The ATTOCom project aims at understanding and controlling the attosecond emission from band gap semiconductors. Amplitude and spectral phase characterization would open key issues in controlling quantum systems on attosecond time scales. This plays a fundamental role in the future development of petahertz electronics and novel attosecond sources. The objective of this proposal is to control the attosecond emission from band gap semiconductors in the UV to the EUV (4-20 eV). On top of gaining knowledge for future petahertz electronics, we will create the first all solid state source of isolated attosecond pulses controlled by the crystal nature and the laser light wave properties. For this, we will: 1) Reveal that the harmonic emission in semiconductors switches on attosecond time scale 2) Establish attosecond metrology down to the UV; 3) Elaborate theoretical support to operate attosecond science in semiconductors.

Within the framework of CE 09 - "Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for the products of the future", the HYPNOSE project proposes to follow a new path in the manipulation of the magnetization by combining the development of hybrid systems and the optical control of magnetization. Our approach is based on the development of vertically-assembled nanocomposites made of magnetic nanopillars epitaxially grown within photostrictive thin films. These systems, which couple magnetism and photostriction, will be used to control the magnetization by light. Our approach includes the study of the dynamical aspects of the manipulation of the magnetization down to ultrashort timescales. The consortium brings together teams with state-of-the-art expertise and experimental means that cover all aspects of a project addressing the production of complex, functional and self-assembled nano-objects, in which the nanometric scale plays a key role in controlling the magnetization as well as achieving ultrafast response. First, different combinations of materials will be studied in order to obtain vertically self-assembled nanocomposites exhibiting a strong coupling between the photostrictive properties of the matrix and of the magnetic properties of the nanopillars. Photo-induced strain of the matrix combined with epitaxy of the nanopillars will induce changes in magneto-elastic anisotropy. The systems will be grown by pulsed laser deposition. The growth parameters will be adjusted in order to control the size, density, epitaxy and axial deformation of the nanopillars in the matrix. After this optimization phase, two more complex types of systems will be developed: "exchange spring" type systems and systems adapted to promote photo-induced out of plane / in the plane reorientation of the magnetization. The photostrictive and magnetic properties of these systems will be measured using a range of complementary techniques (diffraction, magnetometry and magneto-optics). Secondly, the dynamical response of the systems to a pulsed laser excitation will be studied in detail. The implementation of a set of state-of-the-art pump-probe techniques will allow us to probe the ultra-fast dynamics of the different degrees of freedom. The dynamics of the magnetization will be studied using a combination of time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect and time-resolved X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (Tr-XRMS). For ultrafatst Tr-XRMS experiments (50 fs resolution), we will use a high-harmonic generation (HHG) and x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources to probe the M and L edges of magnetic elements, respectively. The use of synchrotron radiation, tuned to the M and L edges of the magnetic elements, will make it possible to study the dynamics at intermediate timescales (resolution 10 ps). The ultrafast structural dynamics will be probed by time-resolved X-ray diffraction at the synchrotron and at XFEL facilities delivering hard X-ray pulses. All of these experiments will allow us to describe the dynamical processes at work in photostrictive-magnetic nanocomposites and to optimize their response time. The same techniques will be used to study the response of "exchange springs" and systems designed for out-of-plane / in-plane photo-induced magnetization reorientation. Finally, a technique for transferring nanocomposites onto an x-ray transparent membrane will be developed within the framework of this project. This will make it possible to envisage time-resolved coherent imaging experiments in transmission and will pave the way for the study of the dynamics of single nanopillars.

Medical applications in nanotechnology are a rapidly growing segment with significant impact on diagnosis and therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. Nanoparticle (NP) based drug delivery is of particular interest as these materials may show prolonged circulation half-life, reduced non-specific uptake, and increased accumulation in specific tissues and organs through enhanced permeation and retention (EPR). Among the number of NP-based therapeutic approaches the delivery of an active compound by external trigger “on demand” and the intrinsic chemical and biochemical stimuli gated drug release are of particular interest. Nano-systems allowing “on demand” liberation are relying on stimuli responsive (also termed “smart”) materials triggered by pH, temperature modifications, variation of magnetic fields, or, light irradiation. Some of these methods can be applied in good spatio-temporal control, by which a high level of drug concentration (six- to ten fold) can be eventually attained. Although this strategy promises considerable advantages in term of reduced general toxicity and diminished resistance against the drug, the field is still in infancy: external activation of prodrugs with localized liberation of compounds stays a major challenge. The project describes the chemical part of a larger program that aims the design, synthesis and study of remotely controllable polymersomes for biomedical applications and wish to finalize the development of a novel class of multisite device applicable in term in therapy, deep within the body. Polymersomes have proven their utility to deliver therapeutic agents to specific tissues/organs with potential therapeutic and theranostic applications where the therapeutic delivery can be simultaneously combined with diagnostic capabilities. They are extremely stable and robust - often too stable - for efficient drug delivery. The present application suggests method for image-guided local activation. The use of double selecting criteria, such as biological uptake and site selective activation would result in considerable reduction of adverse effects of many chemotherapy treatments what is always of paramount importance. In the heart of this novel activation methodology lies a recently developed fragmentation reaction that is based on (local) electron-transfer reaction triggered by penetrating X-ray, or, gamma light; the method was patented, and optimizations for biomedical applications are actively pursued. The method allows X-ray-gated delivery of virtually unrestricted variety of compounds having therapeutic interest in otherwise unaccessible (body) spaces, with the ability to follow the distribution and the liberation in real time by different bioimaging modalities, with the potential for multimodality. The project suggests to test a series of new redox fragmenting elements with charge-neutral nanoparticles (NPs) as sensitizers. Iron oxide NPs are considered which are among the few nanomaterials that are nontoxic, bio-compatibles, approved for therapeutic use and can be imaged. We believe, that the proposed system have the potential in theranostic applications combining thus both the ability to deliver a drug on a controlled manner and to monitor its distribution. Although this application is limited to show the proof of principle of the concept, domains of potential biomedical applications can be foreseen, such as treatment of inflammation, drug abuse, where intracellular drug-delivery is needed and also in cancer therapy, minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy, and also where the major part of the required instrumentation is already implemented. Biomedical applications are only part of the potential field of interest, as the method may find application in microfabrication where 3D controlled manipulations in high spatial resolutions are needed in inaccessible spaces.

