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Soil salinity is an important factor determining agriculture yield and productivity. Sensor technology can be used for monitoring the salinity of soil and this paper consolidates the research trends on the same. The research trends were visualized through VOS viewer and various types of sensors for measuring and monitoring soil salinity had been highlighted. The most active authors of this research domain were Kerr Y.H Camps A and Wigneron J.P; the most active country was the United States of America and the most productive research organization was found to be Centre d'Etudes Spatiales de la Biosphère, France. The recommendations for future research had been highlighted in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of the instrumentation and experiments developed for the beamlines at Synchrotron SOLEIL in France. Currently fourteen beamlines are opened to users out of the twenty six scheduled. About half of the beamlines cover the soft x-rays region using spectroscopy and imagery techniques. The second half covers the hard x-rays field studying diffraction of matter. Some sample environments carried out for beamlines, for biology, chemistry and surface sciences are described. For the soft x-rays beamlines, carbon contamination of optics is a crucial issue. Different experiments are currently under study in order to reduce or even avoid this effect. Other studies relate to the improvement of metrological methods for beamline optics, to the reduction of vibrational effects for the microbeams and development of computer control for diffractometers. The various types of instruments and experiments will be presented both with an overview of the status of the beamlines in operation and under construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern agriculture, vegetables growth in greenhouses is valuable to adapt to customers preferences and climate changes. As most of the greenhouses are still heated by gas, the energy production from renewable sources is a axis of development in this field. The purpose of this study is to present the potentiality of an innovative heating system for greenhouse with photovoltaic-thermal solar PVT panels as a unique cold source for a brine/water heat pump. An analysis was made for the solar radiation in a typical winter day with the PolySun software for a 6,000 m² greenhouse in Angers, France. In this paper, the results show to interesting potential of this renewable coupling to cover a large part of the needs for this typical winter day, but also the difficulty to reach a autonomy as it is, which calls for optimizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A design is presented of a laboratory experiment that could test the suitability of relativistic gravity for propulsion of spacecraft to relativistic speeds. An exact time-dependent solution of Einstein’s gravitational field equation confirms that even the weak field of a mass moving at relativistic speeds could serve as a driver to accelerate a much lighter payload from rest to a good fraction of the speed of light. The time-dependent field of ultrarelativistic particles in a collider ring is calculated. An experiment is proposed as the first test of the predictions of general relativity in the ultrarelativistic limit by measuring the repulsive gravitational field of bunches of protons in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The estimated ‘antigravity beam’ signal strength at a resonant detector of each proton bunch is 3 nm/s2 for 2 ns during each revolution of the LHC. This experiment can be performed off-line, without interfering with the normal operations of the LHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first LHC measurement on ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions was carried out with the ALICE experiment. In this paper, ALICE results on exclusive J/ψ studies in Pb-Pb collisions at [formula], in the rapidity region -3.6 < y < -2.6, are given. The coherent J/ψ cross section was found to be dσcohJ/ψ/dy = 1.00 ± 0.18 (stat)+0.24-0.26 (syst) mb. These studies favour theoretical models that include strong modifications to the nuclear gluon density, also known as nuclear gluon shadowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Electromagnetic Calorimeter of the CMS experiment at the LHC includes about 76000 lead tungstate (PbWO4) scintillating crystals. The detector properties must be continuously monitored in order to ensure the extreme stability and precision required. This leads to a very large volume of non-event data to be accessed continuously by shifters, experts, automatic monitoring tasks, detector configuration for trigger and data acquisition systems and offline data reconstruction programs. This paper describes the measurements taken by the Detector Control System, the calibrations, the data handling strategy and the workflow as well as the architecture of the configuration and conditions databases and the web interface to access the data. An overview is given on the experience with detector commissioning, which have allowed a system test in realistic run conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speckle interferometry measurements of binary stars have been regularly obtained with PISCO at the 1-meter Zeiss telescope of the I.N.A.F. - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (Merate, Italy) since the end of 2003. We present here some recent results and some projects for extending and improving the scientific reach of our program. In particular, we plan to acquire more efficient detectors and install PISCO on a computer-controlled telescope in a better site belonging to Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur (OCA, Caussols, France). In the future, we would like to be able to operate remotely PISCO, its detector and the telescope. Finally we present PISCO2, the new speckle camera of our group that has been built for the OCA 76-cm refractor.