Abstract: A multimode local probe microscope having a resonator, a first electrode, and a second electrode, an excitation source adapted to generate mechanical resonance in the resonator, a metal tip fastened to the resonator, movement mechanism for imparting relative movement between the local probe and a sample and adapted to bring the end of the tip to within a distance Z lying in the range 0 to 100 nm, and detector for detecting at least one electrical signal representative of friction forces at the terminals of said electrodes. The metal tip is electrically connected to the output second electrode and the microscopy apparatus includes amplifier and filter for amplifying and filtering signals relating to the friction forces and to the tunnelling current in a single electronic circuit, and configured for regulating the distance Z between the end of the tip and the surface of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimode local probe microscope having a resonator (1), a first electrode (9), and a second electrode (8), an excitation source adapted to generate mechanical resonance in the resonator, a metal tip (4) fastened to the resonator, movement means for imparting relative movement between the local probe and a sample and adapted to bring the end of the tip to within a distance Z lying in the range 0 to 100 nm, and detector means for detecting at least one electrical signal representative of friction forces at the terminals of said electrodes (8, 9). According to the invention, said metal tip (4) is electrically connected to said output second electrode (9) and the microscopy apparatus includes amplifier and filter means for amplifying and filtering signals relating to the friction forces and to the tunnelling current in a single electronic circuit, and means for regulating the distance Z between the end of the tip and the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A spectroscopic polarimetric system of broad spectral range, includes a light source suitable for emitting an incident light beam over a wavelength range, a polarization state generator (PSG), a polarization state analyzer (PSA), and a detector. The PSG and the PSA have respective elements for modulating the polarization of the light beam. The elements of the PSG for modulating polarization are suitable for generating a sequence of m polarization states with m>4 at each measurement wavelength, the elements of the PSA for modulating polarization are suitable for determining a sequence of n polarization states with n>4 for each measurement wavelength, and the detector elements are suitable for acquiring a sequence of N measurements with 16<N?n×m at each wavelength to extract therefrom a polarimetric spectroscopic measurement of the Mueller matrix of the sample. An extended spectroscopic polarimetric measurement method is also described.

Abstract: An electronic polarimetric imaging system for a colposcopy device designed for in vivo observation of a cervix, wherein the colposcopy device includes a light source for illuminating the observable cervix and at least visual elements for monitoring an image of the cervix, the illumination optical path towards the cervix and the image optical path coming back from the cervix being separated from one another over at least one portion of the paths thereof. The system includes a polarimetric adapter housing which is removable into the separated portion of the illumination and image optical paths, the polarimetric adapter housing including a polarisation state generator (PSG) on the illumination optical path and a polarisation analyser (PSA) on the image optical path, wherein the polarisation state generator (PSG) and the polarisation analyser (PSA) are controllable. Several levels of polarimetric characterisation are possible. An adaptor housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spectroscopic polarimetric system of broad spectral range, includes a light source suitable for emitting an incident light beam over a wavelength range, a polarization state generator (PSG), a polarization state analyzer (PSA), and a detector. The PSG and the PSA have respective elements for modulating the polarization of the light beam. The elements of the PSG for modulating polarization are suitable for generating a sequence of m polarization states with m>4 at each measurement wavelength, the elements of the PSA for modulating polarization are suitable for determining a sequence of n polarization states with n>4 for each measurement wavelength, and the detector elements are suitable for acquiring a sequence of N measurements with 16<N?n×m at each wavelength to extract therefrom a polarimetric spectroscopic measurement of the Mueller matrix of the sample. An extended spectroscopic polarimetric measurement method is also described.

Abstract: A transistor for active matrix display and a method for producing the transistor (1). The transistor (1) includes a microcrystalline silicon film (5) and an insulator (3). The crystalline fraction of the microcrystalline silicon film (5) is above 80%. According to the invention, the transistor (1) includes a plasma treated interface (4) located between the insulator (3) and the microcrystalline silicon film (5) so that the transistor (1) has a linear mobility equal or superior to 1.5 cm2V?1s?1, shows threshold voltage stability and wherein the microcrystalline silicon film (5) includes grains (6) whose size ranges between 10 nm and 400 nm. The invention concerns as well a display unit having a line-column matrix of pixels that are actively addressed, each pixel comprising at least a transistor as described above.

