PHYSICAL PARAMETER DEPENDENCE OF THE X-RAY GENERATION IN INTENSE LASER – CLUSTER INTERACTION

International audienceStudies on laser – cluster interaction performed on the LUCA facility (French acronym for Ultra Short Tunable Laser, CEA Saclay) allow to observe the production of hard x-rays in the 1 to 5 keV range when rare gas clusters of nanometer sizes are heated by strong optical fields (F > 10^9 V/cm). First complete quantitative measurements of absolute photon emission yields, as well as of charge state distributions of ionic species with inner shell vacancies have been performed as a function of several physical parameters governing the interaction. Our measurements give rise to fundamental results like an optimum heating time and an intensity threshold in the x-ray production. These data provide direct insight into the interaction dynamics and into the heating processes involved

Investigation of slow collisions for (quasi) symmetric heavy systems: what can be extracted from high resolution X-ray spectra

We present a new experiment on (quasi) symmetric collision systems at low-velocity, namely Ar$^{17+}$ ions ($v=0.53$ a.u.) on gaseous Ar and N$_2$ targets, using low- and high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. Thanks to an accurate efficiency calibration of the spectrometers, we extract absolute X-ray emission cross sections combining low-resolution X-ray spectroscopy and a complete determination of the ion beam - gas jet target overlap. Values with improved uncertainty are found in agreement with previous results \cite{Tawara2001}. Resolving the whole He-like Ar$^{16+}$ Lyman series from $n=2$ to 10 with our crystal spectrometer enables to determine precisely the distribution ${\mathcal{P}_n}$ of the electron capture probability and the preferential $n_{pref}$ level of the selective single-electron capture. Evaluation of cross sections for this process as well as for the contribution of multiple-capture is carried out. Their sensitivity to the $\ell$-distribution of $n$ levels populated by single-electron capture is clearly demonstrated, providing a stringent benchmark for theories. In addition, the hardness ratio is extracted and the influence of the decay of the metastable $1s2s\ ^3 S_1$ state on this ratio is discussed

Suppression of the thermal hysteresis in magnetocaloric MnAs thin film by highly charged ion bombardment

We present the investigation on the modifications of structural and magnetic properties of MnAs thin film epitaxially grown on GaAs induced by slow highly charged ions bombardment under well-controlled conditions. The ion-induced defects facilitate the nucleation of one phase with respect to the other in the first-order magneto-structural MnAs transition with a consequent suppression of thermal hysteresis without any significant perturbation on the other structural and magnetic properties. In particular, the irradiated film keeps the giant magnetocaloric effect at room temperature opening new perspective on magnetic refrigeration technology for everyday use

Source X par agrégats : contrôle et optimisation des paramètres gouvernant línteraction laser de puissance - agrégats de gaz rare

National audienceLes expériences que nous avons réalisées sur le Laser Ultra Court Accordable du CEA Saclay permettent dóbserver l\'émission de photons X dans la gamme 1-5 keV lors de lírradiation dágrégats de gaz rare (Ar, Kr et Xe comprenant entre 10^3 et 10^6 atomes par agrégat) avec un laser femtoseconde de puissance (Ipic jusqu\'à 10^17 W/cm²). En plus de la distribution des états de charge des ions responsables de l\'émission X, la technique de spectroscopie X que nous utilisons permet de mesurer les taux absolus de photons émis dans 4π par impulsion laser en fonction des paramètres gouvernant línteraction dans des conditions contrôlées. Nous avons déterminé la sensibilité des paramètres physiques régissant la production du rayonnement X pendant línteraction, ce qui permet dáccéder à lóptimisation de cette source. Cet article est plus particulièrement dédié aux résultas relatifs à l\'évolution du taux d\'X avec l\'éclairement laser, dúne part, et avec la durée de límpulsion laser, dáutre part

Production and Characterisation of a Neutralising Chimeric Antibody against Botulinum Neurotoxin A

Botulinum neurotoxins, produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, are the causative agent of botulism. This disease only affects a few hundred people each year, thus ranking it among the orphan diseases. However, botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) is the most potent toxin known to man. Due to their potency and ease of production, these toxins were classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Category A biothreat agents. For several biothreat agents, like BoNT/A, passive immunotherapy remains the only possible effective treatment allowing in vivo neutralization, despite possible major side effects. Recently, several mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against a recombinant fragment of BoNT/A were produced in our laboratory and most efficiently neutralised the neurotoxin. In the present work, the most powerful one, TA12, was selected for chimerisation. The variable regions of this antibody were thus cloned and fused with the constant counterparts of human IgG1 (kappa light and gamma 1 heavy chains). Chimeric antibody production was evaluated in mammalian myeloma cells (SP2/0-Ag14) and insect cells (Sf9). After purifying the recombinant antibody by affinity chromatography, the biochemical properties of chimeric and mouse antibody were compared. Both have the same very low affinity constant (close to 10 pM) and the chimeric antibody exhibited a similar capacity to its parent counterpart in neutralising the toxin in vivo. Its strong affinity and high neutralising potency make this chimeric antibody interesting for immunotherapy treatment in humans in cases of poisoning, particularly as there is a probable limitation of the immunological side effects observed with classical polyclonal antisera from heterologous species

Émission X(L) du xénon par interaction laser -agrégats

National audienceNous avons étudié le rayonnement X provenant d'ions fortement multichargés (" 24+) présentant des lacunes en couche L produits lors de l'irradiation d'agrégats de xénon par des impulsions lumineuses issues d'un laser femtoseconde de puissance. Les résultats obtenus lors de la toute dernière campagne d'expériences réalisée auprès du serveur LUCA du SPAM/DRECAM au CEA/Saclay mettent en cause certains travaux antérieurs. Des divergences marquées apparaissent tant au niveau de l'interprétation des spectres X que sur la variation du taux d'émission en fonction de l'éclairement et de la longueur d'onde

Dynamique sub-picoseconde de l'interaction laser de puissance – agrégats de gaz rare : émission intense de rayons X et production d'ions multichargés.

