Cette thèse porte sur l’étude de la génération, la propagation et la détection d’ondes de spin dans des nanostructures et microstructures élaborées à partir de couches ultra-minces (quelques nanomètres d’épaisseur) de Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG). Ce travail se trouve à l’interface entre deux thématiques du magnétisme : la magnonique et la spintronique. Grâce aux effets spin-orbite dans des microstrutures YIG|Pt, il a été possible d’étudier et de manipuler la dynamique d’aimantation du YIG, un matériau utilisé de longues dates sous forme de films épais ou billes pour ses très faibles pertes magnétiques. Ce travail ouvre la voie au développement de circuits magnoniques submicroniques soit pour le traitement des signaux hyperfréquences pour les applications télécom soit pour la réalisation de circuits logiques dans la perspective du remplacement de la technologie CMOS (beyond-CMOS). Ce travail repose sur une expertise dans la croissance de films de YIG développée au laboratoire. Les couches ultra-minces de YIG ont été élaborées par ablation laser pulsée. Pour les meilleurs films ayant une épaisseur de 20 nm, la constante d’amortissement de Gilbert caractérisant les pertes des films, estimée par résonance ferromagnétique, est typiquement de α=3x10⁻ 4. Cette avancée cruciale sur l’aspect matériau a ouvert au début de ma thèse un champ de possibilités pour la réalisation et l’étude de dispositifs magnoniques. En effet, la diminution des épaisseurs a permis d’ouvrir le YIG au domaine de la micro/nanofabrication, levant ainsi un verrou technologique vieux de plusieurs décennies. Nous avons donc pu montrer par des mesures inductives et optiques que la propagation d’ondes de spin dans des guides d’onde de YIG de 20 nm d’épaisseur pouvait être faite sur plusieurs dizaines de microns. Prouvant que la structuration des films de YIG n’altère pas la propagation des ondes de spin ouvrant la voie vers la réalisation de circuits magnoniques plus complexes. En structurant ces films de YIG pour obtenir des cristaux magnoniques, il est possible de générer une modulation spatiale du potentiel vu par les ondes de spin, se traduisant par l’apparition de bande interdite (ou gap) dans la transmittance de fréquences. L’étude de la propagation des ondes de spin dans un cristal a montré l’apparition d’un gap par des mesures BLS, accompagnée par une augmentation de l’atténuation pour la longueur d’onde de Bragg. Pour la première fois dans des films ultra-minces de YIG, ce gap montre la possibilité de réaliser une fonctionnalité de filtrage fréquentiel. La preuve de concept a été validée pour un cristal magnonique adapté pour l’intégration à des dispositifs magnoniques. Afin de manipuler et exciter la dynamique d’aimantation du YIG, nous avons dans une deuxième partie réalisée des microstructures à base de bicouche YIG|Pt. L’injection d’un courant électrique dans le Pt donne naissance, grâce à l’effet Hall de spin, à une accumulation de spin qui se couple à l’interface avec l’aimantation du YIG et permet ainsi d’exercer un couple de transfert de spin (STT) et de générer une dynamique d’aimantation du YIG. Nous avons mis en évidence la modulation d’un facteur cinq de la longueur d’atténuation des ondes de spin se propageant dans une piste YIG|Pt grâce à l’amplification des ondes de spin par STT. Ce contrôle efficace de l’atténuation s’avère très intéressant pour le transport d’information porté par les ondes de spin, afin d’amplifier ou supprimer les ondes de spin et donc sélectionner l’information transmise. Par ailleurs, au-delà d’un courant critique d’injection, nous avons pu observer des auto-oscillations de l’aimantation du YIG à la fois dans des plots ou des pistes. Ce résultat confirme la possibilité d’exciter électriquement la dynamique d’aimantation du YIG par STT. Une étude rigoureuse de ce régime a été effectuée dans des microdisques YIG|Pt pour déterminer le comportement des auto-oscillations et imager les modes d’ondes de spin excités dans le YIG. / The aim of this thesis is to study the generation, propagation and detection of spin waves in nanostructures and microstrutures based on ultrathin (a few nanometers thickness) Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) films. This work is at the interface between two fields of magnetism: magnonics and spintronics. Thanks to spin-orbit effects in YIG|Pt microstructures, it has been possible to study and manipulate YIG magnetization dynamic, a material known and used for a long time as thick films or spheres due to its very low magnetic losses. This work opens the path towards the development of submicronic magnonic circuits either for processing radiofrequency signals of for the realization of spin waves logic devices for a future beyond-CMOS technology. Prior to the present work, a significant efforts have been made in the lab to grow epitaxial nanometer thick YIG films by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). It was possible to reduce the film thickness down to a few nanometers while preserving excellent magnetic properties. For the best YIG films having a thickness of 20 nm, ferromagnetic resonance measurements yield a Gilbert magnetic damping of α=3x10⁻ 4 . This value is comparable to micrometer thick YIG films grown by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). This important step forward on the material aspect opened new possibilities for the realization of magnonic devices that can have a large impact on the ICT industry. Indeed, microfabrication of YIG is now possible thanks to the advent of high quality nanometer thick YIG films. Thus, we have observed the propagation of spin waves in 20-nm thick, 2.5 µm wide YIG waveguides over large distances using inductive and optical detection. Spin-wave propagation characteristics are not affected by microstructuration opening the path to the reliable design of complex magnonic circuits.By structuring YIG films to obtain magnonic crystals, it is possible to generate spatial modulation of the potential seen by spin waves, resulting in the appearance of gaps in the transmittance in frequency. To do so, magnonic crystals implemented in form of microscopic waveguides whose width is periodically varied, were fabricated. The study of spin-wave propagation showed the appearance of a gap accompanied by an increase of the spin-wave attenuation length due to Bragg reflection. For the first time in ultrathin YIG films, this gap shows the possibility to realize radiofrequency filtering. In order to manipulate and excite YIG magnetization dynamics, we have designed YIG|Pt microstructures either stripes or microdisks. Thanks to the spin Hall effect, an electrical current passing in Pt generates a transverse spin accumulation coupled at the interface to the YIG’s magnetization making it possible to exert spin transfer torque (STT). We have highlighted an efficient modulation, by a factor of five, of the spin-wave attenuation length. This control on the decay constant proves to be very interesting for the transport of information using spin waves as data carriers, in order to be able to amplify or suppress spin waves and to select transmitted information. In addition, beyond a critical current, we have induced auto-oscillations of YIG magnetization, either in stripes of microdisks, confirming the possibility to electrically excite YIG magnetization dynamics using STT. A rigorous study of this nonlinear regime has been carried out in YIG|Pt microdisks to determine auto-oscillations behavior and to observe directly dynamic modes excited in YIG.

