218 researchers
and 105 PhD students work in physics
Organisations
involved
:
Claude Bernard Lyon1 University
INSA-Lyon
Main skills : nuclear and particle physics ;
molecular spectroscopy and physics of multicharged ion ;
aggregates and nanostructured materials studies ;
laser and materials and thin layer physics as used in optics ;
guided optics and optical fibre amplifier development ;
air pollution laser detection ;
nanosources and nanotechnology development , as applied to electron
miscroscopy ;
surface, interface and adhesion force studies ...
The
la Doua Science Park draws on various competences in fundamental
research. It acts as a catalyst for breakthroughs and innovations.
More than 500 researchers and PhD students work in :
Some
of the challenges taken up by the la Doua-based fundamental
and applied physics research pole include understanding matter,
joining the race for the discovery and precise study of new
particles, pushing the limits of the infinitely small to handle
and design nanometre scale structures i.e. a millionth of a
millimetre... The la Doua Science Park has gained international
recognition through all of these.
Three physicists recently won prizes rewarding the quality of
their research :
The 2000 Thibaud Prize was awarded to Olivier Drapier, a CNRS
physicist working for the Lyon Institute of Nuclear Physics.
Drapier contributed to the discovery of a new state of matter,
quarks and gluon plasma.
The
French and German Physics Societies awarded the 2000 Gentner-Kastler
Prize to Michel Broyer, a LASIM researcher for his pioneering
work in molecular physics, physics of aggregates, and femtosecond
spectroscopy.
The
Lyon Institute of Nuclear Physics (INPL, joint CNRS / UCBL research
unit), hosts some 200 researchers working on fundamental physics with
numerous high potential applications. They gain experience from national
and international organisations (CERN in Genva, GANIL in Caen, VIVITRON
in Strasbourg, Laue-Langevin Institute in Grenoble...). Furthermore
the IN2P3 calculation centre, on which all French labs in nuclear
physics and particle physics rely, is based at la Doua.
La
Doua researchers therefore take part in numerous national and European
programmes :
NA
50 experiment : CERN-based study which has recently led
to the discovery of a new state of matter,
design
of a bolometre : a device detecting minute temperature changes
in crystals, to detect hypothetical particles i.e. WIMPS which
constitute the missing mass of the Universe,
VIRGO
: design of the mirrors for the French-Italian VIRGO project
the purpose of which is to confirm the existence of gravitational
waves as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity...
Radioactive
waste storage : IPNL is currently working on this crucial issue.
It endeavours to improve knowledge on nuclear matter, but also studies
the properties and characteristics of minerals which could be used
in storage compounds to stop radioactive element migration.
Effects
of radiations on DNA : research is conducted to further understand
these effects. Besides, IPNL also participates in the creation of
a centre for the hadrontherapy treatment of cancer tumors based
on the destruction of radio-resistant cancer cells by high-speed carbon
ions.
Nanophysics
and nanotechnologies :
After
the microtechnology revolution, a nanotechnology revolution is in
the making. Nanotechnologies will make it possible to design new materials
by piecing up aggregates with rare properties. In this field of study,
la Doua researchers have gained European recognition.
Small
aggregates : Dividing matter and rearranging it, observing
its new properties, these are the goals of the Lyon interlab
research centre on aggregates. This unique centre in Europe
relies on a multidisciplinary approach and specialists in the
gaseous phase, physicists, and chemists study the new aggregates
(i.e. atom aggregates with new geometries).
Nanotechnologies
: New technologies have been designed specifically for this
type of research, for example, field emission tips ending in
a single atom (with which nano-structures the scale of the angström
could be built), new microscopes adapted to the study of fragile
materials such as polymers and biological structures, and new
equipment to further investigate surfaces and interfaces (surface
and interfacial force measurements).
Optics
and lasers :
Tomorrow's
lasers
: LPCML, LASIM and LPM are
working on tomorrow's lasers. Numerous industrial applications are
at stake. They include blue lasers for improved data storage (with
a great potential in telecommunications), more efficient medical lasers,
… and even lasers detecting air pollution. The latter is at the centre
of a French and German research project called " Teramobil ", the
purpose of which is to develop a very powerful and mobile femtosecond
laser to analyse air pollution.
