Après une dizaine d'années de recherche dans le domaine de la modélisation des plasmas froids hors-équilibre, j'ai souhaité synthétiser les principaux résultats obtenus durant cette période dans le domaine de la propulsion à plasma en vue de l'obtention de mon Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches. Je présente également dans ce document quelques pistes intéressantes à investiguer dans le domaine de la propulsion à plasma au sens large. J'ai choisi de diviser le document en trois parties distinctes, la première synthétise mes activités de recherche et présente les grandes lignes de mon projet de recherche, la seconde regroupe un certain nombre d'informations complémentaires me concernant, la dernière regroupe les publications les plus significatives. Je tiens à exprimer ma plus profonde gratitude à tous les étudiants dont j'ai encadrés les travaux de recherche ainsi qu'à l'ensemble de mes collègues pour toutes les discussions fructueuses et conseils prodigués tout au long de cette période. Je tiens également à remercier chaleureusement l'ensemble des membres du jury pour avoir examiné mes travaux. Je vous souhaite une bonne lecture !

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Texas Christian University, 2006. / Title from dissertation title page (viewed Feb. 8, 2007). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

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This dissertation examines the way the life and ministry of Robert Hall, Jr. (1764-1831) functioned as both a theological exemplar and a cultural celebrity. Chapter 1 sets forth the thesis and defines its terminology and introduces the research methodology and the limitations of the project. Chapter 2 reintroduces the life of Robert Hall to a generation that has forgotten him. Details of Hall's education, pastoral ministry, mental breakdown, and death are provided here. Chapter 3 discusses the preaching methodology Hall inherited from preceding generations of Baptists and how Hall changed that methodology over the course of his life. Chapter 4 first addresses Hall's theological journey before observing how Hall employed different doctrines in his preaching. The chapter concludes with a concise examination of Hall as a preacher and the way he also served as a theological exemplar. Chapter 5 investigates Hall as a cultural celebrity, in many ways the first of such among the Baptists. The root of Hall's celebrification as a conversationalist, a rhetorician, and a preacher are all examined. Chapter 6 examines four of Hall's most famous sermons. It was these sermons that made Hall famous across the English nation and established him as a celebrity.

There is always a need for more effective ways to store energy in order to reduce the human impact on the environment. One step on the way can be the use of flywheels as kinetic energy storage devices. Low frictional losses are essential for a flywheel to be effective. To minimize these losses active magnetic bearings (AMB) can be used to keep the shaft centered instead of the more conventional ball-bearings. AMBs use actuators and a fast control system that needs correct and noise-free measurement data of the shaft position and the current in the actuators to work properly. This thesis explains the process of constructing power electronics and a current measurement system for active magnetic bearings (AMB). The focus of the thesis is on how to minimize noise in the circuits, including practical considerations on circuit design and theoretical explanations of the origin of noise in electric circuits. In addition there are discussions on factors to consider when designing a PCB and the importance of choosing the right component for the right application. Finished PCB-designs for both power electronics and current measurement along with specifications of the circuits and calibration data is presented. The finished circuits works well and have low noise levels and high reliability.

