Le travail rapporté dans ce mémoire de thèse concerne la synthèse et la caractérisation de nouveaux semi-conducteurs organiques basés sur un coeur bithiophène. Ce travail s'inscrit dans le prolongement de précédents travaux réalisés au laboratoire portant sur des dérivés du type distyryl-oligothiophènes. Au cours de ce travail, plusieurs voies de synthèse ont été développées afin de fonctionnaliser un coeur bithiophène, rigide ou non, avec différents groupements fonctionnels, principalement pour trois types d'applications : (i) la réalisation de transistors à base de couche mince organique (OFETs), (ii) l'élaboration de cellules solaires à partir de composés push-pull et (iii) le développement de capteurs. Le premier chapitre est consacré à la fonctionnalisation du benzo-[2,1-b:3,4-b']dithiophène-4,5-dione soit par des groupements mésogéniques soit par des motifs aminostyryles. L'objectif est la possibilité de préparer des OFETs par la voie liquide et de tirer profit des propriétés cristal liquide pour améliorer les performances électriques. Les propriétés cristal liquides ont été décrites, et les transistors réalisés. Malheureusement aucune mobilité de porteur de charge n'a pu être enregistrée. Dans un deuxième temps, des modifications structurales ont été apportées sur certaine des structures synthétisées afin d'améliorer les propriétés recherchées. Toutefois, au moment de la rédaction de ce manuscrit, les OFETs n'étaient pas réalisés. Dans le deuxième chapitre, de nouvelles molécules push-pull de type cruciformes ont été synthétisées dans le but d'évaluer leurs performances en tant que composés organiques actifs dans des dispositifs photovoltaïques. / The work reported herein concerns the synthesis and the characterization of new organic semiconductors built around the bithiophene core. It was relied on an extended work carried out previously in our laboratory on distyryloligothiophene derivatives. The main part of this work was dedicated to develop new functionalized organic semi-conductors with the aim to improve their properties for optoelectronic applications, mainly for: i) the realization of transistors with organic thin layer (OFETs), ii) the elaboration of solar cells from push-pull derivatives and iii) the development of sensors. The first chapter is devoted to the functionalization of the benzo-[2,1-b:3,4-b ']bithiophene-4,5-dione core either by mesogenic or aminostyryl groups with the purpose to improve, using liquid crystal properties, the microscopic ordering and the electrical performances of the synthetized organic semiconductors as well as their solution processability. Besides the liquid crystal properties characterization showing interesting behavior, the OFET devices have been made from those semiconductors but unfortunately have led to, as unexpected, poor charge transport properties. Some structural modifications have been done in order to optimize the charge transport characteristics nevertheless their electrical characterization still under progress up to now. In a second part, some push-pull derivatives, having a cruciform-like structure, have been synthetized and characterized in order to use them as an active organic layer in photovoltaic devices. Their optoelectronic properties have been evaluated and reported.

Ces dernières années, de nombreux travaux de recherche ont été dédiés aux matériaux moléculaires à transition de spin à base de FeII, aussi bien du point de vue de la compréhension des phénomènes fondamentaux que de la mise en forme en vue d'applications. Ces matériaux présentent deux configurations électroniques inter-commutables sous l'effet d'une perturbation extérieure (bistabilité thermique et optique). Des interactions intra- et intermoléculaires fortes au sein du réseau cristallin peuvent conférer au matériau un comportement coopératif associé à des transitions de spin abruptes et un caractère hystérétique à l'origine d'un effet mémoire. La compréhension de l'origine de la coopérativité ainsi que sa maîtrise présentent à ce jour un intérêt certain. L'effet de la dilution métallique sur les propriétés de commutation photoinduites dans les composés FexZn1-x(btr)2(NCS)2.H2O est étudié par diffraction des rayons X sur monocristal. Un modèle microscopique expliquant les différents processus mis en jeu au cours de la transition (nucléation et séparation de phase) est proposé à partir d'une analyse structurale des données. Les effets de nanostructuration sont étudiés sur le polymère de coordination unidimensionnel [Fe(Htrz)2trz](BF4). Différents milieux inverses à base de tensioactif et d'organisation structurale variée (systèmes moléculaires organisés) ont