Afin de parvenir à une meilleure compréhension des processus d’évolution des magmas réunionnais, nous avons réalisé une étude ayant pour objectifs principaux : (1) la simulation expérimentale du système d’alimentation du Piton de la Fournaise, à partir d’un matériel de départ de composition typique de Steady State Basalt et dans des conditions de pression, température, fO2 et de teneurs en volatils (H2O, CO2) réalistes ; (2) la détermination de la séquence de cristallisation d’échantillons représentatifs des roches plutoniques réunionnaises de façon à les comparer avec les résultats expérimentaux et (3) l’obtention d’une base de données volcanologiques, pétrologiques et géochimiques significative sur le groupe de laves anormales (« Abnormal Group ») permettant de confirmer son existence dans le système d’alimentation du Piton de la Fournaise. La découverte de verres silicatés ayant des compositions caractéristiques de l’Abnormal Group confirme l’implication de ces magmas dans l’activité éruptive. Toutefois, les roches plutoniques n’enregistrent pour la plupart que des séquences de cristallisation témoignant d’une évolution superficielle des magmas. Cette dernière est simulée de façon satisfaisante par les expérimentations réalisées dans la gamme 0.1 à 50 MPa qui conduisent à des modèles pétrologiques et des pressions de stockage en accord avec les données géophysiques. Les expérimentations à plus forte pression démontrent l’existence de paliers au sein du système d’alimentation qui peuvent en grande partie expliquer les diverses compositions réunionnaises, mais posent la question de la composition des magmas parentaux. / To better understand magmatic processes associated with the evolution of La Réunion magmas, we have carried out a multi-approach study aimed at (1) simulating experimentally the feeding system of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, using a Steady State Basalt starting material and P-T-fO2-Volatiles (H2O, CO2) conditions compatible with the natural system; (2) determining crystallization sequences representative of La Réunion plutonic rocks for comparison with the experimental results and (3) constructing a volcanological, petrological and geochemical database for lavas of the Abnormal Group, to confirm the existence of Abnormal melts in the feeding system of the volcano. The discovery of glasses having chemical characteristics similar to the Abnormal Group establishes the implication of Abnormal melts in eruptive processes. However, plutonic rocks record crystallization sequences that for the most part indicate a low pressure magmatic evolution. Experiments in the pressure range 0.1 to 50 MPa satisfactorily reproduce conditions in the shallow magmatic systems and lead to petrological models and magma storage depths in agreement with geophysical data. Experiments at higher pressures demonstrate transitions in magma fractionation mechanisms in the feeding system that can explain the range of erupted compositions, but call into question the compositions of parental magmas.

Although it has been well established that abnormal group delay is a real physical phenomenon and is not in violation of Einstein causality, there has been little investigation into whether or not such abnormal behaviour can be used to reduce signal latency in practical communication systems in the presence of noise. In this thesis, we use time-varying probability of error to determine if abnormal group delay “channels” can offer reduced signal latency. Since the detection system plays a critical role in the analysis, three important detection systems are considered: the correlation, matched filter and envelope detection systems. Our analysis shows that for both spatially negligible microelectronic systems and spatially extended microwave systems, negative group delay “channels” offer reduced signal latency as compared to conventional “channels”. The results presented in the thesis can be used to design a new generation of electronic and microwave interconnects with reduced or eliminated signal latency.

Although it has been well established that abnormal group delay is a real physical phenomenon and is not in violation of Einstein causality, there has been little investigation into whether or not such abnormal behaviour can be used to reduce signal latency in practical communication systems in the presence of noise. In this thesis, we use time-varying probability of error to determine if abnormal group delay “channels” can offer reduced signal latency. Since the detection system plays a critical role in the analysis, three important detection systems are considered: the correlation, matched filter and envelope detection systems. Our analysis shows that for both spatially negligible microelectronic systems and spatially extended microwave systems, negative group delay “channels” offer reduced signal latency as compared to conventional “channels”. The results presented in the thesis can be used to design a new generation of electronic and microwave interconnects with reduced or eliminated signal latency.