Ce travail de thèse présente les caractéristiques optiques et électriques de dopants dans des couches de CdHgTe, CdZnTe et CdS. Ces 3 matériaux II-VI ont pour point commun d'être utilisés dans des dispositifs de détection, que ce soit la détection de lumière infrarouge pour les couches de CdHgTe et CdZnTe ou la détection visible comme c'est le cas pour le CdS. La caractérisation optique de ces couches de matériaux II-VI a été réalisée par la technique de photoluminescence et corrélée à des mesures électriques effectuées par effet Hall en température. Dans un premier temps, une étude du dopage intrinsèque par les lacunes de mercure et du dopage extrinsèque par incorporation d'arsenic de l'alliage CdHgTe, couche active des détecteurs IR a été réalisée. Pour cela, des mesures optiques par photoluminescence (sur un banc mis en place au laboratoire pendant la 1ere année de thèse permettant de travailler depuis les basses températures jusqu'à l'ambiante entre 1µm et 12 µm dans l'IR) sur des couches de CdHgTe réalisées par épitaxie en phase liquide (EPL) de différentes compositions en Cd ont été effectuées. La corrélation de ces mesures optiques avec des mesures électriques par effet Hall en température a permis d'identifier les énergies d'activation des 2 niveaux de la lacune de mercure ainsi que de démontrer le phénomène de U-négativité de la lacune de mercure dans le CdHgTe. De plus, la comparaison de spectres de PL d'échantillons dopés arsenic pendant la croissance par épitaxie par jets moléculaires (EJM) avec des mesures disponibles réalisées par absorption de rayons X (EXAFS) a permis d'observer des transitions optiques associées aux différents complexes arsenic formés avant et après le recuit d'activation. Par ailleurs, un travail de modélisation du phénomène de désordre d'alliage dans le CdHgTe a été réalisé. Plus précisément, un modèle basé sur une statistique gaussienne associée aux fluctuations d'alliage autour d'un gap moyen et une statistique de Boltzman a été développé pour ajuster dans un premier temps des spectres d'absorption puis pour ajuster les spectres de photoluminescence. Ce modèle nous a permis d'ajuster étroitement les spectres de photoluminescence et d'absorption, tout en prenant en compte intrinsèquement le désordre d'alliage du matériau. Nous avons ainsi constaté que l'ajustement des spectres par des fonctions gaussiennes comme il est réalisé communément dans la littérature permet de trouver les bons écarts entre les pics d'émission et donc les bonnes énergies d'ionisation.. Dans un deuxième temps, toujours dans le cas de la détection infrarouge, le travail a porté sur l'étude du substrat CdZnTe utilisé pour l'épitaxie du CdHgTe. Des comparaisons des spectres de PL avec les paramètres de croissance ont été effectuées. Plus particulièrement, une étude sur une zone spécifique de certains échantillons présentant une absorption du rayonnement IR a été réalisée afin d'en comprendre l'origine. Enfin, nous nous sommes intéressés à la couche de CdS, matériau II-VI dopé intrinsèquement (type n) utilisé comme fenêtre transparente et formant la jonction p-n avec le CdTe dans les cellules solaires, détecteurs de lumière visible. Dans cette partie, nous avons chercher à étudier l'influence des différentes méthodes de dépôts, sublimation ou bain chimique de la couche de CdS sur un substrat de verre, en comparant les spectres d'émission de photoluminescence obtenus ainsi que les types de traitements thermiques effectués après dépôts. Ces mesures ont été corrélées avec le rendement des cellules solaires finales.

Using the method of breaking circular symmetry and the subsequent symmetry restoration via projection techniques, we calculate the ground-state energies and excitation spectra of N-electrons confined in parabolic quantum dots in strong magnetic fields in the medium-size range 10<=N <=30. The physical picture is that of finite rotating electron molecules (REMs) comprising multiple rings, with the rings rotating independently of each other. A derived analytic expression for the energetics is applicable to arbitrary sizes given the corresponding ring configuration of classical point charges. Also by exact diagonalization (EXD) method, we show the spectrum and structure of few electrons, 2<=N<=3, confined in elliptical dots at finite magnetic field. The results suggest the formation of a state of Wigner-molecular properties with spin associated, which has great instructions for the development of quantum register in quantum computing.