été choisis pour une synthèse en environnement confiné (milieu micellaire inverse, phase cristal liquide hexagonale inverse (HII) et lamellaire (Lalpha)). Un lien entre la taille et la morphologie des particules, leur microstructure et leurs propriétés physico-chimiques est établi. Un intérêt particulier est porté à la dynamique de la réaction en milieu cristal liquide / In the last years, intensive research activity has been dedicated to iron(II)-based spin transition compounds, for a better understanding of the fundamental phenomena as within the scope of practical application. These molecular materials possess two electronic configurations, which are interchangeable by the application of an external perturbation (thermal and optic bistability). Strong electron-lattice coupling may lead to cooperative behaviour, consequently abrupt spin transitions and hysteretic behaviour at the origin of a memory effect. Understanding and controlling this property is of primary interest in fundamental and applied research. The influence of metal dilution on the photo-induced transitions in FexZn1-x(btr)2(NCS)2.H2O is investigated by X-Ray diffraction on single crystals. We suggest a microscopic model interpreting the dynamics of the phase transition (nucleation and growth mechanisms of spin-like domains) through a structural analysis of the diffraction data. The effects of nanostructuration on the physicochemical properties have been studied on the one-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe(Htrz)2trz](BF4). Different surfactant-based organized molecular systems with various structural organizations are chosen for the synthesis in confined environments: reverse micellar solutions as well as lamellar (Lalpha) and reverse hexagonal (HII) liquid crystal phases. A relationship between size and shape, microstructure and physicochemical properties is established with a specific attention to reaction dynamics in the liquid crystal phase

This thesis presents a series of studies of quenched random disorder (QRD) on liquid crystals. We have used high-resolution AC-Calorimetry, high-resolution X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Intensity Fluctuation Spectroscopy (XIFS), Turbidity, Integrated Low-Angle Light Scattering (ILALS), as well as Polarizing Microscopy to characterize the effects of a nano-colloidal dispersions of aerosils in the phase transitions of several liquid crystals. The aerosil ($SIL$) is made of 70~AA~ diameter SiO$_{2}$ particles coated with hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The coating allows the $SIL$ particles to hydrogen-bond together, to form a very low density gel in an organic solvent. This provides the quenched random disorder. The liquid crystals of interest are: octyloxycyanobiphenyl ($8OCB$), 4-extit{n}-pentylphenylthiol-4'-extit{n}-octyloxybenzoate (ar{8}$S5), 4'-transbutyl-4-cyano-4-heptyl-bicyclohexane ($CCN47$), and octylcyanobiphenyl ($8CB$). Studies have been carried out as a function of aerosil concentration and temperature spanning the following phase transitions, Isotropic to Nematic (emph{I-N}), nematic to smectic-emph{A} (emph{N-SmA}), smectic-emph{A} to smectic-emph{C} (emph{SmA-SmC}), and crystallization.

In the past decade, there has been an increased interest in low-cost, low-power, high data rate wireless systems for both commercial and defense applications. Some of these include air defense systems, remote sensing radars, and communication systems that are used for unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, and even the individual consumer. All of these applications require state-of-the-art technologies to push the limits on several design factors such as functionality, weight, size, conformity, and performance while remaining cost effective. There are several potential solutions to accomplish these objectives and a highly pursued path is through the utilization of advanced integrated system platforms with high frequency, versatile, multilayered materials. This work intends to explore advanced 3-D integration for state-of the art components in wireless systems using LCP multilayer organic platforms. Several packaging techniques are discussed that utilize the inherent benefits of this material. Wire bond, via interconnect, and flip-chip packages are implemented at RF and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies to explore the benefits of each in terms of convenience, reliability, cost, and performance. These techniques are then utilized for the demonstration of bulk acoustic waveguide (BAW) filter applications and for the realization of highly integrated phased-array antenna systems.