ILOOP targets the optimization of propagation characteristics of femtosecond laser by the use of high damage threshold femtosecond mirrors and multi-conjugate adaptive optics linked to a phase diversity wavefront sensor. This optimisation targets applications such as generation of multi-filaments under controlled beam conditions and target glare. It fits into the theme 5 of this tender and more particularly in the theme 2.5.2. This optimization is carried out along two axes and more precisely in the theme 2.5.3: Development of mirrors with a high damage threshold, and development of a new generation of adaptive optics (called multi-conjugate) to control in spatial phase and amplitude of the beam. Applications of the developments made in this project relate to both civilian and military sector. Intense laser sources have known many developments since the early 90s, this in order to increase the peak power. Significant progress was also made through average power higher and higher. Developments continue especially for systems such as the Apollon-ILE program in France. The various pillars of European ELI programs in the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary are under construction and are designed for peak power of 10 PW with pulse durations of 15 fs and an energy of 150 joules. These lasers are at the state of the art, but many other less powerful systems are now under construction by the institutions themselves or purchased from companies such as Thales and Amplitude Technologies. A requirement common to all these systems is to reach highest intensity in the experimental plane, with applications both civilian and military side. To meet these requirements, these intense laser sources require optical components of high quality (reflectivity, flatness and damage threshold) and also of large dimension. The spatial beam quality, essential to achieve the desired flux densities, is itself improved by the use of adaptive optics. The analysis of the state of the art on these two elements shows that substantial improvements in laser performance can be considered. The project will focus on: - Developing reflective mirrors that will be of high damage threshold to transport the recompressed pulses while reducing the dimensions of the beam. The partner for this development is SAGEM-REOSC. For obvious strategic reasons it is important to have a French supplier of mirrors compatible with femtosecond pulses. These skills are sorely lacking in France today, forcing the French leaders in the field, Amplitude Technologies and Thales to purchase abroad. As part of this project SAGEM-REOSC intends to develop its know-how to position itself as a French supplier of this strategic market. - Integrating in a femtosecond laser, multi-conjugated adaptive optics coupled to a new wavefront sensor based on the phase diversity to control both spatial amplitude and phase . The partner for the implementation of this loop is the team High Angular Resolution (HRA) of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Optics (DOTA) ONERA, which has a recognized expertise in the design and implementation of adaptive optics. The use of two deformable mirrors placed in two planes allow proper shaping of the beam dynamics in order to optimize its propagation properties (annular or top-hat) and also for focusing.

Laser-Plasma Accelerators (LPAs) have the capability to produce electric fields exceeding 100 GV/m, that is about three orders of magnitude larger than those obtained by conventional radio-frequency accelerators. They could thus allow for a drastic decrease of the size of accelerators for scientific, medical and industrial applications. Their extreme field gradients make also of LPAs promising candidates for future high energy colliders. The objective of the project is to explore novel laser-plasma coupling concepts for increasing the energy of stable and high-quality electron beams well beyond the state-of-the-art. These novel concepts rely on an innovative reflective optic, the axiparabola, which merges the advantages of parabola mirrors and axilenses and allow to produce long and high-intensity focal lines with a tunable laser velocity. At low laser energy, axiparabolas will be used to generate a stable, sustainable and damage-free plasma waveguide. The high-intensity beam which drives the LPA will be coupled into the so-formed waveguide in order to face diffraction and extend the distance over which electrons are accelerated. Axiparabolas will then be used with a single high-power laser to accelerate electrons. Here we will take advantage of axiparabolas to manipulate the velocity of the laser energy-peak. This unique ability to produce superluminal and time varying velocities opens a new area of study. In the simplest case, we expect an increase of the electron energy by a factor of 8, compared to a regular parabola setup. The optimized scheme could lead to the production of 300 GeV beams with a 10 PW laser. In both scenarios, performances will be optimized by shaping the axiparabola surface, adding a spatial phase or introducing spatio-temporal coupling. Proof of principles and exploratory experiments will be run on the Salle Jaune facility at LOA, then implemented on a PW laser facility.