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is my contribution to the commemoration of my great friend Giuseppe ('Beppe') Nardulli who left us in June 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the perspectives of the development of the XUV laser sources using High-power laser facilities. We focus our paper on the present statuts of the LASERIX facility and especially its role in the development of the XUV laser sources considering the French “Institut de la Lumière Extrême “(ILE) and the potential European project Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI). Finally, we present one typical experiment performed in that context with the facility. It is dedicated to the fundamental study irradiation induced damage in DNA samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the control optimization of a 4.5 K refrigerator used in the cryogenic system of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. First, the compressor station with the cold-box have been modeled and simulated under PROCOS (Process and Control Simulator), a simulation environment developed at CERN. Next, an appropriate parameter identification has been performed on the simulator to obtain a simplified model of the system in order to design an Internal Model Control (IMC) enhancing the regulation of the high pressure. Finally, a floating high pressure control is proposed using a cascade control to reduce operational costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents some applications of ultrasonic (UT) simulation codes developed at IZFP, Germany and at CEA LIST, France, those latter being integrated into the CIVA software platform. These UT simulation codes are dedicated to the prediction of echo-responses from flaws. Results given and discussed are those obtained for the various problems of the 2007 UT Benchmark modeling session. They concern the responses from flat-bottomed holes inside curved blocks (concave or convex) inspected with immersed probes. The simulation codes are used to investigate the influence of the curvature upon the amplitude response of the flaw with respect to a flat specimen, used as a reference. Comparison with experimental results is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Forschungszentrum Ju¨lich GmbH (FZJ), together with the Aachen University Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA Cadarache) are involved in a cooperation aiming at characterizing toxic and reactive elements in radioactive waste packages by means of Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) [1]. The French and German waste management agencies have indeed defined acceptability limits concerning these elements in view of their projected geological repositories. A first measurement campaign was performed in the new Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facility called MEDINA, at FZJ, to assess the capture gamma-ray signatures of some elements of interest in large samples up to waste drums with a volume of 200 liter. MEDINA is the acronym for Multi Element Detection based on Instrumental Neutron Activation. This paper presents MCNP calculations of the MEDINA facility and quantitative comparison between measurement and simulation. Passive gamma-ray spectra acquired with a high purity germanium detector and calibration sources are used to qualify the numerical model of the crystal. Active PGNAA spectra of a sodium chloride sample measured with MEDINA then allow for qualifying the global numerical model of the measurement cell. Chlorine indeed constitutes a usual reference with reliable capture gamma-ray production data. The goal is to characterize the entire simulation protocol (geometrical model, nuclear data, and postprocessing tools) which will be used for current measurement interpretation, extrapolation of the performances to other types of waste packages or other applications, as well as for the study of future PGNAA facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linac4 is a 160 MeV linear accelerator which will inject negative hydrogen ions (H-) into CERN's Proton Synchrotron Booster, a required upgrade to improve the beam brightness in the LHC injector chain. A volume production RF ion source, based on the design of the DESY RF source was implemented, but showed considerable electron dump ablation during operation at 45 keV beam energy. To reduce the electron beam power density in the dump, a magnetized Einzel lens is designed that reduces the beam energy to 10 keV before permanentmagnets dump the electrons on a tungsten surface. Presented in this paper are simulations of the design using IBSimu, the tunable range of parameters depending on the extracted H- and electron current, as well as details of the implementation, the choice of pulsed power converters and the electrode alignment system. In addition, simulations of proton extraction from this source will be shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To carry out performance demonstrations of the Eddy-Current NDE processes applied on French nuclear power plants, EDF studies the possibility of using simulation tools as an alternative to measurements on steam generator tube mocks-up. This paper focuses on the strategy led by EDF to assess and use code_Carmel3D and Civa, on the case of Eddy-Current NDE on wears problem which may appear in the U-shape region of steam generator tubes due to the rubbing of anti-vibration bars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Large Hadron Collider forward (LHCf) experiment has performed measurements of the neutral particles emitted to the very forward region of proton-proton collisions at LHC. This experiment is designed to explore very forward interaction at very high energy, which is relevant to interpretation of the data from cosmic-ray experiments. LHCf detector is well optimized to measure