This thesis discusses the investigation and utilization of a new promising thin-film material, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), for microwave and millimeter-wave (mm-wave [>30 GHz]) components and packages. The contribution of this research is in the determination of LCP's electrical and mechanical properties as they pertain to use in radio frequency (RF) systems up to mm-wave frequencies, and in evaluating LCP as a low-cost substrate and packaging material alternative to the hermetic materials traditionally desired for microwave circuits at frequencies above a few gigahertz (GHz). A study of LCP's mm-wave material properties was performed. Resonant circuit structures were designed to find the dielectric constant and loss tangent from 2-110 GHz under both ambient and elevated temperature conditions. Several unique processes were developed for the realization of novel multilayer LCP-based RF circuits. These processes include thermocompression bonding with tight temperature control (within a few degrees Celsius), precise multilayer alignment and patterning, and LCP laser processing with three different types of lasers. A proof-of-concept design that resulted from this research was a dual-frequency dual-polarization antenna array operating at 14 and 35 GHz. Device characterization such as mechanical flexibility testing of antennas and seal testing of packages were also performed. A low-loss interconnect was developed for laser-machined system-level thin-film LCP packages. These packages were designed for and measured with both RF micro-electromechanical (MEM) switches and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). These research findings have shown LCP to be a material with uniquely attractive properties/capabilities for vertically integrated, compact multilayer LCP circuits and modules.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Herstellung und Charakterisierung neuer sternförmiger Mesogene. Bei den aufgeführten Sternverbindungen, handelt es sich um Oligobenzoate, bestehend aus aromatischen Hydroxy- oder Aminocarbonsäuren, die durch Kupplungsreaktionen mit Dicylohexycarbodiimid, in einer konvergenten Synthesestrategie verknüpft wurden. Das besondere Augenmerk der Arbeit richtete sich auf die Charakterisierung der von den neuen Substanzen gebildeten Mesophasen, die mit Hilfe von Polarisationsmikrokopie, dynamischer Differenzialkalorimetrie und Röntgenstreuung erfolgte. Zur Aufklärung spezieller dreidimensionaler Strukturen wurden als zusätzliche Methoden die Rasterkraftmikroskopie angewandt und der Zirkulardichroismus untersucht.

Liquid crystals exhibit a great variety of phases which differ one from another by their structure and physical properties. Near a phase transition, these mesoscopic phases are very sensitive to the surface interactions showing interfacial phenomena which are extraordinarily variable and interesting. The interaction between boundary surfaces and liquid crystal molecules results in surface layers with properties strongly different from the interior ones. For example, it is observed experimentally the unusual phenomenon of layer thinning upon heating. Above the bulk Smetic A - Isotropic transition temperature, the film is thinned to a low number of layers as the temperature increases. The temperature of these layer thinning transitions are related to the film thickness by means of a simple power-law. The characteristic exponent, &#956;, measured from experiments using distinct compounds, varies slightly in the range 0.6 < &#956; < 0.8. In this work, we investigate how surface effects modify the order parameter profiles in the vicinity of the Smectic-A-Isotropic (Sm A - I) transition in freestanding liquid crystal films using an extended mean-field approach which allows to incorporate explicitly the anchoring of the surface layers in the effective potential. We observed the contribution of the surface anchoring to the film stability. We found that there is a characteristic surface anchoring above which the bulk layers are less ordered than the surface ones. We also determine the characteristic exponent which governs the transition temperature dependence with the film thickness. We show that the different values of the exponents are related with the ratio between the size of the central rigid portion of the molecules and the typical layer spacing, as well as to the range of film thicknesses investigated. Our results qualitatively reproduce the main experimental findings concerning the layer thinning transitions in free-standing smectic films. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Cristais líquidos exibem uma grande variedade de fases que diferem umas das outras por suas propriedades físicas e estruturais. Próximo a uma transição de fase, estes compostos são bastante sensíveis às interações superficiais apresentando fenômenos interfaciais que são extraodinariamente variados e interessantes. A interação entre as surperfícies limitantes e as moléculas de cristal líquido produz camadas superficiais com propriedades muito diferentes das camadas interiores do filme. Por exemplo, observa-se experimentalmente o fenômeno não-usual da redução de camadas ocasionado pelo aquecimento do filme. Acima da temperatura de transição esmética-A - Isotrópica da porção interior do filme, a amostra é reduzida para um número menor de camadas com o aumento da temperatura. A temperatura dessas transições por redução de camadas se relaciona com a espessura do filme por meio de uma lei de potência simples. O expoente característico, &#956;, medido experimentalmente usando compostos distintos, varia ligeiramente no intervalo 0.6 < &#956; < 0.8. Neste trabalho, investigamos como os efeitos de superfície modificam os perfis dos parâmetros de ordem na vizinhan¸ca da transição Esmética-A-Isotrópica (EsmA- I) em filmes de cristal líquido livremente suspensos, usando uma aproximação de campo médio estendida que permite incorporar explicitamente o ancoramento das camadas superficiais no potencial efetivo. Observamos a contribuição do ancoramento das superfícies para a estabilidade do filme. Encontramos que há um ancoramento superficial característico acima do qual as camadas da porção central do filme são menos ordenadas que as camadas da superfície. Também determinamos o expoente característico que governa a dependência da temperatura de transição com a espessura do filme. Mostramos que os diferentes valores dos expoentes estão relacionados com a razão entre o comprimento da porção central (rígida) das moléculas e o espaçamento típico entre as camadas, bem como com a espessura dos filmes estudados. Nossos resultados reproduzem qualitativamente os principais dados experimentais relacionados com as transições por redução de camadas em filmes esméticos livremente suspensos.

