of the micro-structure. Introducing a boundary layer corrector to compensate the breakdown of stationarity assumptions at the boundary of the scattering medium, we prove quantitative $L^2$- and $H^1$- error estimates for the asymptotic first-order expansion. The theoretical results are supported by numerical experiments.

math.AP↗
arXiv2022

Super-localisation of a point-like emitter in a resonant environment : correction of the mirage effect

In this paper, we show that it is possible to overcome one of the fundamental limitations of super-resolution microscopy techniques: the necessity to be in an \emph{optically homogeneous} environment. Using recent modal approximation results we show as a proof of concept that it is possible to recover the position of a single point-like emitter in a \emph{known resonant environment} from far-field measurements with a precision two orders of magnitude below the classical Rayleigh limit. The procedure does not involve solving any partial differential equation, is computationally light (optimisation in $\R^d$ with $d$ of the order of $10$) and therefore suited for the recovery of a very large number of single emitters.

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arXiv2021

Stability for finite element discretization of some elliptic inverse parameter problems from internal data -- application to elastography

In this article, we provide stability estimates for the finite element discretization of a class of inverse parameter problems of the form $-\nabla\cdot(\mu S) = \g f$ in a domain $\Omega$ of $\R^d$. Here $\mu$ is the unknown parameter to recover, the matrix valued function $S$ and the vector valued distribution $\g f$ are known. As uniqueness is not guaranteed in general for this problem, we prove a Lipschitz-type stability estimate in an hyperplane of $L^2(\Omega)$. This stability is obtained through an adaptation of the so-called discrete \emph{inf-sup} constant or LBB constant to a large class of first-order differential operators. We then provide a simple and original discretization based on hexagonal finite element that satisfies the discrete stability condition and shows corresponding numerical reconstructions. The obtained algebraic inversion method is efficient as it does not require any iterative solving of the forward problem and is very general as it does not require any smoothness hypothesis for the data nor any additional information at the boundary.

math.NA↗
arXiv2021

Modal approximation for plasmonic resonators in the time domain: the scalar case

We study the electromagnetic field scattered by a metallic nanoparticle with dispersive material parameters in a resonant regime. We consider the particle placed in a homogeneous medium in a low-frequency regime. We define modes for the non-Hermitian problem as perturbations of electrostatic modes, and obtain a modal approximation of the scattered field in the frequency domain. The poles of the expansion correspond to the eigenvalues of a singular boundary integral operator and are shown to lie in a bounded region near the origin of the lower-half complex plane. Finally, we show that this modal representation gives a very good approximation of the field in the time domain. We present numerical simulations in two dimensions to corroborate our results.

math-ph↗
arXiv2020

Modal approximation for strictly convex plasmonic resonators in the time domain: the Maxwell's equations

We study the possible expansion of the electromagnetic field scattered by a strictly convex metallic nanoparticle with dispersive material parameters placed in a homogeneous medium in a low-frequency regime as a sum of modes oscillating at complex frequencies (diverging at infinity), known in the physics literature as the quasi-normal modes expansion. We show that such an expansion is valid in the static regime and that we can approximate the electric field with a finite number of modes. We then use perturbative spectral theory to show the existence, in a certain regime, of plasmonic resonances as poles of the resolvent for Maxwell's equations with non-zero frequency. We show that, in the time domain, the electric field can be written as a sum of modes oscillating at complex frequencies. We introduce renormalised quantities that do not diverge exponentially at infinity.

math-ph↗
arXiv2020

Mathematical modelling of plasmonic strain sensors

We provide a mathematical analysis for a metasurface constructed of plasmonic nanoparticles mounted periodically on the surface of a microcapsule. We derive an effective transmission condition, which exhibits resonances depending on the inter-particle distance. When the microcapsule is deformed, the resonances are shifted. We fully characterise the dependence of these resonances on the deformation of the microcapsule, enabling the detection of strains at the microscale level. We present numerical simulations to validate our results.

math.AP↗
arXiv2018

Perturbation of the scattering resonances of an open cavity by small particles. Part I: The transverse magnetic polarization case

This paper aims at providing a small-volume expansion framework for the scattering resonances of an open cavity perturbed by small particles. The induced shift of the scattering frequencies by the small particles is derived without neglecting the radiation effect. The formula holds for arbitrary-shaped particles. It shows a strong enhancement in the frequency shift in the case of plasmonic particles. The formula is used to image small particles located near the boundary of an open resonator which admits whispering-gallery modes. Numerical examples of interest for applications are presented.

math-ph↗
arXiv2018

Perturbations of the scattering resonances of an open cavity by small particles. Part II: The transverse electric polarization case

This paper is concerned with the scattering resonances of open cavities. It is a follow-up of "Perturbation of the scattering resonances of an open cavity by small particles. Part I" where the transverse magnetic polarization was assumed. In that case, using the method of matched asymptotic expansions, the leading-order term in the shifts of scattering resonances due to the presence of small particles of arbitrary shapes was derived and the effect of radiation on the perturbations of open cavity modes was characterized. The derivations were formal. In this paper, we consider the transverse electric polarization and prove a small-volume formula for the shifts in the scattering resonances of a radiating dielectric cavity perturbed by small particles. We show a strong enhancement in the frequency shift in the case of plasmonic particles. We also consider exceptional scattering resonances and perform small-volume asymptotic analysis near them. Our method in this paper relies on pole-pencil decompositions of volume integral operators.

math-ph↗
arXiv2018

A direct linear inversion for discontinuous elastic parameters recovery from internal displacement information only