photons in the multi-TeV energy range, and to reconstruct neutral pions with two photons. It can also measure neutrons. The data acquisitions at 0.9 TeV and 7 TeV were completed in 2010. In this paper, single photon energy spectra obtained at 0.9 TeV and transverse energy spectra of neutral pions obtained at 7 TeV will be presented. The results are compared with expectations by hadronic interaction models used for air-shower simulations. We found none of these models agree with the obtained data in the photon energy spectra, while EPOS shows a good agreement in the transverse energy spectra of neural pions. Impacts on cosmic-ray and QCD physics are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present document starts with a brief introduction of ETSI, followed by an overview of locations where QKD has already been deployed commercially. The various scenarios of QKD deployment lead to a strong need for standardization. Before going into detail about the work of the ETSI standardization group for QKD the paper gives some general information of the importance of standards for the industry and describes the working methods of the ETSI ISG on QKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Accelerator Project for Upgrade of LHC (APUL) is a U.S. project participating in and contributing to CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) upgrade program. FermiNational Accelerator Laboratory in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratorywas developing sub-systems for the upgrade of the LHC final focus magnet systems. Partof the upgrade called for various lengths of superconducting power transmission linesknown as Superconducting (SC) Links which were up to 100 m long. The SC Linkelectrically connects the current leads in the Distribution Feed Boxes to the interactionregion magnets. The SC Link is an extension of the magnet bus housed within a cryostat.The present concept for the bus consists of 22 power cables, 4 × 13 kA, 2 × 7 kA, 8 × 2.5kA and 8 × 0.6 kA bundled into one bus. Different cable and strand possibilities were considered for the bus design including Rutherford cable. The Rutherford cable bus designpotentially would have required splices at each sharp elbow in the SC Link. The advantage of the round bus design is that splices are only required at each end of the bus duringinstallation at CERN. The round bus is very flexible and is suitable for pulling through thecryostat. Development of the round bus prototype and of 2 splice designs is described in this paper. Magnetic analysis and mechanical test results of the 13 kA cable and splices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermilab is collaborating with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) within the US-LHC Accelerator Research Project (US-LARP collaboration) to develop a large-aperture Nb3SN superconducting quadrupole for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) luminosity upgrade. Several two-layer quadrupole models of the 1-meter and 3.4-meter length with 90 mm apertures have been fabricated and tested by the US-LARP collaboration. High-Jc Nb3SN RRP-54/61 strand was used for nearly all models. Large flux jumps typical for this strand, due to the large sub-element diameter, limited magnet quench performance at temperatures below 2.5-3K. This paper summarizes the fabrication and test by Fermilab of LQM01, a long quadrupole coil test structure (quadrupole mirror) with the first 3.4 m quadrupole coil made of more stable RRP-114/127 strand. The coil and structure are fully instrumented with voltage taps, full bridge strain gauges and strip heaters to monitor preload, thermal properties and quench behavior. Measurements during fabrication are reported, including preload during the yoke welding process. Testing is done at 4.5 K, 1.9 K and a range of intermediate temperatures. The test results include magnet strain and quench performance during training, as well as quench studies of current ramp rate and temperature dependence from 1.9 K to 4.5 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taus, being the heaviest of the leptons, constitute an important tool for searches for new physics at the LHC. Higgs boson couples to mass leading to a significant branching ratio of about 10% for low mass Higgs decaying to tau pairs. Taus become even more important in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard model where the neutral Higgs production is enhanced and the presence of two Higgs doublets results in prediction of additional charged Higgs bosons that may preferentially decay to final states with tau leptons. This paper describes a search for Higgs bosons decaying to di-tau pairs and a search for charged Higgs bosons decaying to taus and neutrinos using about 1 fb-1 of data collected with the CMS detector in 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) is one of the four experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and it is dedicated to the study of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions, with the goal of investigating the properties of the high-density state of QCD matter produced in such events. The first Pb-Pb collisions at a centre of mass energy of [formula] TeV per nucleon pair were delivered by LHC in November 2010. In Pb-Pb collisions heavy quarks are regarded as sensitive probes of the interaction dynamics between the parton and the medium produced in such collisions as they are produced on a very short time scale in the initial hard scattering processes and they follow all the evolution of the medium. At the energies available at the LHC charm is produced with large cross section and therefore it is possible to measure its production with good statistical precision. The study of open charm hadrons such as D+, D0, D*+, Ds and Λc in heavy ion collision is of particular interest because it can provide significant insight on the properties of