Submitted by Vasti Diniz (vastijpa@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-18T12:28:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2590482 bytes, checksum: a72ba5c8c44731f3cffe38777111a92d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-18T12:28:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2590482 bytes, checksum: a72ba5c8c44731f3cffe38777111a92d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Aspects of the physics of nematic liquid crystals are studied in this thesis from the viewpoint of riemannian geometry through analogue models of gravitation. The topics chosen for study were: geometric and wave optics, elastic waves, hydrodynamics and heat conduction. The main analogue model used is based on the interpretation of Fermat’s principle as a process to obtain null geodesics, where the liquid crystalline material is seen as a riemannian manifold. This approach predicts that the metric effectively felt by the light ray depends on the configuration of molecules in the liquid crystal and on the parallel and perpendicular refractive indexes to the axis of symmetry of the liquid-cristal molecule. It is known that, for the particular case of the existence of topological defects within the material, effective metric similar to cosmological defects (like global monopoles and cosmic strings) are obtained. This thesis develops itself on the situation where there are topological defects of hedgehog type and (k = 1, c = 0) disclination type in the nematic phase of the liquid crystalline material. The first problem studied, as a review, deals with the wave optics, with respect to the light diffracted by the cited defects. Since plane waves of small wavelength have identical trajectories to light rays, the use of analog model is therefore justified. Thus, we show that light scattered by these defects generates a characteristic diffraction pattern, being the location given by an algebraic expression dependent on the parallel and perpendicular refractive indexes to the axis of symmetry of the molecule. We also show how theses patterns depend on the temperature of the material. The second studied problem deals with the geometrical optics and hydrodynamics of the nematic liquid crystals. From a molecular configuration similar to a (k = 1, c = 0) disclination, we let the material flow radially towards the axis of the defect. Then, using the hydrodynamic fact that velocity gradients in the material locally change the refractive index of the molecule, we find the velocity profile that must exist around the defect so that the metric actually experienced by light traveling in the plane perpendicular to the axis the defect is the Schwarzschild one in the equatorial plane, with the Schwarzschild radius interior to the object. We found that the absolute values of the velocity of liquid crystalline fluid can be order of a few meters per second, differing greatly from the values obtained by Gordon metric for an isotropic fluid under identical conditions. The third studied problem deals with the elastic oscillations in the presence of topological defects. Similarly to the first problem, the trajectory of the sound is obtained by an elastic version of Fermat’s principle and, then, compared with a null geodesic. We show how topological defects influence the sound trajectories and the sound diffracted by them. The fourth problem deals with the heat conduction in the vicinity of defects. Considering that the defects come from an addition or removal of portion of the material, letting the medium relaxes elastically, effective metric of the space disturbed by the defect are found, with expressions similar to those obtained by the analogous model based on Fermat’s principle. These metrics generate a modified thermal conductivity tensor, allowing the study of the temperature field in this situation. We show that, depending on the values of parallel and perpendicular thermal conductivity to the axis of symmetry of the molecule and on the defect in question, the temperature gradient can be accentuated or attenuated on the defect, allowing control of the response thermal temperature of the material, according to the presence of defects. Encouraging a greater