The aim of this paper is to present and analyze a new direct method for solving the linear elasticity inverse problem. Given measurements of some displacement fields inside a medium, we show that a stable reconstruction of elastic parameters is possible, even for discontinuous parameters and without boundary information. We provide a general approach based on the weak definition of the stiffness-to-force operator which conduces to see the problem as a linear system. We prove that in the case of shear modulus reconstruction, we have an $L^2$-stability with only one measurement under minimal smoothness assumptions. This stability result is obtained though the proof that the linear operator to invert has closed range. We then describe a direct discretization which provides stable reconstructions of both isotropic and anisotropic stiffness tensors.

math.AP↗
arXiv2015

A mathematical and numerical framework for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction

We provide a mathematical analysis and a numerical framework for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction. The imaging problem is to reconstruct the conductivity distribution of biological tissue from measurements of the Lorentz force induced tissue vibration. We begin with reconstructing from the acoustic measurements the divergence of the Lorentz force, which is acting as the source term in the acoustic wave equation. Then we recover the electric current density from the divergence of the Lorentz force. To solve the nonlinear inverse conductivity problem, we introduce an optimal control method for reconstructing the conductivity from the electric current density. We prove its convergence and stability. We also present a point fixed approach and prove its convergence to the true solution. A new direct reconstruction scheme involving a partial differential equation is then proposed based on viscosity-type regularization to a transport equation satisfied by the electric current density field. We prove that solving such an equation yields the true conductivity distribution as the regularization parameter approaches zero. Finally, we test the three schemes numerically in the presence of measurement noise, quantify their stability and resolution, and compare their performance.

math.AP↗
arXiv2015

Surface Plasmon Resonance of Nanoparticles and Applications in Imaging

In this paper we provide a mathematical framework for localized plasmon resonance of nanoparticles. Using layer potential techniques associated with the full Maxwell equations, we derive small-volume expansions for the electromagnetic fields, which are uniformly valid with respect to the nanoparticle's bulk electron relaxation rate. Then, we discuss the scattering and absorption enhancements by plasmon resonant nanoparticles. We study both the cases of a single and multiple nanoparticles. We present numerical simulations of the localized surface plasmonic resonances associated to multiple particles in terms of their separation distance.

math-ph↗
arXiv2015

Mathematical analysis of plasmonic nanoparticles: the scalar case

Localized surface plasmons are charge density oscillations confined to metallic nanoparticles. Excitation of localized surface plasmons by an electromagnetic field at an incident wavelength where resonance occurs results in a strong light scattering and an enhancement of the local electromagnetic fields. This paper is devoted to the mathematical modeling of plasmonic nanoparticles. Its aim is threefold: (i) to mathematically define the notion of plasmonic resonance and to analyze the shift and broadening of the plasmon resonance with changes in size and shape of the nanoparticles; (ii) to study the scattering and absorption enhancements by plasmon resonant nanoparticles and express them in terms of the polarization tensor of the nanoparticle. Optimal bounds on the enhancement factors are also derived; (iii) to show, by analyzing the imaginary part of the Green function, that one can achieve super-resolution and super-focusing using plasmonic nanoparticles. For simplicity, the Helmholtz equation is used to model electromagnetic wave propagation.

math.AP↗
arXiv2014

Mathematical modeling in full-field optical coherence elastography

We provide a mathematical analysis of and a numerical framework for full-field optical coherence elastography, which has unique features including micron-scale resolution, real-time processing, and non-invasive imaging. We develop a novel algorithm for transforming volumetric optical images before and after the mechanical solicitation of a sample with sub-cellular resolution into quantitative shear modulus distributions. This has the potential to improve sensitivities and specificities in the biological and clinical applications of optical coherence tomography.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

A mathematical and numerical framework for ultrasonically-induced Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography

We provide a mathematical analysis and a numerical framework for Lorentz force electrical conductivity imaging. Ultrasonic vibration of a tissue in the presence of a static magnetic field induces an electrical current by the Lorentz force. This current can be detected by electrodes placed around the tissue; it is proportional to the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse, but depends nonlinearly on the conductivity distribution. The imaging problem is to reconstruct the conductivity distribution from measurements of the induced current. To solve this nonlinear inverse problem, we first make use of a virtual potential to relate explicitly the current measurements to the conductivity distribution and the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse. Then, by applying a Wiener filter to the measured data, we reduce the problem to imaging the conductivity from an internal electric current density. We first introduce an optimal control method for solving such a problem. A new direct reconstruction scheme involving a partial differential equation is then proposed based on viscosity-type regularization to a transport equation satisfied by the current density field. We prove that solving such an equation yields the true conductivity distribution as the regularization parameter approaches zero. We also test both schemes numerically in the presence of measurement noise, quantify their stability and resolution, and compare their performance.

math.AP↗
arXiv2013

Backpropagation Imaging in Nonlinear Harmonic Holography in the Presence of Measurement and Medium Noises

In this paper, the detection of a small reflector in a randomly heterogenous medium using second-harmonic generation is investigated. The medium is illuminated by a time-harmonic plane wave at frequency omega. It is assumed that the reflector has a non-zero second-order nonlinear susceptibility, and thus emits a wave at frequency two omega in addition to the fundamental frequency linear scattering. It is shown how the fundamental frequency signal and the second-harmonic signal propagate in the medium. A statistical study of the images obtained by migrating the boundary data is performed. It is proved that the second-harmonic image is more stable with respect to medium noise than the one obtained with the fundamental signal. Moreover, the signal-to-noise ratio for the second-harmonic image does not depend neither on the second-order susceptibility tensor nor on the volume of the particle.

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