Abstract: A Raman method and system for analysing a sample including an excitation source emitting an incident light beam, a sample holder for mounting the sample, elements for focusing the incident light beam onto the sample surface to generate a Raman scattered light having an intensity, elements for collecting the Raman scattered light to form a Raman scattered light beam, a detection system measuring intensity of the Raman scattered light beam as a function of time. The system includes at least a polarization state generator able to generate four independent polarization states or a polarization state analyzer able to analyze four independent polarization states to detect the intensity of the Raman scattered light beam and calculate a partial or complete Mueller-Stokes matrix of the sample.

Abstract: Method and a polarimetric measurement device of a planar object carrying patterns repeated regularly and forming the lines of a grid. A first measurement is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?1 and for a first azimuthal angle ?1, a second measurement at least is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?2 and for a second azimuthal angle ?2, the polarization of the incident beam is modulated and the polarization of the reflected beam is analyzed for each measurement, theoretical polarimetric data is calculated for a model object of the real object, the model object including parameters adjustable using a formalism of electromagnetism. An iterative comparison of the measurements is conducted with the theoretical polarimetric data for different values of the adjustable parameters.

Abstract: The invention concerns a photoactive nanocomposite (3) comprising at least one donor-acceptor couple of semiconductor elements. One of the elements is made of doped nanowires (7) with sp3 structure, and the other of the elements is an organic compound (8). The elements are supported by a device substrate (1). The invention also concerns a production method. According to a first embodiment, after their growth, the nanowires (7) are retrieved, functionalised and solubilised in the organic component (8). The mixture is deposited by coating on a device substrate. According to a second embodiment, the nanowires (7) are formed on a growth substrate (5) which is also the device substrate. The organic component (8) is combined with the nanowires (7) so as to form an active layer (3). Such a photoactive nanocomposite (3) allows production of a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma includes a vacuum chamber having a wall and a plasma source including one or more devices for exciting the plasma, and elements for generating a constant magnetic field around the plasma to couple microwave energy into plasma at electron cyclotron resonance, each of the devices for exciting the plasma including a coaxial microwave connector able to be connected to a microwave energy source and a loop antenna able to emit a microwave energy for exciting the plasma. The loop antenna of the one or more devices is positioned inside the vacuum chamber in order to be in contact with the plasma and the elements for generating a constant magnetic field include at least two magnetic dipoles placed on the wall of the vacuum chamber, each of the one or more devices for exciting the plasma having the two magnetic dipoles placed on both sides.

Abstract: A Raman method and system for analysing a sample including an excitation source emitting an incident light beam, a sample holder for mounting the sample, elements for focusing the incident light beam onto the sample surface to generate a Raman scattered light having an intensity, elements for collecting the Raman scattered light to form a Raman scattered light beam, a detection system measuring intensity of the Raman scattered light beam as a function of time. The system includes at least a polarization state generator able to generate four independent polarization states or a polarization state analyzer able to analyze four independent polarization states to detect the intensity of the Raman scattered light beam and calculate a partial or complete Mueller-Stokes matrix of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic polarimetric imaging system use in a colposcopy device for in vivo monitoring a cervix, which is provided with a light source for illuminating the observable cervix and at least visual means for monitoring said cervix, wherein the illumination optical path directed to the cervix and the image optical path coming back from the cervix are separated from each other on at least a portion of the paths thereof. The inventive system comprises a polarimetric adapter housing which is removable in the separated portion of the illumination and image optical paths and comprises a polarization state generator (PSG) positioned on the illumination optical path and a polarization analyser (PSA) positioned on the image optical path, wherein said polarization state generator (PSG) and polarization analyser (PSA) are designed in such a way that they are controllable. Said invention makes it possible to obtain several polarimetric characterisation levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a photoactive nanocomposite (3) comprising at least one donor-acceptor couple of semiconductor elements. One of the elements is made of doped nanowires (7) with sp3 structure, and the other of the elements is an organic compound (8). The elements are supported by a device substrate (1). The invention also concerns a production method. According to a first embodiment, after their growth, the nanowires (7) are retrieved, functionalised and solubilised in the organic component (8). The mixture is deposited by coating on a device substrate. According to a second embodiment, the nanowires (7) are formed on a growth substrate (5) which is also the device substrate. The organic component (8) is combined with the nanowires (7) so as to form an active layer (3). Such a photoactive nanocomposite (3) allows production of a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A broadband ellipsometer/polarimeter system for analyzing a sample includes an illumination source emitting a polychromatic light beam, a polarization state generator (PSG) including a fixed linear polarizer and a substantially achromatic retarder mounted on a rotating holder, a sample holder, a polarization state analyser (PSA) including a fixed linear polarizer and a substantially achromatic retarder mounted on a rotating holder, a primary detection system measuring the intensities at each wavelength of the light beam transmitted through the PSA, optics to collimate the beam into the PSG and into the PSA and to focus the beam into the sample surface and the detector. The linear polarizer and achromatic retarder in the PSA are identical to those of the PSG but mounted in a reverse order.