the medium. Proton-proton collision data, that are being recorded at an energy of [formula] TeV since March 2010 provide an essential reference for these studies and allow to test perturbative QCD calculations in an unexplored energy domain. In this paper the analysis of D-meson production, carried out through a study of the hadronic decay channels in Pb-Pb collisions, will be presented in detail. The results for the reconstruction of D0, D+, D*+, and Ds hadrons at central rapidity will be shown along with the first results for the measurement of the D0 and D+ nuclear modification factor and prospects for azimuthal anisotropy studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is the dedicated heavy-ion experiment at the LHC. In fall 2010, Pb-Pb collisions were recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair, about 14 times higher than the energy achieved in A-A collisions at RHIC. The study of the produced hot and dense matter with an unprecedented energy density allows the characterization of the quark-gluon plasma, the deconfined state of quarks and gluons, predicted by QCD. The study of in-medium partonic energy loss allows insights into the density of the medium and the energy-loss mechanisms. This paper presents results based on inclusive spectra as well as two and more-particle correlations of charged particles. These are well suited to assess in-medium effects, ranging from the suppression of particles (RAA) and away-side jets (IAA) at high pT to longrange phenomena attributed to collective effects like the ridge at low pT. The analysis is discussed and the results are presented in the context of earlier RHIC measurements where appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis techniques in LHCf are presented, in which all techniques are required to have a high resolution and efficiency in order to overcome the severe situation, small lateral aperture and longitudinally short length of the detector. In this paper, methods for reconstructing an energy of electromagnetic shower are discussed following the data flow of measured data and Monte Carlo simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a brief description of the purpose of the LHCf experiment, detectors and their performance, and what has been done in the first year experiment. A short summary of results at [formula] is given although the energy is not an 'intrinsic' LHC energy. Since detailed results at [formula] will appear soon elsewhere, here we limit ourselves to giving also a brief account of what will come in that paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientists and engineers at Argonne and Brookhaven are collaborating to develop a new nanopositioning system for the NSLS-II Hard X-ray Nanoprobe. In this paper we present the design and development of an advanced sample-scanning stage system prototype for an MLL-based hard x-ray nanoprobe. The design and prototyping activities for the Brookhaven NSLS-II nanopositioning system will also benefit the ongoing development of the Argonne CNM/APS MLL-based hard x-ray nanoprobe with hard x-ray focusing in the nanometer scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GANIL presently offers unique opportunities in nuclear physics and many other fields that arise from not only the provision of low-energy stable beams, fragmentation beams and re-accelerated radioactive species, but also from the availability of a wide range of state-of-the-art spectrometers and instrumentation. A few examples of recent highlights are discussed in the present paper. With the construction of SPIRAL2 over the next few years, GANIL is in a good position to retain its world-leading capability. As selected by the ESFRI committee, the next generation of ISOL facility in Europe is represented by the SPIRAL2 project to be built at GANIL (Caen, France). SPIRAL 2 is based on a high power, CW, superconducting LINAC, delivering 5 mA of deuteron beams at 40 MeV (200 KW) directed on a C converter+ Uranium target and producing therefore more than 1013 fissions/s. The expected radioactive beam intensities in the mass range from A = 60 to A = 140, will surpass by two orders of magnitude any existing facilities in the world. These unstable atoms will be available at energies between few KeV/n to 15 MeV/n. The same driver will accelerate high intensity (100 μA to 1 mA), heavier ions (Ar up to Xe) at maximum energy of 14 MeV/n. Under the 7FP program of European Union called *Preparatory phase*, the SPIRAL2 project has been granted a budget of about 4M€ to build up an international consortium around this new venture. The status of the construction of SPIRAL2 accelerator and associated physics instruments in collaboration with EU and International partners will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ALICE experiment at the CERN's Large Hadron Collider allows the study of charmonium production in both e+e- and μ+μ- decay channels. In this paper, the first results obtained from reconstructing J/ψ mesons in proton-proton interactions at s = 7 TeV are discussed. The present plans for quarkonia analyses are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superconducting magnets of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) distributed over eight sectors of 3.3-km long are cooled at 1.9 K in pressurized superfluid helium. During the commissioning campaign of the sectors in 2008, cold standby periods at nominal operating temperature have allowed to measure the overall static heat inleaks reaching the magnet cold masses at 1.9 K by enthalpy balance in steady-state operation. In addition, during electrical powering of the different magnet circuits, helium II calorimetry based on precision thermometry has been implemented to assess with an accuracy of 100 mW/m the additional heat loads due to resistive heating and to detect possible abnormal heat dissipation during powering. This paper describes