This research introduces a satellite characterization method based on its light curve by utilizing and adapting the methodology of compressed sensing. Compressed sensing is a mathematical theory, which is established in signal compression and which has recently been applied to an image reconstruction by single-pixel camera observation. In this thesis, compressed sensing in the use of single-pixel camera observations is compared with a satellite characterization via non-resolved light curves. The assumptions, limitations, and significant differences in utilizing compressed sensing for satellite characterization are discussed in detail. Assuming a reference observation can be used to estimate the so-called sensing matrix, compressed sensing enables to approximately reconstruct resolved satellite images revealing details about the specific satellite that has been observed based solely on non-resolved light curves. This has been shown explicitly in simulations. This result implies the great potential of compressed sensing in characterizing space objects that are so far away that traditional resolved imaging is not possible.

The resident space object population in the near-Earth vicinity has steadily increased since the dawn of the space age. This population is expected to increase drastically in the near future as the realization of proposed mega-constellations is already underway. The resultant congestion in near-Earth space necessitates the availability of more complete and more accurate satellite tracking information to ensure the continued sustainable use of this environment. This work sets out to create an operational system for the delivery of accurate satellite tracking information by means of optical observation. The state estimates resulting from observation series conducted on a GPS satellite and a geostationary satellite are presented and compared to existing catalog information. The satellite state estimate produced by the system is shown to outperform existing two-line element results. Additionally, the statistical information provided by the processing pipeline is evaluated and found to be representative of the best information available for the satellites true state.