Abstract: Method and a polarimetric measurement device of a planar object carrying patterns repeated regularly and forming the lines of a grid. A first measurement is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?1 and for a first azimuthal angle ?1, a second measurement at least is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?2 and for a second azimuthal angle ?2, the polarization of the incident beam is modulated and the polarization of the reflected beam is analyzed for each measurement, theoretical polarimetric data is calculated for a model object of the real object, the model object including parameters adjustable using a formalism of electromagnetism. An iterative comparison of the measurements is conducted with the theoretical polarimetric data for different values of the adjustable parameters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a broadband ellipsometer/polarimeter system for analysing a sample (8) comprising an illumination source (5) emitting a polychromatic light beam (12), a polarisation state generator (PSG) (6) including a fixed linear polarizer (13) and a substantially achromatic retarder (21) mounted on a rotating holder (14), a sample holder (3), a polarisation state analyser (PSA) (10) including a fixed linear polarizer (20) and a substantially achromatic retarder (22) mounted on a rotating holder (19), a primary detection system (11) measuring the intensities at each wavelength of the light beam transmitted through said PSA (10), optics to collimate the beam into the PSG (6) and into the PSA (10) and to focus the beam into the sample surface (8) and the detector (11).

Abstract: An electronic control cell for at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) of a pixel or segment of an active matrix display, the cell including at least one control circuit (6,61,62) with a control input and operating relative to a control signal arriving at a control line (5,5?) and enabling to turn the OLED(s) on, one capacitive storage circuit of the control signal with a capacitor C connected to the control line, one selection circuit (4,41,42) operating relative to a selection signal Vsel on a selection line (3,3?) and enabling electrical connection or insulation of the capacitive storage circuit with/from a control voltage Vcom (2) relative to the selection signal. The storage is temporary by discharging the capacitor through a resistor Rf parallel to the capacitor. Operating methods and a display unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal based polarimetric system, a process for the calibration of this polarimetric system, and a polarimetric measurement process intended for measuring the representative parameters of a sample in which the polarimetric system contains an excitation section emitting a light beam that passes through a polarization state generator (PSG) and onto a sample. After reflection or transmission by the sample, the beam goes through an analysis section with a polarization state detector (PSD). The PSG and PSD each have a first and a second liquid crystal elements LCj (j=1,2) having, for each LCj element of the PSG (respectively for each LCj element of the PSD), an extraordinary axis making an angle ?j (resp. ??j) with respect to the polarization direction (i), and a retardation ?j (resp (??j) between its ordinary and extraordinary axes, the liquid crystals LCj elements being positioned in reverse order in the PSD with respect to the LCj elements of the PSG.

Abstract: A transistor for active matrix display and a method for producing the transistor (1). The transistor (1) includes a microcrystalline silicon film (5) and an insulator (3). The crystalline fraction of the microcrystalline silicon film (5) is above 80%. According to the invention, the transistor (1) includes a plasma treated interface (4) located between the insulator (3) and the microcrystalline silicon film (5) so that the transistor (1) has a linear mobility equal or superior to 1.5 cm2V?1s?1, shows threshold voltage stability and wherein the microcrystalline silicon film (5) includes grains (6) whose size ranges between 10 nm and 400 nm. The invention concerns as well a display unit having a line-column matrix of pixels that are actively addressed, each pixel comprising at least a transistor as described above.

Abstract: A method for characterizing or controlling the production of a thin-layered component using optical methods. Acquired signals S1 and S2 are processed in order to obtain parameters x, ? of the deposited layers. The stacking is represented by the product of two Abeles matrices for each direction of polarization s (perpendicular to the incidence plane) and p (parallel to the incidence plane): a known matrix Mos,p representing the support and matrix dMs,p representing a thin transparent layer being deposited.