the method applied to perform these measurements, compares the results with the expected specified values and discusses the impact of the measured values on cryo-plant tuning and operational margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insertion regions located around the four interaction points of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are mainly composed of the low-β triplets, the separation dipoles and their respective electrical feed-boxes (DFBX). The low-β triplets are Nb-Ti superconductor quadrupole magnets, which operate at 215 T/m in superfluid helium at a temperature of 1.9 K. The commissioning and the first operation of these components have been performed. The thermo-mechanical behavior of the low-βtriplets and DFBX were studied. Cooling and control systems were tuned to optimize the cryogenic operation of the insertion regions. Hardware commissioning also permitted to test the system response. This paper summarizes the performance results and the lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) is a collaboration between four US laboratories (BNL, FNAL, LBNL, and SLAC) aimed at contributing to the commissioning and operation of the LHC and conducting R&D on its luminosity upgrade. Within LARP, the Magnet Program’s main goal is to demonstrate that Nb3Sn superconducting magnets are a viable option for a future upgrade of the LHC Interaction Regions. Over the past four years, LARP has successfully fabricated and tested several R&D magnets: 1) the subscale quadrupole magnet SQ, to perform technology studies with 300 mm long racetrack coils, 2) the technology quadrupole TQ, to investigate support structure behavior with 1 m long cos 2θ coils, and 3) the long racetrack magnet LR, to test 3.6 m long racetrack coils. The next milestone consists in the fabrication and test of the 3.7 m long quadrupole magnet LQ, with the goal of demonstrating that Nb3Sn technology is mature for use in high energy accelerators. After an overview of design features and test result of the LARP magnets fabricated so far, this paper focuses on the status of the fabrication of LQ: we describe the production of the 3.4 m long cos 2θ coils, and the of the qualification support structure. Finally, the status of the development of the next 1 m long model HQ, conceived to explore stress and field limits of Nb3Sn superconducting, magnets, is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermilab is developing Nb3Sn quadrupole magnets for the planned upgrade of interaction regions of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Two distinctly different approaches have been employed, one using quadrupole-symmetric and one using dipole-symmetric collar laminations. This paper describes the design features of both collar types, collaring techniques for brittle Nb3Sn coils, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches. Results of mechanical analysis for quadrupoles based on dipole-type and quadrupole-type collars are presented. Magnet construction issues and test results are reported. Test results include coil and component strain measurements during construction. Plans for the completion and test of the first dipole-symmetric assembly are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has developed for years the software CIVA dedicated to the simulation of NDT techniques such as Eddy Current Testing (ECT). ECT modeling is achieved in CIVA using semi-analytical models based on the Volume Integral Method (VIM). This paper presents results obtained with CIVA for the QNDE 2007 ECT benchmark, dedicated to the inspection of tube affected by 2D and 3D flaws. Further configurations are also proposed for future benchmark sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC) and nuclear excitation by electronic transition (NEET), and related de-excitation, are two important electromagnetic processes to modify the nuclear state populations. In this paper, we present, on one hand, an experiment accepted at GANIL (France) in September 2004 to measure the NEEC effect with a fully stripped 57Fe ion beam and, on the other hand, a complete calculation leading to the NEET rate of the first excited state of the 235U in a local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) plasma. © 2005 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CAT collaboration operates a ground-based Imaging atmospheric ...erenkov telescope, based in the French Pyrenees. This paper describes observations of the Crab Nebula with this instrument over four seasons and measurement of the flux and spectral energy distribution of this source. Observations are described for both standard and Large Zenith Anglo modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with the phenomenon of disaffection for scientific studies, numerous reports published at the international level generally propose to renew teaching methods. But how to teach physics in compulsory school? Would the teaching methods based on the physics problem (investigation, problem situation, problem-solving, etc.), which are very present in current curricula, be the solution? This article proposes to study the case of inquiry-based science teaching. A review of the literature shows that there is no consensus in curricula or in science didactics research on a precise definition of what this type of teaching would be. Moreover, there is considerable scientific controversy about the effectiveness of this type of teaching. Based on a French-speaking theoretical approach developed by Chevallard, we present our own vision for the case of physics teaching in secondary schools. Then, we discuss the distribution of possible roles between the teacher and his students in this type of classroom activity to allow learning. Indeed, learning physics implies a negotiation between the rationality of physics and that of common sense. As a result, teaching physics implies not only the mastery of