In the recent years, interest in TM oxides with 5d valence electrons has grown immensely due to the realization of novel spin-orbit coupled ground states. In these compounds, e.g., iridates and osmates, the intriguing situation arises where the spin-orbit and electron-electron interactions meet on the same energy scale. This has created a new window of interest in these compounds since the interplay of crystal field effects, local multiplet physics, spin-orbit couplings, and intersite hopping can offer novel types of correlated ground states and excitations. In 5d5 iridates, a spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 Mott insulating state has been realized recently. A remarkable feature of such a ground state is that it gives rise to anisotropic magnetic interactions. The 2D honeycomb-lattice 213 iridium oxides, A2IrO3 (A=Li,Na), have been put forward to host highly anisotropic bond-dependent spin-spin interactions that resemble the Kitaev spin model, which supports various types of topological phases relevant in quantum computing. The 2D square-lattice 214 iridates Sr2IrO4 and Ba2IrO4 are, on the other hand, appealing because of their perceived structural and magnetic simi- larity to La2CuO4, the mother compound of the cuprate high-Tc superconductors. This has promoted the latter iridium oxide compounds as novel platforms for the search of high-Tc superconductivity. To put such considerations on a firm footing, it is essential to quantify the different coupling strengths and energy scales, as they for instance appear in effective Hamiltonian descriptions of these correlated systems. Moreover, it is important to correctly describe their effects. In this thesis, the electronic structure and magnetic properties of 5d5 (mainly 214 and 213) iridates are studied using wave-function-based quantum chemistry methods. These methods are fully ab initio and are capable of accurately treating the electron-electron interactions without using any ad hoc parameters. The spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 ground state in 214, 213 and other lower symmetry Sr3CuIrO6 and Na4Ir3O8 iridates is first analyzed in detail, by studying the local electronic structure of the 5d5 Ir4+ ion. We establish that the longer-range crystal anisotropy, i.e., low-symmetry fields related to ionic sites beyond the nearest neighbor oxygen cage, strongly influence the energies of Ir d levels. The ground state in all the compounds studied is j = 1/2 like with admixture from j ≃ 3/2 states ranging from 1 – 15 %. Further, the average j ≃ 1/2 → j ≃ 3/2 excitation energy we find is around 0.6 eV. The NN magnetic exchange interactions we computed for 214 iridates are predominantly isotropic Heisenberg-like with J ~ 60 meV, 3 – 4 times smaller than found in isostructural copper oxides. However, the anisotropic interactions are an order of magnitude larger than those in cuprates. Our estimates are in excellent agreement with those extracted from experiments, e.g., resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. For the 213 honeycomb-lattice Na2IrO3 our calculations show that the relevant spin Hamiltonian contains further anisotropic terms beyond the Kitaev-Heisenberg model. Nevertheless, we predict that the largest energy scale is the Kitaev interaction, 10 to 20 meV, while the Heisenberg superexchange and off-diagonal symmetric anisotropic couplings are significantly weaker. In the sister compound Li2IrO3, we find that the structural inequivalence between the two types of Ir-Ir links has a striking influence on the effective spin Hamiltonian, leading in particular to two very different NN superexchange pathways, one weakly AF (~ 1 meV) and another strongly FM (−19 meV). The latter gives rise to rigid spin-1 triplets on a triangular lattice.

