The population size of the Critically Endangered white-shouldered ibis Pseudibis davisoni has always been poorly known. The first-ever census across Cambodia in 2009–2010 using simultaneous counts at multiple roost sites found substantially more birds than previously estimated, with a minimum of 523 individuals. The census allowed us to make a revised global population estimate of 731–856 individuals, increasing hope for the species' long-term survival. However, the largest subpopulations are imminently threatened by development and c. 75% of the birds counted in Cambodia were outside protected areas.

In this paper, we present and compare the two different XUV interferometric techniques using high-order harmonics that have been developed so far. The first scheme is based on the interference between two spatially separated phase-locked harmonic sources while the second uses two temporally separated harmonic sources. These techniques have been applied to plasma diagnostics in feasibility experiments where electron densities up to a few 1020 e−/cm3 have been measured with a temporal resolution of 200 fs. We present the main characteristics of each technique and discuss their respective potentials and limitations.

We present two interferometry schemes in the extreme ultraviolet, based on either the wave-front division of a unique harmonic beam (1st scheme) or two spatially separated, phase-locked harmonic sources (2nd scheme). In the first scheme using a Fresnel bimirror interferometer, we measure the degree of spatial coherence of the 13th harmonic generated in xenon, as a function of different parameters. A high degree of coherence, larger than 0.5, is found for the best conditions in almost the full section of the beam. Then, we demonstrate that the second scheme can be used for interferometry measurements with an ultrahigh time resolution. The 11th harmonic is used to study the spatial variation of the electron density of a laser-produced plasma. Electronic densities higher than 2.1020 cm−3 are measured.

Thin films of TiC, VC and NbC have been deposited on MgO(001) by co-evaporation of C 60 and the metal. The metal induced a decomposition of the C60 cage and a subsequent carbide formation at 100 °C. Epitaxial TiC films were easily obtained at 250 °C, while higher deposition temperatures were required for epitaxial growth of VC(400 °C) and NbC(500 °C). The films grew with the relation MeC(001)//MgO(00 1) and MeC[ 100]//MgO[ 100]. It was also possible to deposit TiC/NbC/MgO polycrystalline multilayers and TiC/VC/MgO superlattices structures by a sequential evaporation of the metals.

Epitaxial titanium carbide is investigated as a low resistivity, high temperature stable Ohmic and Schottky contact to 4H and 6H SiC. The titanium carbide films were deposited at 500°C using co-evaporation of titanium (e-beam) and C60 (Knudsen cell) in a UHV system. Schottky diodes and TLM structures were fabricated on low and high doped SiC material respectively. The samples were annealed at 700 °C in a vacuum furnace, and electrical measurements were performed up to 300 °C.

A series of rapidly solidified Ni-Mo-Cr-B alloys have been investigated for possible application as corrosion resistant hardfacing coatings. As-cast amorphous ribbons were pulverized to powder, which was subsequently applied to a substrate by plasma spraying. The coatings are substantially amorphous, as revealed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. They exhibit ∼95% of theoretical density and exhibit good corrosion and wear resistances, superior to those of many commercially available hardfacing coatings.