Abstract: A contrast-amplifying carrier for observing a sample, includes a transparent substrate bearing at least one absorbent coating suitable for behaving as an antireflection coating when it is illuminated at normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate and when the face of the coating opposite the substrate is in contact with a medium referred to as a transparent ambient medium, the refractive index n3 of which is lower than that of the refractive index n0 of the substrate. The absorbent coating comprises: an absorbent sublayer referred to as the contrast sublayer, deposited on the surface of the transparent substrate; and an absorbent layer referred to as the sensitive layer, distinct from the contrast sublayer and comprising between 1 and 5 sheets of a graphene-type material. Methods for producing and for using such a contrast-amplifying carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for positioning a micro- or nano-object on a planar support by displacement performed under visual control, wherein the micro- or nano-object is immersed in a transparent medium, called ambient medium, having a refractive index n3; the planar support comprises a transparent substrate of refractive index n0>n3 on which is deposited at least one optically absorbent layer, adapted to behave as antireflection coating when it is lit at normal incidence with a lighting wavelength ? through the substrate; and the visual control comprises the lighting of the micro- or nano-object at least with the wavelength ? through the substrate, and the observation thereof also through the substrate. A method to scanning probe microscopy and to the assembly of nanostructures is provided.

Abstract: A contrast-amplifying support for the observation of a sample, comprises a transparent substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer whose complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and thickness are chosen in such a way that the layer behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when it is illuminated under normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate, the face of the layer opposite to the d substrate being in contact with a transparent so-called ambient medium whose refractive index n3 is less than that of the refractive index n0 of the substrate. Methods for producing a contrast-amplifying support and for observing a sample, or for detecting or assaying at least one chemical or biological species, using such a contrast-amplifying support are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for positioning a micro- or nano-object on a planar support by displacement performed under visual control, wherein the micro- or nano-object is immersed in a transparent medium, called ambient medium, having a refractive index n3; the planar support comprises a transparent substrate of refractive index n0>n3 on which is deposited at least one optically absorbent layer, adapted to behave as antireflection coating when it is lit at normal incidence with a lighting wavelength ? through the substrate; and the visual control comprises the lighting of the micro- or nano-object at least with the wavelength ? through the substrate, and the observation thereof also through the substrate. A method to scanning probe microscopy and to the assembly of nanostructures is provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a contrast-amplifying support comprising an absorbing substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer comprises a design step for the support and the following steps: i) choosing an illumination wavelength ?; ii) choosing a material constituting the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N0=n0?jk0 with k0?0.01; iii) choosing an ambient medium in contact with the layer on the side opposite to the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N3=n3?jk3 with k3?0; iv) determining a nominal complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and a nominal thickness e1 of the layer wherein it behaves in the guize of antireflection layer when illuminated under normal incidence at illumination wavelength ?; and v) choosing a material constituting the layer and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index whose real and imaginary parts coincide with the nominal complex refractive index.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for observing a sample under optical microscopy, in incoherent, unpolarised light, using a sample substrate including a contrast-amplifying layer having a complex index of refraction. The invention also relates to a method for detecting or metering at least one chemical or biological species using such a sample substrate.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a fluidic cell having an internal volume able to be filled with a fluid and at least one first and one second electrode making contact with the internal volume, wherein at least the first electrode comprises a thin layer made of a conductive material that is optically absorbent at at least one wavelength ? in the visible, near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, the thin layer being arranged on or in an internal surface of a wall of the fluidic cell which is at least partially transparent to said wavelength ?. An electrochemical apparatus comprises such an electrochemical device and an optical microscope arranged to illuminate the first electrode through the wall at at least said wavelength ? and also to observe it through the wall.

Abstract: A contrast-amplifying carrier for observing a sample, includes a transparent substrate bearing at least one absorbent coating suitable for behaving as an antireflection coating when it is illuminated at normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate and when the face of the coating opposite the substrate is in contact with a medium referred to as a transparent ambient medium, the refractive index n3 of which is lower than that of the refractive index no of the substrate. The absorbent coating comprises: an absorbent sublayer referred to as the contrast sublayer, deposited on the surface of the transparent substrate; and an absorbent layer referred to as the sensitive layer, distinct from the contrast sublayer and comprising between 1 and 5 sheets of a graphene-type material. Methods for producing and for using such a contrast-amplifying carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A material is provided having a lamellar, non-centrosymmetric macroscopic structure, essentially consisting of a mixture of at least two populations of objects that are heterogeneous in blocks along an axis, each object consisting of at least two blocks, characterized in that each of the objects is connected to adjacent objects via interactions that involve at least two mutually incompatible blocks of the object and two blocks that are compatible one-to-one with the first of the blocks, and mutually incompatible along the chain of each one of said adjacent objects. The objects can be, in particular, block co-oligomers or copolymers.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a fluidic cell having an internal volume able to be filled with a fluid and at least one first and one second electrode making contact with the internal volume, wherein at least the first electrode comprises a thin layer made of a conductive material that is optically absorbent at at least one wavelength ? in the visible, near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, the thin layer being arranged on or in an internal surface of a wall of the fluidic cell which is at least partially transparent to said wavelength ?. An electrochemical apparatus comprises such an electrochemical device and an optical microscope arranged to illuminate the first electrode through the wall at at least said wavelength ? and also to observe it through the wall.