understanding of the physics of liquid crystals and its use as a background in analogue models of gravity is the main theme of each analyzed problem. / Aspectos da física dos cristais líquidos nemáticos são estudados nesta tese do ponto de vista da geometria riemannina, por meio de modelos análogos de gravitação. Os tópicos escolhidos para estudo foram: óptica geométrica e ondulatória, ondas elásticas, hidrodinâmica e condução de calor. O principal modelo análogo empregado baseia-se na interpretação do princípio de Fermat como um processo de obtenção de geodésicas nulas, onde o material líquido-cristalino é visto como sendo uma variedade riemanniana. Esta abordagem prevê que a métrica efetivamente sentida pelo raio luminoso dependa da configuração das moléculas dentro do cristal líquido e dos índices de refração paralelo e perpendicular ao eixo de simetria da molécula líquido-cristalina. É sabido que, para o caso especial da existência de defeitos topológicos dentro do material, métricas efetivas semelhantes às de defeitos cosmológicos (como monopolos globais e cordas cósmicas) são obtidas. Esta tese desenrola-se sobre a situação onde existem defeitos topológicos do tipo ouriço e do tipo desclinação (k = 1, c = 0) na fase nemática do material líquido-cristalino. O primeiro problema estudado, em caráter de revisão, trata da óptica ondulatória, no que concerne a difração de luz pelos defeitos citados. Uma vez que ondas planas de comprimento de onda pequeno possuem trajetórias idênticas aos raios luminosos, o emprego do modelo análogo é justificado. Assim, mostramos que a luz espalhada por esses defeitos gera padrões de difração bem característicos, sendo a localização dada por expressão algébrica dependente dos índices de refração paralelo e perpendicular ao eixo de simetria da molécula líquido-cristalina. Também mostramos de que forma esses padrões dependem da temperatura do material. O segundo problema estudado trata da óptica geométrica e da hidrodinâmica dos cristais líquidos nemáticos. A partir de uma configuração de moléculas semelhantes à de uma desclinação (k = 1, c = 0), permitimos que o material flua radialmente na direção do eixo do defeito. Em seguida, fazendo uso do fato hidrodinâmico de que gradientes de velocidade no material modificam localmente os índices de refração da molécula, encontramos o perfil de velocidade que deve existir em torno do defeito para que a métrica efetivamente sentida pela luz, que viaja no plano perpendicular ao eixo do defeito, seja a de Schwarzschild no plano equatorial, com raio de Schwarzschild interior ao objeto. Encontramos que os valores absolutos da velocidade de fluido líquido-cristalino podem ser da ordem de alguns metros por segundo, diferindo enormemente dos valores obtidos pela métrica de Gordon para um fluido isotrópico em condições idênticas. O terceiro problema estudado aborda as oscilações elásticas na presença de defeitos. Semelhantemente ao primeiro problema, a trajetória do som é obtida por uma versão elástica do princípio de Fermat e, então, comparada com uma geodésica nula. Mostramos como defeitos topológicos influenciam nas trajetórias sonoras, assim como no som difratado por eles. O quarto problema trata da condução de calor na vizinhança de defeitos. Considerando que os defeitos são resultantes de uma adição ou remoção de porção de material, dando-se seguimento a uma relaxação elástica do meio, métricas efetivas do espaço perturbado pelo defeito são encontradas, com expressões semelhantes às obtidas pelo modelo análogo baseado no princípio de Fermat. Essas métricas geram um tensor condutividade térmica modificado, dando cabo ao estudo do campo de temperatura nessa situação. Mostramos que, dependendo dos valores da condutividade térmica perpendicular e paralela ao eixo de simetria da molécula líquido-cristalina e do defeito em questão, o gradiente de temperatura pode ser acentuado ou atenuado sobre o defeito, permitindo o controle da resposta térmica do material à temperatura, de acordo com a presença de defeitos. Suscitar um entendimento maior da física dos cristais líquidos e de seu emprego como background em modelos análogos de gravitação é o tema principal de cada um dos problemas analisados.