This dissertation presents the design, control, and implementation of a compact highprecision multidimensional positioner. This precision-positioning system consists of a novel concentrated-field magnet matrix and a triangular single-moving part that carries three 3-phase permanent-magnet planar-levitation-motor armatures. Since only a single levitated moving part, namely the platen, generates all required fine and coarse motions, this positioning system is reliable and potentially cost-effective. The three planar levitation motors based on the Lorentz-force law not only produce the vertical force to levitate the triangular platen but also control the platen's position and orientation in the horizontal plane. Three laser distance sensors are used to measure vertical, x-, and yrotation motions. Three 2-axis Hall-effect sensors are used to determine lateral motions and rotation motion about the z-axis by measuring the magnetic flux density generated by the magnet matrix. This positioning system has a total mass of 1.52 kg, which is the minimized mass to produce better dynamic performance. In order to reduce the mass of the moving platen, it is made of Delrin with a mass density of 1.54 g/cm3 by Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining. The platen can be regarded a pure mass, and the spring and damping effects are neglected except for the vertical dynamic. Single-input single-output (SISO) digital lead-lag controllers and a multivariable Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller were designed and implemented. Real-time control was performed with the Linux-Ubuntu operating system OS. Real Time Application Interface (RTAI) for Linux works with Comedi and Comedi libraries and enables closed-loop real-time control. One of the key advantages of this positioning stage with Hall-effect sensors is the extended travel range and rotation angle in the horizontal mode. The maximum travel ranges of 220 mm in x and 200 mm in y were achieved experimentally. Since the magnet matrix generates periodical sinusoidal flux densities in the x-y plane, the travel range can be extended by increasing the number of magnet pitches. The rotation angle of 12 degrees was achieved in rotation around z. The angular velocities of 0.2094 rad/s and 4.74 rad/s were produced by a 200-mm-diameter circular motion and a 30-mm-diameter spiral motion, respectively. The maximum velocity of 16.25 mm/s was acquired from over one pitch motion. The maximum velocity of 17.5 mm/s in a 8-mm scanning motion was achieved with the acceleration of 72.4 m/s2. Step responses demonstrated a 10-um resolution and 6-um rms position noise in the translational mode. For the vertical mode, step responses of 5 um in z, 0.001 degrees in roation around x, and 0.001 degrees in rotation around y were achieved. This compact single-moving-part positioner has potential applications for precisionpositioning systems in semiconductor- manufacturing.

This dissertation focuses on the study of spin-dependent transport in systems with strong spin-orbit coupling within their band structure. In particular we focus on the anomalous Hall effect, the spin Hall effect, and the Aharonov-Casher effect whose origins, are linked to the presence of spin-orbit coupling. Given the theoretical controversy surrounding these effects we further simplify our studies to semiconductor systems where the band structure is much simpler than in metallic systems with heavy elements. To obtain finite analytical results we focus on reduced dimensions (two and one dimensions) which can be explored experimentally. To set the stage, we discuss the origins of the strong spin-orbit coupling in semiconductors deriving the effective interaction from the Dirac equation. We discuss in detail the skew scattering contribution to the anomalous Hall effect in two-dimensional systems, which is dominant for systems with low impurity concentrations, and find that it is reduced when the two chiral subbands are partially occupied in an electron gas and vanishes for a hole gas, regardless of the band filling. We also present calculations for all contributing mechanisms. We propose a device to test this prediction and study the crossover from the intrinsic to the extrinsic anomalous Hall effect. We calculate all contributions to the anomalous Hall effect in electron systems using the Kubo-Streda formalism. We find that all contributions vanish when both subbands are occupied and that the skew scattering contribution dominates when only the majority subband is occupied. We calculate the interference effects due to spin-orbit interaction in mesoscopic ring structures patterned from HgTe quantum wells related to the Aharonov-Casher effect and the spin Hall effect. We find that the transport properties are affected by the carrier density as well as the spin orbit interaction. We find that the conductivity is larger in hole gas systems. We also show that devices with inhomogenous spin orbit interaction exhibit an electrically controlled spin-flipping mechanism.

We haved studied the magneto-transport properties of two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in Si £_-doped In0.22Ga0.78As/AlGaAs single quantum wells ( QWs ) by using Shubnikov-de Haas ( SdH ) measurements . From the SdH measurement , we can clearly observe the SdH oscillations and obtain the SdH frequencies. It indicates the 2DEG in these QWs was confirmed . We also obtain the deep level binding energies¡G 104.4 meV and 9.6 meV for sample 1 and 50.2meV for sample2 by T-dependent Van der Pauw Hall effect measure- ment at magnetic field 0.3T. The difference of these two samples was the In0.1Ga0.9As layer of sample 2 was inserted between In0.22Ga0.78As well and the GaAs spacers . So in this paper , we tried to propose a model to interpret the deep-level traps in the QWs and studied the effect of In0.1Ga0.9As inserted-layer on the In0.22Ga0.78As/GaAs Single Quantum Wells.