Today, Mars is one of the most interesting and important destinations for humankind and copious methods have been proposed to accomplish these future missions. One of the more fascinating methods is the Earth-Mars cycler trajectory which is a trajectory that accomplishes repeat access to Earth and Mars with little to no fuel-burning maneuvers. This would allow fast travel to and from Mars, as well as grant the possibility of multiple missions using the same main vehicle. Insertion from Earth-orbit onto the cycler trajectory has not been thoroughly ex- plored and the only existing method so far is a Hohmann-esque transfer via direct burn. The use of manifolds from gravitational equilibrium points has not been con- sidered for low energy transfer to the cycler trajectory. This work is primarily focused on closing this gap and analyzing the feasibility of this maneuver. To accomplish this, a study of the cycler trajectory – and the S1L1-B class specif- ically – was completed. The required gravity assist maneuvers at each planet was analyzed through V∞ matching and the entire trajectory was generated over the re- quired inertial period. This method allowed for the generation of 2 cycler trajectories of the inbound and outbound classes, which combine to allow for a reduction in the amount of time the astronauts spend in space. The Earth-Sun L2 point is analyzed as a potential hub for the maneuver and a halo orbit about this libration point is optimized for low energy transfer from and Earth parking orbit. The associated invariant manifold is then optimized for launch date and distance to the first trajectory on the cycler in order to burn from a trajectory on the manifold to the cycler trajectory. iv The comparisons of this work lie in the required ∆V to perform each maneuver compared to a direct burn onto the cycler trajectory. These values are compared and the practicality of this maneuver is drawn from these comparisons. It was found that the total required ∆V for the manifold method is larger than a direct burn from Earth orbit. However, this considers the trajectory from Earth to the halo orbit and if this is removed from consideration the ∆V is significantly reduced. It was shown that the feasibility of this method relies heavily on the starting position of the cycler vehicle. If the vehicle begins in Earth-orbit, a direct burn is preferred, however, if the vehicle began in a halo orbit (say it was assembled there) the manifold maneuver is largely preferable.

Highly correlated quantum chemical methods have been appliedto study the photophysical properties of substituted benzenes.With the inclusion of spin-orbit coupling, the phosphorescencesof these molecules have been calculated usingMulti-CongurationalSelf- Consistent Field (MCSCF) quadraticresponse theory. The Herzberg-Teller approximation has beenadopted to evaluate the vibronic contributions tophosphorescence. The performance of hybrid density functional theory (DFT) atthe B3LYP level is examined in comparison to the MP2, CCSD andCCSD(T) methods for the geometry and permanent dipole moment ofp-aminobenzoic acid. The time-dependent DFT/B3LYP method isapplied to calculate the two-photon absorption of a series ofZinc-porphyrin derivatives in combination with a two-statemodel. The transitions between excited singlet and tripletstates of Zinc and Platinum based organometallic compounds havebeen computed using DFT quadratic response theory. The resultsare used to simulate the non-linear propagation of laser pulsesthrough these materials utilizing a dynamical wave propagationmethod.

The GPS data from Challenging Mini-satellite Payload (CHAMP) is used for its orbit determination for the epoch day of January 1st 2002.  The orbit of CHAMP is computed from the GPS data and ionospheric effects are removed by frequency combination. Further, the orbits of CHAMP for the same epoch day are computed using the satellite tool kit (STK) employing simplified general perturbations (SGP4) and a high precision orbit propagator (HPOP). Results from both techniques (GPS computed orbit and STK computed orbit) are compared. Furthermore, orbits computed using GPS data are also compared with jet propulsion laboratory’s published CHAMP spacecraft orbit and we have found that root mean square difference in ECEF position X component is below 0.01km other than some spikes at poles. The standard deviation of the difference in ECEF position X coordinate is 11.7m. The accuracy of our computed satellite positions (using GPS data) is about 12 metres for other than polar areas. However there are some occasional spikes, especially at poles, having maximum errors (about 0.055 km).

GPS data from Challenging Mini-satellite Payload (CHAMP) is used for its orbit determination for the epoch day of January 1st 2002.  The orbit of CHAMP is computed from the GPS data and ionospheric effects are removed by frequency combination. Further, the orbits of CHAMP for the same epoch day are computed using the satellite tool kit (STK) employing simplified general perturbations (SGP4) and a high precision orbit propagator (HPOP). Furthermore, orbits computed using GPS data are also compared with jet propulsion laboratory’s published CHAMP spacecraft orbit and we have found that root mean square difference in ECEF position X component is below 0.01km other than some spikes at poles. The standard deviation of the difference in ECEF position X coordinate (JPL results – GPS computed results) is 11.7m. Since JPL computed orbits are considered as true orbits of CHAMP with accuracy of centimeter level (https://gipsy-oasis.jpl.nasa.gov/). Therefore this difference can also be referred as observed error in GPS computed orbits. Considering above discussion, we can expect that accuracy of our computed satellite positions (using GPS data) is about 12 metres for other than poles area. However there are some occasional spikes, especially at poles, having maximum errors (about 0.055 km).