L'acquisition de la profondeur d'une scène en plus de son image est une caractéristique souhaitable pour de nombreuses applications qui dépendent de l'environnement proche. L'état de l'art dans le domaine de l'extraction de profondeur propose de nombreuses méthodes, mais très peu sont réellement adaptées aux systèmes embarqués miniaturisés. Certaines parce qu'elles sont trop encombrantes en raison de leur système optique, d'autres parce qu'elles nécessitent une calibration délicate, ou des méthodes de reconstructions difficilement implantables dans un système embarqué. Dans cette thèse nous nous concentrons sur des méthodes a faible complexité matérielle afin de proposer une solution algorithmique et optique pour réaliser un capteur permettant à la fois d'extraire la profondeur de la scène, de fournir une évaluation de pertinence de cette mesure et de proposer des images focalisées en tout point. Dans ce sens, nous montrons que les algorithmes du type Depth from Focus (DfF) sont les plus adaptés à ces contraintes. Ce procédé consiste à acquérir un cube d'images multi-focus d'une même scène pour différentes distances de focalisation. Les images sont analysées afin d'annoter chacune des zones de la scène d'un indice relatif à sa profondeur estimée. Cet indice est utilisé pour reconstruire une image nette en tout point.Nous avons travaillé sur la notion de netteté afin de proposer des solutions peu complexes, uniquement basées sur des additions et comparaisons, et de fait, facilement adaptables pour un portage sur une architecture matérielle. La solution proposée effectue une analyse bidirectionnelle de contraste local puis combine les meilleures estimations de profondeur en fin de traitement. Elle se décline en trois approches avec une restriction de la complexité de plus en plus forte et ainsi une aptitude de plus en plus marquée pour l'embarqué. Pour chaque méthode, des cartes de profondeurs et de confiances sont établies, ainsi qu'une image totalement focalisée constituée d'éléments issus de l'ensemble du cube multi-focus. Ces approches sont comparées en qualité et en complexité à d'autres méthodes de l'état de l'art de complexité similaire. Une architecture est proposée pour une implantation matérielle de la solution la plus prometteuse. La conception de ces algorithmes soulève le problème de la qualité d'image. Il est en effet primordial d'avoir une évolution remarquable du contraste ainsi qu'une invariance de la scène lors de la capture du cube multi-focus. Un effet très souvent négligé dans ce type d'approche est le zoom parasite provoqué par la lentille responsable de la variation de focus. Ce zoom de focalisation fragilise l'aspect invariance de la scène et provoque l'apparition d'artefacts sur les trois informations Profondeur, Image et Confiance. La recherche d'optiques adaptées au DfF constitue donc un second axe de ces travaux. Nous avons évalué des lentilles liquides industrielles et des lentilles modales expérimentales à cristaux liquides nématiques conçues durant cette thèse. Ces technologies ont été comparées en termes de rapidité, de qualité d'image, d'intensité de zoom de focalisation engendré, de tension d'alimentation et enfin de qualité des cartes de profondeur extraites et des images totalement focalisées reconstruites.La lentille et l'algorithme répondant le mieux à cette problématique DfF embarqué ont ensuite été évalués via le portage sur une plateforme de développement CPU-GPU permettant l'acquisition d'images et de cartes de profondeurs et de confiances en temps réel. / Acquiring the depth of a scene in addition to its image is a desirable feature for many applications which depend on the near environment. The state of the art in the field of depth extraction offers many methods, but very few are well adapted to small embedded systems. Some of them are too cumbersome because of their large optical system. Others might require a delicate calibration or processing methods which are difficult to implement in an embedded system. In this PhD thesis, we focus on methods with low hardware complexity in order to propose algorithms and optical solutions that extract the depth of the scene, provide a relevance evaluation of this measurement and produce all-in-focus images. We show that Depth from Focus (DfF) algorithms are the most adapted to embedded electronics constraints. This method consists in acquiring a cube of multi-focus images of the same scene for different focusing distances. The images are analyzed in order to annotate each zone of the scene with an index relative to its estimated depth. This index is then used to build an all in focus image. We worked on the sharpness criterion in order to propose low complexity solutions, only based on additions and comparisons, easily adaptable on a hardware architecture. The proposed solution uses bidirectional local contrast analysis and then combines the most relevant depth estimations based on detection confidence at the end of treatment. It is declined in three approaches which need less and less processing and thus make them more and more adapted for a final embedded solution. For each method, depth and confidence maps are established, as well as an all-in-focus image composed of elements from the entire multi-focus cube. These approaches are compared in quality and complexity with other state-of-the-art methods which present similar complexity. A hardware implementation of the best solution is proposed. The design of these algorithms raises the problem of image quality. It is indeed essential to have a remarkable contrast evolution as well as a motionless scene during the capture of the multi-focus cube. A very often neglected effect in this type of approach is the parasitic zoom caused by the lens motion during a focus variation. This "focal zoom" weakens the invariance aspect of the scene and causes artifacts on the depth and confidence maps and on the all in focus image. The search for optics adapted to DfF is thus a second line of research in this work. We have evaluated industrial liquid lenses and experimental nematic liquid crystal modal lenses designed during this thesis. These technologies were compared in terms of speed, image quality, generated focal zoom intensity, power supply voltage and finally the quality of extracted depth maps and reconstructed all in focus images. The lens and the algorithm which best suited this embedded DfF issue were then evaluated on a CPU-GPU development platform allowing real time acquisition of depth maps, confidence maps and all in focus images.