Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation
A Tribute to Professor Denise Bertrand
A Tribute to Professor Denise Bertrand
Denise Bertrand : Agrégé Professor – PhD in Physics

Teaching and Academic Activities in Morocco :

Supervision of MP (Mathematics and Physics – advanced track) preparatory classes (1986–1988) at Moulay Youssef High School, Rabat*

Supervision at the Rabat Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation (1988–1990).

Supervision and academic mentoring at the Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation (1990–2005)

A Tribute to Professor Denise Bertrand

The Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation pays a heartfelt tribute to Professor Denise Bertrand, whose remarkable human and professional qualities have profoundly shaped and inspired our institution.

A visionary pedagogue

From 1990 to 2005, Denise Bertrand was one of the leading figures of the Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation. Her sharp pedagogical insight and vast scientific culture profoundly influenced several generations of aspiring agrégatifs. She taught with both rigor and passion :

Guidance of diverse laboratory practicals, placing special emphasis on connecting each experiment to the theoretical principles behind it.

The correction and evaluation of lessons and experimental setups, consistently carried out with a constructive and accurate approach.

The preparation and evaluation of C-examinations (advanced physics problem-solving tests), an area in which he truly excelled through his exceptional capacity to foresee and address candidates’ challenges.

A pioneer of digital electronics within the Center

A true visionary, Denise Bertrand was the first to establish the teaching of digital electronics within the Physics Agrégation preparation. He did far more than introduce the subject : he structured its entire framework, developing a curriculum perfectly suited to the needs of future educators and offering laboratory sessions renowned for their clarity and effectiveness.

A representative of the Center and a defender of excellence

Outside the classroom, Denise Bertrand served as a spokesperson for the Center in many ministerial meetings, where he firmly defended the excellence of the training, the material requirements, and the recognition of the instructors’ contributions.

A brilliant designer and craftsman :

More than a teacher, Denise Bertrand was a genuine engineer and craftsman :

He envisioned, designed, and hand-crafted many educational electronic models. These devices, built with his own hands, are still in use today during laboratory sessions, standing as enduring proof of their quality and pedagogical value.

He constructed a number of voltage generators in the laboratory, suitable for both low-power and high-power use, thereby offering students reliable equipment perfectly suited to their needs.

He “hand-crafted,” in the noblest meaning of the word, a wide range of power-electronics systems, many of them one-of-a-kind, which significantly enhanced the Center’s experimental resources.

Remarkably, all of this equipment was funded from his own personal resources, reflecting an exceptional level of generosity and unwavering dedication.

An invaluable source of human and moral support :

Denise Bertrand was never content merely to transmit knowledge ; he consistently showed deep concern for the well-being of the agrégatifs.

Fully aware of the financial hardships that students could encounter, he generously provided personal financial assistance to those without scholarships, never seeking recognition or repayment.

Throughout the preparation phase for the written examinations, he provided unwavering psychological support, consistently finding the right words to calm anxiety and rebuild confidence.

On the days of the examinations, he personally accompanied the candidates, attentively safeguarding their physical comfort and emotional well-being.

A legacy that lives on :

The legacy of Denise Bertrand is concrete and enduring : every model, every generator, and every instrument he crafted continues to play a vital role in training new generations of agrégatifs. Yet his influence reaches far beyond material achievements. His dedication to service, his discreet generosity, and his steadfast commitment remain an inspiring example for all who had the honor of knowing him.

Conclusion :

Denise Bertrand embodied a vision of teaching where scientific excellence is inseparable from creativity, generosity, and benevolence. His contribution to the Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation will remain a lasting reference and a model of wholehearted commitment to science, education, and the human spirit.

November 21, 2025 Ceremony — Quotations on Science Education and the Advancement of Humanity
November 21, 2025 Ceremony — Quotations on Science Education and the Advancement of Humanity

November 21, 2025 Ceremony — Quotations on Science Education and the Advancement of Humanity