disciplinary knowledge but also of the modes of transmission at stake and knowledge of epistemology in order to understand the questions (and answers) to which physics is attached. Based on research conducted in France, we finally discuss the types of [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the charged particle and transverse energy production mechanism from AGS to LHC energies in the framework of nucleon and quark participants as well. A universal function which is a combination of logarithmic and power-law, describes the charged particle and transverse energy production both at nucleon and quark participant level quite well for the whole range of collision energies. We give the predictions for dNch/dη, dET/dη and the barometric observable, ET/Nch for Pb+Pb collisions at [formula]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2010 the ALICE experiment at CERN has collected the first Pb-Pb collisions at [formula] TeV produced by the LHC. A first characterization of the hot and dense state of matter produced in this new energy domain became available shortly after the run. In this paper we present the results on charged-particle multiplicity, Bose-Einstein correlations, elliptic flow and their dependence on the collision centrality. Results from first measurements of strange and identified particle production and suppression of high-momentum hadrons with respect to pp collisions are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double Chooz experiment will search for a disappearance of the reactor neutrinos from Chooz reactor cores in Ardenne, France, in order to detect the yet unknown neutrino oscillation angle θ13. The far detector was completed in 2010 and data-taking has started in spring 2011. Status of data-taking is presented and some performance plots from physics data are shown in this paper for the first time. Also the prospect of experimental sensitivity is presented, in light of recent indication from T2K for a non-zero θ13 value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Simbol-X telescope will be constitued by two satellites in formation flight. One will host the mirror module and the other the detector payload. This payload will be built with two main detectors able to measure the position, energy and arrival time of each focused photon, between 0.5 and 80 keV. The high sensitivity required by Simbol-X will necessitate low noise background detectors. To achieve this goal, those detectors will be surrounded by a passive graded shield, aimed to stop the out of field of view photons, and an active anticoïncidence system to tag the passing particles. This anticoïncidence detector, whose conception, optimisation and realization are under responsibility of the APC Laboratory, Paris, is based on plastic scintillator plates associated to multi-anodes photo-multipliers via optical fibers. In this paper, we will present the present status of the anticoïncidence system and its expected performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction industry is one of the main sectors contributing for the growth of countries economy and also it is one of sector releasing huge amount of carbon emission in the atmosphere. Several measures are taken in this sector by adopting new trends in the construction industry with respect to the use of evolving material such as low carbon cement, fast setting concrete, Self-healing concrete and more, has left us with a high need for research in the area of sustainable materials. As most of the building material used in construction like concrete and cement are high carbon dioxide emitting material that can be a hazard (in a longer run) to the environment and people working in such buildings. To overcome this situation an alternative sustainable material has to be used for the construction of eco-friendly buildings. Hempcrete is a bio composite material and also it is one of the prospective materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It can be used in Construction and Insulation activities by Hemp hurds and lime. Hemp plant grows faster by nature and falls in the category of plants with strongest plant fibre and due to its fastest and rapid growing nature it can lock up more carbon in it. This has been used in France since the 1990s for construction of non-weight bearing insulating infill walls. A meter cube of hempcrete has the capability to absorb 165 kg of carbon dioxide and has excellent fire resistance. Resistance to crack under movement being the core property of hempcrete makes it most appropriate for use in earthquake-prone areas. In this research, an initiative was taken up to check the feasibility of hempcrete as an alternative to conventional concrete. Few feasibility studies were carried to highlight application and access the properties of the same. The main aim to suggest the application of hempcrete with admixture like fine aggregate and testing of its strength under Universal Testing Machine (AIMIL) make. Though, Hempcrete does not have adequate strength as par with the conventional concrete but can be used for the construction of substructure. It can be concluded that it can be highly beneficial for non-load bearing structures for its property like lightweight breathability, energy efficiency etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was the first symposium on computing in experimental high energy physics to be held during the ICCMSE conference. The symposium attracted 21 papers on a number of topics relevant for present day high energy physics experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss two topical problems of diffraction dissociation at the LHC, namely the role of the background and the elastic contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results on factorization breaking in soft and hard hadron-hadron collisions, photo-production and deep inelastic scattering exhibit a universal behavior