Abstract: A contrast-amplifying support for the observation of a sample, comprises a transparent substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer whose complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and thickness are chosen in such a way that the layer behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when it is illuminated under normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate, the face of the layer opposite to the d substrate being in contact with a transparent so-called ambient medium whose refractive index n3 is less than that of the refractive index n0 of the substrate. Methods for producing a contrast-amplifying support and for observing a sample, or for detecting or assaying at least one chemical or biological species, using such a contrast-amplifying support are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a contrast-amplifying support comprising an absorbing substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer comprises a design step for the support and the following steps: i) choosing an illumination wavelength ?; ii) choosing a material constituting the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N0=n0?jk0 with k0?0.01; iii) choosing an ambient medium in contact with the layer on the side opposite to the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N3=n3?jk3 with k3?0; iv) determining a nominal complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and a nominal thickness e1 of the layer wherein it behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when illuminated under normal incidence at illumination wavelength ?; and v) choosing a material constituting the layer and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index whose real and imaginary parts coincide with the nominal complex refractive index.

Abstract: A material is provided having a lamellar, non-centrosymmetric macroscopic structure, essentially consisting of a mixture of at least two populations of objects that are heterogeneous in blocks along an axis, each object consisting of at least two blocks, characterised in that each of the objects is connected to adjacent objects via interactions that involve at least two mutually incompatible blocks of the object and two blocks that are compatible one-to-one with the first of the blocks, and mutually incompatible along the chain of each one of said adjacent objects. The objects can be, in particular, block co-oligomers or copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for observing a sample under optical microscopy, in incoherent, unpolarised light, using a sample substrate including a contrast-amplifying layer having a complex index of refraction. The invention also relates to a method for detecting or metering at least one chemical or biological species using such a sample substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical component for observing a sample, which includes a substrate and at least one complex index layer of predetermined thickness, designed to show a high intensity or color contrast for optical path variations, reliefs, nanometric thicknesses and diameters when it is observed by incoherent light reflection convergent around the normal incidence under polarization extinction conditions. The upper index layer has specific surface properties providing it with selective affinity relative to at least one characteristic of the sample. An analysis system includes such a component, an analysis method using the component and uses of the method.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical component for observing a sample, which includes a substrate and at least one complex index layer of predetermined thickness, designed to show a high intensity or color contrast for optical path variations, reliefs, nanometric thicknesses and diameters when it is observed by incoherent light reflection convergent around the normal incidence under polarization extinction conditions. The upper index layer has specific surface properties providing it with selective affinity relative to at least one characteristic of the sample. An analysis system includes such a component, an analysis method using the component and uses of the method.

Abstract: A support designed for observing between intersecting polarizers an object located in its vicinity in a medium (3) of index n0 with incident convergent incoherent illumination under an angle ?0 at a wavelength ?. The support includes a substrate (1) with complex refractive index n2 and a layer (2) of refractive index n1 and thickness e1. The value of the thickness e1 of the layer (2) is at ±2% such that d2?/de21 lnIóI2=0 with Ó=Ó01+Ó12 (1+?01)e(?2j?1)+Ó01 ?12e (?4j?1)/1+r01(p)+r12(p)e(?2j?1))(1+r01(s)r12(s)e(?2j?1)). Observation devices incorporating such a support are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for ellipsometric two-dimensional display of a sample placed in an incident medium, observed between a convergent light cross-reflected analyser and polarizer, wherein the ellipsometric parameters of the ensemble formed by the sample and a substrate whereon it is placed, are processed. The substrate comprises a base and a stack of layers of base and its ellipsometric properties are known. The ellipsometric properties of the substrate are such that the variations of the ellipsometric parameters of the sample are displayed with a contrast greater than the contrast produced in the absence of such substrate. The invention also concerns a display method and an ellipsometric measurement method with spatial resolution.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for ellipsometric two-dimensional display of a sample placed in an incident medium, observed between a convergent light cross-reflected analyser and polarizer, wherein the ellipsometric parameters of the ensemble formed by the sample and a substrate whereon it is placed, are processed. The substrate comprises a base and a stack of layers of base and its ellipsometric properties are known. The ellipsometric properties of the substrate are such that the variations of the ellipsometric parameters of the sample are displayed with a contrast greater than the contrast produced in the absence of such substrate. The invention also concerns a display method and an ellipsometric measurement method with spatial resolution.

Abstract: A device for ellipsometric two-dimensional display of a sample placed in an incident medium, observed between an analyser and a polarizer intersected by convergent light reflection, wherein the ellipsometric parameters of the assembly formed by the sample and a substrate whereon it is placed, are used. The substrate comprises a support and a stack of base layers and its ellipsometric properties are known. The ellipsometric properties of the substrate are such that variations of the sample ellipsometric parameters are displayed with contrast higher that the contrast produced in the absence of the substrate. The invention also concerns a display method and an ellipsometric measurement method with spatial resolution.