Satellites commonly use onboard digital cameras, called star trackers. A star tracker determines the satellite's attitude, i.e. its orientation in space, by comparing star positions with databases of star patterns. In this thesis, I investigate the possibility of extending the functionality of star trackers to also detect the presence of resident space objects (RSO) orbiting the earth. RSO consist of both active satellites and orbital debris, such as inactive satellites, spent rocket stages and particles of different sizes. I implement and compare nine detection algorithms based on image analysis. The input is two hundred synthetic images, consisting of a portion of the night sky with added random Gaussian and banding noise. RSO, visible as faint lines in random positions, are added to half of the images. The algorithms are evaluated with respect to sensitivity (the true positive rate) and specificity (the true negative rate). Also, a difficulty metric encompassing execution times and computational complexity is used. The Laplacian of Gaussian algorithm outperforms the rest, with a sensitivity of 0.99, a specificity of 1 and a low difficulty. It is further tested to determine how its performance changes when varying parameters such as line length and noise strength. For high sensitivity, there is a lower limit in how faint the line can appear. Finally, I show that it is possible to use the extracted information to roughly estimate the orbit of the RSO. This can be accomplished using the Gaussian angles-only method. Three angular measurements of the RSO positions are needed, in addition to the times and the positions of the observer satellite. A computer architecture capable of image processing is needed for an onboard implementation of the method.

<p>Positive displacement gear machines are widely used in a variety of industrial applications ranging from fuel injection applications to fluid handling systems to fluid power machinery. Simulation models for these machines are increasingly being developed with greater applicability and more accuracy to meet the industry needs. In this work, a research study is done on contact forces in positive displacement gear machines towards improving the accuracy of the simulation models, which can help gain insights on the underlying physics that govern the performance of the machines.</p> <p><br></p> <p>First, the importance of considering contact forces in simulating a positive displacement gear machine is addressed. For this purpose, an orbit motor reference unit is chosen. A multi-domain simulation tool to evaluate the performance of this reference unit, considering contact features, is developed. The approach for creating the simulation tool is based on coupling of different models: pre-processor tools are created that can provide information needed by fluid dynamic model; a 2D CFD model is created that can evaluate leakages through the lubricating gaps based on pressures from fluid dynamic model; and a fluid dynamic model that can accept inputs from other models and evaluate the primary flow of the unit using a lumped parameter approach. This approach allows an accurate prediction of performance characteristics of orbit unit and the results are compared with those of experiments in terms of flow rate (maximum deviation up to 2.5%) and torque (maximum deviation up to 10%). Variation of performance of the unit by modification of contact features is presented, thus drawing the importance of contact forces in simulating a positive displacement gear machine.</p> <p><br></p> <p>After presenting the importance of contact forces, emphasis is placed on creating an accurate model of the traction contact force, in terms of traction coefficient. The traction coefficient is evaluated  by solving a mixed thermal EHL system, for the case of lubricated non-conformal contacts, considering possible asperity effects and temperature change. A few required characteristics of the reference lubricant are obtained using experiments, along with asperity friction coefficient for the lubricant-solid combination for two different roughnesses. The solver is further validated, both in magnitude and trend, against experimental results for the variation of roughness and slide-to-roll ratio of the surfaces. The solver is further used to obtain curve-fit relations of the traction coefficient components with reasonable accuracy.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Lastly, the curve-fit relations of the traction coefficient are used to evaluate the meshing torque loss, and thus the hydro-mechanical efficiency for the case of two external gear machine units, having different gear flank roughnesses. The simulated hydro-mechanical efficiencies are further validated using the results from experiments, with a maximum deviation of up to 3%, but less than 0.5% deviation at many operating conditions. The experimentally obtained variation of hydro-mechanical efficiency with respect to gear flank roughness is captured in the simulations at majority of the operating conditions, thus laying emphasis on the importance of accurate contact force models.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The approaches followed in this work, along with the findings and proven accuracy with experiments, can be considered valuable and can be used to create simulation models that can capture the effects of interference/clearance and gear flank roughness on the performance of positive displacement gear units.</p>