in a renormalization model where diffraction is mediated by a saturated colorless exchange with vacuum quantum numbers. Using this model, diffractive and total cross sections are predicted for LHC energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present first results from the ATLAS Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDC) based on 7 TeV pp collision data recorded in 2010. The ZDC coverage of ±∼350 μrad about the forward direction makes possible the measurement of neutral particles (primarily π0's and neutrons) over the kinematic region xF>=0.1 and out to pT<=1.2 GeV/c at large xF. The ATLAS ZDC is unique in that it provides a complete image of both electromagnetic and hadronic showers. This is illustrated with the reconstruction of π0's with energies of 0.7-3.5 TeV. We also discuss the waveform reconstruction algorithm which has allowed good time-of-flight resolution on leading neutrons emerging from the collisions despite the sparse (40 MHz) sampling of the calorimeter signals used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is presently undergoing beam commissioning in preparation for physics running in 2010 at a center of mass energy of 7 TeV. I will briefly describe the hadron physics capabilities of the ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb detectors, their performance with cosmic ray and early collision data, as well as their plans for physics with the first data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extra dimensions provide a very useful tool in addressing a number of the fundamental problems faced by the Standard Model. The following provides a very basic introduction to this very broad subject area as given at the VIII School of the Gravitational and Mathematical Physics Division of the Mexican Physical Society in December 2009. Some prospects for extra dimensional searches at the 7 TeV LHC with ∼1 fb-1 of integrated luminosity are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Laser Megajoule (LMJ) Cryotarget Positioner (PCC) will be used to set cryogenic targets in the vacuum chamber centre of this experimental facility for fusion by inertial confinement. In the French concept, only the targets will be transferred at cryogenic temperature to the PCC using a Cryotarget Transfer Unit (UTCC). Some of the specifications are very ambitious. Indeed, the targets must be transferred automatically between those cryorobots between 20 K and 29 K. Then, they have to be cooled carefully to the triple point of deuterium-tritium mixture, and eventually have to be regulated at this temperature with an accuracy of +/- 2 mK. Scale one prototypes have been built at the Low Temperature Laboratory (SBT) in CEA-Grenoble, France, to deal with cryogenic contact resistances, cryogenic temperature regulation, 6 degrees of freedom robot positioner, vision control of the transfer and automatism. This paper presents the results obtained with these prototypes regarding topics specific to cryogenic transfers. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of high-pT b-jets at the Large Hadron Collider LHC is an important process probing perturbative QCD at next-to-leading order. High-pT b-jets also form a significant background to many Standard Model and Beyond the Standard Model physics channels at the LHC. Measurements of the inclusive differential and dijet cross section of b-jets in proton-proton collisions at [Square_Root]s = 7 TeV, using data collected with the ATLAS experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 pb-1 is presented. These results are compared to NLO QCD predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the holding of the 9th International Symposium on the Production and Neutralization of Negative Ions and Beams in Saclay, France, from May 30-31, 2002. Topics of plenary oral sessions; Organizer of the conference.

Several French research entities, committees, and professional associations have jointly agreed to ask conference organizers to sign a “gender fairness” charter (charte de parité) when they apply for help from any of the participating organizations. These organizations are the Women and Physics Committee of SFP (the French Physical Society), CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research, a large research entity in France), F&S (Women and Science Association), and SFO (the French Optical Society). This condition would apply to requests for funding, official endorsement, or help with publicity. We recommend that the women physicists’ committees in all national physics societies institute similar initiatives so that all physics conferences will soon become “gender fair.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For 3 years, CEA Gramat has been developing a new thermochemical code, called SIAME, funded by DGA to help French defense industry at conceiving new explosives compositions. It enables the calculation of CJ detonation and deflagration points and combustion of explosives. The accuracy of the code has been checked on several high explosives (HE) containing PETN, RDX, HMX, TNT, NTO. The discrepancy on the velocity of detonation is better than 5 %. To enlarge the domain of validity of the code, organic peroxides have been considered. It is known that thermochemical simulation is in failure regarding compounds as simple as hydrogen peroxide. The computed velocity of detonation is 5770 m/s when shock planar impact gives 6150 m/s. The same discrepancy is found for TATP, with a calculated value at 6230 m/s when 5290 has been measured. The detonation velocity of TATP has been measured at two different densities. These velocities agree with other published values. A closer look at the enthalpy of formation of TATP has revealed that it comes from an article of 1932. Ab initio computations have given a totally different value, leading to better agreement with experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]