Measuring the refractive index dispersion of (un)pigmented biological tissues by Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy

Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy is a powerful technique for measuring the refractive index of microscopically-sized solid objects. This method was classically used for transparent objects immersed in various refractive-index matching media by applying light of a certain predesigned wavelength. In previous studies, we demonstrated that the Jamin-Lebedeff microscopy approach can also be utilized to determine the refractive index of pigmented media for a wide range of wavelengths across the visible spectrum. The theoretical basis of the extended method was however only precise for a single wavelength, dependent on the characteristics of the microscope setup. Using Jones calculus, we here present a complete theory of Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy that incorporates the wavelength-dependent correction factors of the half- and quarter-wave plates. We show that the method can indeed be used universally in that it allows the assessment of the refractive index dispersion of both unpigmented and pigmented microscopic media. We illustrate this on the case of the red-pigmented wing of the damselfly Hetaerina americana and find that very similar refractive indices are obtained whether or not the wave-plate correction factors are accounted for. (C) 2019 Author(s)

Experimental study of the transport of coherent interacting matter-waves in a 1D random potential induced by laser speckle

We present a detailed analysis of the 1D expansion of a coherent interacting matterwave (a Bose-Einstein condensate) in the presence of disorder. A 1D random potential is created via laser speckle patterns. It is carefully calibrated and the self-averaging properties of our experimental system are discussed. We observe the suppression of the transport of the BEC in the random potential. We discuss the scenario of disorder-induced trapping taking into account the radial extension in our experimental 3D BEC and we compare our experimental results with the theoretical predictions

Quasi-stationary regime of a branching random walk in presence of an absorbing wall

A branching random walk in presence of an absorbing wall moving at a constant velocity $v$ undergoes a phase transition as the velocity $v$ of the wall varies. Below the critical velocity $v_c$, the population has a non-zero survival probability and when the population survives its size grows exponentially. We investigate the histories of the population conditioned on having a single survivor at some final time $T$. We study the quasi-stationary regime for $v<v_c$ when $T$ is large. To do so, one can construct a modified stochastic process which is equivalent to the original process conditioned on having a single survivor at final time $T$. We then use this construction to show that the properties of the quasi-stationary regime are universal when $v\to v_c$. We also solve exactly a simple version of the problem, the exponential model, for which the study of the quasi-stationary regime can be reduced to the analysis of a single one-dimensional map.Comment: 2 figures, minor corrections, one reference adde

Varieties of increasing trees

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Diffraction: coherence in optics

Diffraction: Coherence in Optics presents a detailed account of the course on Fraunhofer diffraction phenomena, studied at the Faculty of Science in Paris. The publication first elaborates on Huygens' principle and diffraction phenomena for a monochromatic point source and diffraction by an aperture of simple form. Discussions focus on diffraction at infinity and at a finite distance, simplified expressions for the field, calculation of the path difference, diffraction by a rectangular aperture, narrow slit, and circular aperture, and distribution of luminous flux in the airy spot. The book t