Semiclassical theory of surface plasmons in spheroidal clusters

A microscopic theory of linear response based on the Vlasov equation is extended to systems having spheroidal equilibrium shape. The solution of the linearized Vlasov equation, which gives a semiclassical version of the random phase approximation, is studied for electrons moving in a deformed equilibrium mean field. The deformed field has been approximated by a cavity of spheroidal shape, both prolate and oblate. Contrary to spherical systems, there is now a coupling among excitations of different multipolarity induced by the interaction among constituents. Explicit calculations are performed for the dipole response of deformed clusters of different size. In all cases studied here the photoabsorption strength for prolate clusters always displays a typical double-peaked structure. For oblate clusters we find that the high--frequency component of the plasmon doublet can get fragmented in the medium size region ($N \sim 250$). This fragmentation is related to the presence of two kinds of three-dimensional electron orbits in oblate cavities. The possible scaling of our semiclassical equations with the valence electron number and density is investigated.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, revised version, includes discussion of scalin

Theory of inelastic lifetimes of low-energy electrons in metals

Electron dynamics in the bulk and at the surface of solid materials are well known to play a key role in a variety of physical and chemical phenomena. In this article we describe the main aspects of the interaction of low-energy electrons with solids, and report extensive calculations of inelastic lifetimes of both low-energy electrons in bulk materials and image-potential states at metal surfaces. New calculations of inelastic lifetimes in a homogeneous electron gas are presented, by using various well-known representations of the electronic response of the medium. Band-structure calculations, which have been recently carried out by the authors and collaborators, are reviewed, and future work is addressed.Comment: 28 pages, 18 figures, to appear in Chem. Phy

Playing with water drops: from wetting to optics through electrostatics

International audienceWe present a consistent series of activities, including experiments and basic computational studies, investigating the shape and optical properties of water drops in connection with novel technological devices. Most of the work can be carried out with simple teaching equipment and is well suited to undergraduate students. Firstly, we show how the mass variations of a sessile drop can be used to control its curvature and hence to produce lenses with tunable focal distance. Alternatively, the shape of the drop can be varied using electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). We propose a simple pedagogical approach to this phenomenon in connection with historical electrostatic apparatus. A detailed process for the preparation of an EWOD device is given, together with a focimetric method allowing the analysis of electrowetting effects in practical exercises. Finally, the manipulations of a commercialized variable focus lens illustrate that EWOD is at the heart of most recent technological developments, making practical work in optics more attractive than traditional exercises using conventional lenses

Colistin: alternative for the treatment of swine colibacillosis with the respect of human health protection

From suckling up to slaughter, pigs experience frequently enteritis outbreaks caused by various pathogens, most of them from bacterial origin. Preliminary epidemiological studies have shown that Escherichia coli are the most often isolated bacteria during diarrhoeas. Quinolones and penicillins are the most frequently used treatments when colibacillosis is suspected. Many reports have shown these bacteria became frequently resistant when these antibiotics were massively used. Moreover, many cross resistances were demonstrated in these antibiotic families, leading to a major zootechnical and zoonotic concern.</p

Geometrical and quantal fragmentation of optical response in Na

By comparing quantal and semi-classical calculations of optical response, we work out the part of the splitting of the plasmon spectra which is exclusively due to geometrical effects. We apply the analysis to the test case ${\rm Na}_{18}^{2+}$ which exhibits an interesting geometry with strong prolate quadrupole deformation and a pronounced asymmetry in addition. We find a new type of resonance splitting which is due to geometrical effects but goes beyond the simple and well known deformation splitting

On the inclusion of dissipation on top of mean-field approaches

International audienc