Testing baryon number conservation in braneworld models with cold neutrons

In the context of multi-brane Universe models, matter swapping between two braneworlds is allowed leading to a baryon number violation in our visible world. An experimental framework is described to test such a phenomenology with cold neutrons thanks to a neutron-shining-through-a-wall experiment.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Proceedings of the ESS Science Symposium on Neutron Particle Physics at Long Pulse Spallation Sources, NPPatLPS 2013 (25-27 March, 2013

Quantum dynamics of particles in a discrete two-branes world model: Can matter particles exchange occur between branes?

In a recent paper, a model for describing the quantum dynamics of massive particles in a non-commutative two-sheeted spacetime was proposed. This model considers a universe made with two spacetime sheets embedded in a 5D bulk where the fifth dimension is restricted to only two points. It was shown that this construction has several important consequences for the quantum dynamics of massive particles. Most notably, it was demonstrated that a coupling arises between the two sheets allowing matter exchange in presence of intense magnetic vector potentials. In this paper, we show that non-commutative geometry is not absolutely necessary to obtain such a result since a more traditional approach allows one to reach a similar conclusion. The fact that two different approaches provide similar results suggests that standard matter exchange between branes might finally occur contrary to conventional belief.Comment: 11 pages, no figures. Final version. Published in Acta Physica Polonica

Non-reciprocal optical reflection from a bidimensional array of subwavelength holes in a metallic film

Using simulations and theoretical arguments we investigate the specular reflection of a perforated gold film deposited on a glass substrate. A square lattice of cylindrical holes is assumed to produce the periodic lateral corrugation needed to hybridize the surface plasmons with radiative states. It is shown that, contrasting transmission approaches, a knowledge of the reflection on either side of the film provides separate information on the gold-vacuum surface plasmons and on the gold-glass interface plasmons. Recent experimental data on a specific implementation of this system are reexamined; these show a good agreement between the measured reflections and the simulations in both directions of incident wave probes. This confirms the importance of taking into account the reflection asymmetry in the far-field assessment of surface plasmons properties.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Published versio

Bounded modes to the rescue of optical transmission

This paper presents a brief survey of the evolution of knowledge about diffraction gratings. After recalling some basic facts, historically and physically, we introduce the concept of Wood anomalies. Next, we present some recent works in order to introduce the role of bounded modes in transmission gratings. The consequences of these recent results are then introduced. This paper is a secondary publication, published in Europhysics News (EPN 38, 3 (2007) 27-31). In the present version, some additional notes have been added with related references.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Secondary publication. Brief revie

Role of Wood anomalies in optical properties of thin metallic films with a bidimensional array of subwavelength holes

Recents works deal with the optical transmission on arrays of subwavelength holes in a metallic layer deposited on a dielectric substrate. Making the system as realistic as possible, we perform simulations to enlighten the experimental data. This paper proposes an investigation of the optical properties related to the transmission of such devices. Numerical simulations give theoretical results in good agreement with experiment and we observe that the transmission and reflection behaviour correspond to Fano's profile correlated with resonant response of the eigen modes coupled with nonhomogeneous diffraction orders. We thus conclude that the transmission properties observed could conceivably be explained as resulting from resonant Wood's anomalies.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

Quantum vacuum photon-modes and superhydrophobicity

Nanostructures are commonly used for developing superhydrophobic surfaces. However, available wetting theoretical models ignore the effect of vacuum photon-modes alteration on van der Waals forces and thus on hydrophobicity. Using first-principle calculations, we show that superhydrophibicity of nanostructured surfaces is dramatically enhanced by vacuum photon-modes tuning. As a case study, wetting contact angles of a water droplet above a polyethylene nanostructured surface are obtained from the interaction potential energy calculated as function of the droplet-surface separation distance. This new approach could pave the way for the design of novel superhydrophobic coatings.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, final version published in Physical Review Letter

Nanomorphology of the blue iridescent wings of a giant tropical wasp, "Megascolia procer javanensis" (Hymenoptera)

The wings of the giant wasp "Megascolia Procer Javanensis" are opaque and iridescent. The origin of the blue-green iridescence is studied in detail, using reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and physical modelling. It is shown that the structure responsible for the iridescence is a single homogeneous transparent chitin layer covering the whole surface of each wing. The opacity is essentially due to the presence of melanin in the stratified medium which forms the mechanical core of the wing.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures. Improved version. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.