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Some of the educational models created by Denise Bertrand at the Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation
Some of the educational models created by Denise Bertrand at the Casablanca Center for Physics Agrégation Preparation
Numerical frequency (digital systems)
Multiplier circuit
Frequency demodulator
Dual-slope converter
Class-B power amplifier
Sample-and-hold circuit
Wien oscillator
Demultiplexer
Ohmmeter
Colpitts oscillator
Fluxmeter
Spectrum analyzer
Chopper
Regulated high-power power supply
Regulated ±15V power supply (with 0V reference)
NPN power transistor TIP31
PNP power transistor TIP32
Rectifier
Hybrid bridge
Three-phase rectifier
Tool for measuring the power consumed by a device
Variable-frequency drive for a synchronous motor
Power transistor
IGBT power transistor (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)
DC motor (Direct Current motor)
Synchronous motor
Single-phase asynchronous motor
Demonstration motor
220V/24V transformer
Power inductor and capacitor
30V–25A power transformer
20-volt, 25-amp power transformer
Power buffer amplifier
Analog-to-digital converter
Regulator
Trigger circuit
Tracking analog-to-digital converter
AC sinusoidal voltmeter
Transistors for the push-pull power amplifier
Patent approved by the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)
Patent approved by the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)
Patent applicant :
International University of Rabat (UIR)
Title of the invention :
Resonant-symmetry–based frequency locking system with harmonic validation
Mandataire
BEN YAHYA Wacim // Parc Technopolis Rabat-Shore, Campus universitaire UIR,
Listed inventors :
DENISE Bertrand
EL HAMDAOUI Chaima
EL HOUARI Nada
Commercial name :
TwinLock™
Technical domain :
Frequency stabilization systems, phase-locking loops (PLL), and precision metrology
State of the art :
Existing frequency locking systems, particularly the Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) technique, rely on error signals based on amplitude or phase detection to lock a laser to a resonant cavity. These methods present several limitations : Sensitivity to false locking on harmonics or parasitic operating points ; Requirement of a preliminary scanning procedure for initial acquisition ; Lack of intrinsic validation of the locking state ; Implementation complexity due to the need for phase modulators and sophisticated detection systems. Conventional Phase-Locked Loops (PLL) suffer from similar issues, especially in high-precision applications where stability and reliability are critical.
Technical problems to be solved :
There is a need for a frequency locking system that : Intrinsically eliminates the risks of false locking ; Provides automatic and continuous validation of the locking state ; Enables automatic acquisition without external scanning ; Offers higher precision and robustness than existing systems ; Simplifies implementation and reduces system complexity.
Solutions provided by the invention
The invention proposes a frequency locking system that exploits the perfect symmetry of the response of a resonant circuit at its exact resonance frequency. When a frequency-modulated signal around the resonance is applied to a resonant circuit : At the exact resonance frequency : the symmetric response generates only a signal at twice the modulation frequency (2ωₘ) ; Off-resonance : the asymmetry generates components at the modulation frequency (ωₘ). This fundamental property enables the creation of a dual-feedback locking mechanism using two complementary signals for simultaneous control and validation.

Description of the frequency lock-in system

Controlled variable oscillator (VCO) generating the output signal

Frequency modulator applying a modulation frequency ωₘ much lower than the carrier frequency ω₀

Reference resonant circuit such as an optical cavity, RF resonator, crystal resonator, etc.

Response detector measuring the reflected or transmitted signal

Dual synchronous demodulation system consisting of : A synchronous demodulator at ωₘ providing the error signal ; A synchronous demodulator at 2ωₘ providing the validation signal.

Adaptive controller using both signals for the locking feedback Operation : The ωₘ signal provides a directional error signal proportional to the frequency deviation ; The 2ωₘ signal indicates the quality of the lock and validates the exact resonance state ; The control loop maximizes the 2ωₘ signal while minimizing the ωₘ signal.

Technical advantages :
Continuous self-diagnosis via the 2ωₘ signal ; Elimination of false locking through harmonic validation ; Automatic acquisition without external scanning ; Exceptional robustness to disturbances
Project currently under development : design of the SMARTDAQ-2025 data acquisition board
Project currently under development : design of the SMARTDAQ-2025 data acquisition board
SMARTDAC
Moroccan Line of Intelligent Acquisition Boards for Secondary and Higher Education A Public Educational Service Initiative
Limitations of current solutions
SYSAM-SP5 (France – Eurosmart) : — Board used since 2010, outdated technology — USB 2.0 interface, no modern connectivity — Price : 3500–4000 MAD/unit (imported) — Proprietary software, Windows-only — Limited technical support in Morocco
National Instruments myDAQ : — High-end solution, very costly — Price : 6000–8000 MAD/unit — Requires LabVIEW (expensive license) — Specialized training required — Complex maintenance
Arduino / Raspberry Pi (DIY solutions) : — Limited performance (8–10 bits) — No warranty or certification — No integrated educational software — No support available
Distinctive Innovations
Standalone Mode : — Operation without a PC thanks to the integrated touchscreen — Intuitive graphical user interface — Direct recording to SD card — Real-time signal visualization — Ideal for field work and demonstrations
Integrated IoT Connectivity : — MQTT streaming to cloud platforms (ThingsBoard, InfluxDB) — REST API for web integration — WebSocket for real-time monitoring — Node-RED compatible for automation — Secure remote access (HTTPS, authentication)
Cross-Platform Software Ecosystem : — HTML5 web interface (no installation required) — Desktop application for Windows / Linux / macOS — Mobile application for iOS / Android — Python SDK for advanced programming — Jupyter Notebook support for data science — MATLAB / Octave compatibility via API
Embedded Intelligence : — Real-time signal processing (FFT, filtering) — Automatic detection of measurement ranges — Periodic automatic calibration — Anomaly detection and protection — Event logging for diagnostics
Ease of Deployment : — Zero-touch configuration (automatic detection) — Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates — Configuration backup and restore — Multi-user mode with authentication — LDAP / Active Directory support for institutions