National audienceLors de campagnes d'expériences réalisées sur le Laser Ultra Court Accordable du CEA/Saclay, nous avons étudié le rayonnement X, tant qualitativement (spectroscopie et énergie moyenne des photons) que quantitativement (taux absolus et lois d'évolution), émis lors de l'interaction d'un jet effusif d'agrégats de gaz rare (Ar, Kr, Xe comprenant entre 10^4 et 10^6 atomes/agrégat) avec un laser femtoseconde de puissance (éclairement jusqu'à quelques 10^17 W/cm2). Les résultats présentés dans ce manuscrit sont uniquement dédiés aux agrégats d'Ar pour lesquels nous avons observé un rayonnement X issu d'ions fortement multichargés (jusqu'à l'Ar16+) présentant des lacunes en couches K. La technique de spectroscopie X utilisée a permis de déterminer pour la première fois des taux absolus ainsi que les lois d'évolution de l'émission X en fonction de l'ensemble des paramètres gouvernant l'interaction (intensité, polarisation, longueur d'onde et durée du pulse laser aussi bien que taille, densité et numéro atomique des agrégats)

Magnetic properties changes of MnAs thin films irradiated with highly charged ions

We present the first investigation on the effect of highly charged ion bombardment on a manganese arsenide thin film. The MnAs films, 150 nm thick, are irradiated with 90 keV Ne$^{9+}$ ions with a dose varying from $1.6\times10^{12}$ to $1.6\times10^{15}$ ions/cm$^2$. The structural and magnetic properties of the film after irradiation are investigated using different techniques, namely, X-ray diffraction, magneto-optic Kerr effect and magnetic force microscope. Preliminary results are presented. From the study of the lattice spacing, we measure a change on the film structure that depends on the received dose, similarly to previous studies with other materials. Investigations on the surface show a strong modification of its magnetic properties

Des produits issus d’animaux terrestres recevant une alimentation enrichie en DHA algal peuvent contribuer à la couverture des besoins en cet acide gras essentiel

Ce travail présente une méthode permettant d’augmenter la consommation en DHA de la population sans accroitre le prélèvement halieutique, grâce à la production de produits provenant d’animaux terrestres nourris avec des aliments contenant du DHA provenant de microalgues de culture et d’ALA provenant du lin extrudé. Après une identification des espèces fixant le DHA en quantité importante (pondeuse, lapins, poulet de chair), des essais réalisés sur ces animaux (21 sur pondeuses, 9 sur lapins, 6 sur poulets de chair) ont permis de déterminer les conditions d’enrichissement en DHA ainsi que les teneurs en cet acide gras que l’on peut atteindre dans ces produits. Ainsi, avec cette alimentation, le contenu en DHA des œufs est de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 3,5 fois plus qu’un œuf standard; pour le lapin (par exemple, la gigolette), cette valeur est également de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 10 fois plus qu’une viande de lapin standard; et pour le poulet de chair (par exemple, le blanc) 83 mg / 100 grammes soit 4 fois plus qu’une viande de poulet de chair standard. La plupart de ces produits peuvent alléguer « Riche en oméga 3 » ou « Source d’oméga 3 ». Ces différents aliments peuvent être associés dans des menus permettant d’atteindre les recommandations d’ingestion de DHA sans augmenter la consommation de poisson, améliorant ainsi la santé de la population et celle de la planète dans le respect des habitudes alimentaires.

Primary processes: from atoms to diatomic molecules and clusters

International audienceThis article presents a short review of the main progresses achieved at the GANIL facilities during the last thirty years in the field of ion-atom and ion-diatomic molecule collisions. Thanks to the wide range of projectile energies and species available on the different beam lines of the facility, elementary processes such as electron capture, ionization and excitation have been extensively studied. Beside primary collision mechanisms, the relaxation processes of the collision partners after the collision have been another specific source of interest. Progresses on other fundamental processes such as Young type interferences induced by ion-molecule collisions or shake off ionization resulting from nuclear beta decay are also presented. 1. Introduction For the electronic structures of atoms and molecules, precise theoretical knowledge and high-resolution experimental data are available. But the complete understanding of dynamic processes in atomic collisions remains a challenge, due to large theoretical problems in describing time-dependent many-particle reactions, and to experimental difficulties in performing complete experiments in which all relevant quantities are accessible. Elementary collisions involving ions, atoms and molecules play an important role in many gaseous and plasma environments, where they provide both the heating and cooling mechanisms. The study of such collisions is thus not only of fundamental importance, it is also essential for the understanding of large-scale systems such as astrophysical plasmas, planetary atmospheres, gas discharge lasers, semiconductor processing plasmas, and fusion plasmas. Collisions between ions and atoms (or simple molecules) give also access to the elementary processes responsible for energy transfer in ion-matter and ion-biological molecule collisions. Complete knowledge of these elementary processes is thus of primordial importance for ion induced modification of materials as well as for radiolysis, radiotherapy and biological damages due to radiation exposure