Amplifiers
for optical telecommunication : LPCML, together with Rennes'
and Le Mans' LVC as well as telecommunication professionals such
as Alcatel CIT, Alcatel Optronics, is studying optical fiber amplifier
for high-bit rate connections as part of a government RNRT (1999-2002)
programme involving several of its ministries. LPCML is also the
project leader of a RNRT (2001-2003) project on a new generation
of planar amplifiers for multiplexing and distribution in a partnership
with labs based in Rennes and Le Mans as well as industrial groups,
LETI-CEA, Alcatel CIT and Teem Photonics.
CRYSTAL
- CLEAR project :
LPCML, INPL and CERN
are working on the design of new scintillating materials to develop
detectors for physics and healthcare (collaboration between la Doua
and CERN).
Lyon
nano-opto-technology pole : This pole was created within the framework
of a state/region objective plan. Its purpose is to strengthen and
stimulate fundamental and applied research conducted in Lyon in these
fields of study and to transfer their results to both the industrial
world and the world of specialised education.
Training
:
Initial
training :
Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University.
880
undergraduates and postgraduates (in 1999).
Focus
on :
Licence et maîtrise de physique (3- and 4-year physics
degrees)
Licence de sciences physiques (3-year physics degree)
Magistère des sciences de la matière (vocational undergratuate
degree in matter sciences)
DESS Mesures physiques, analyse et contrôle (vocational
post-graduate degree in physics, control, and analysis)
DESS
Gestion des rejets atmosphériques des systèmes industriels
énergétiques et nucleaire (vocational post-graduate degree
in energy producing systems and nuclear industry atmospheric
release)
DESS
nanotechnologie (vocational
post-graduate degree in nanotechnology)
Physics
and astrophysics post-graduate school : DEA de physique
théorique Rhône-Alpin (Rhône-Alpes post-graduate research
certificate in theoretical physics) - DEA de physique
statistique et phénomènes non linéaires (post-graduate
research certificate in statistical physics and non-linear
phenomena) - DEA particules noyaux, atomes et photons
(post-graduate research certificate in particle core,
atoms and photons)
Materials post-graduate school : DEA matière condensée,
surfaces et interfaces (post-graduate research certificate
in condensed matter, surfaces and interfaces)
An
overview of innovations and achievements at la Doua
World
first : a new state of matter discovered !
IPNL
Physicists
form Lyon's Institute of Nuclear Physics played an active role
in the discovery of a new state of matter as part of an international
NA 50 collaboration. Considered as the ephemerous ancestor of
nuclear matter, quark and gluon plasma must have filled the
universe for a few microseconds after the Bing-Bang. Olivier
DRAPIER, an IPNL CNRS physicist, was awarded the 2000 Thibaud
Prize for his contribution in this breakthrough.
VIRGO
mirrors : high-precision optics
IPNL
IPNL
has been commissioned to design the large mirrors of the French-Italian
VIRGO programme. The mirrors for VIRGO are the best optics ever
built. They should make it possible to detect gravitational
waves predicted in Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Detecting
air pollutants
LASIM
LASIM
has designed a system to detect air pollutants. It relies on
laser techniques and LIDAR (Ligh detection and ranging) to scan
a whole area.
2000
Gentler- Kastler Prize
LASIM
Michel
BROYER, a UCBL Professor and Director of LASIM, was awarded
the 2000 Gentner-Kastler Prize by the French and German Physics
Society. This prize rewards pioneering work including :
design of a new method : depletion spectroscopy in aggregate
physics ;
analysis of Ryberg states leading to a major contribution
to and a new method in molecular physics.
This work
is part of recent developments in femtosecond spectroscopy thanks
to which cluster dynamics can now be studied.
Nanotechnology
Prize
DPM
Professor
VU THIEN from the UCBL Materials Physics Department was awarded
the Nanotechnology Prize by the French Research Ministry. This
Prize rewarded his research on the study and development of
nanosources for specific and industrial applications, the study
and characterisation of nanoobjects, and low voltage electron
microscopy.
Silicon
clathrates :
new materials in sight!
DPM
Silicon
clathrates are almost as hard as diamond. They have promising,
optoelectronic properties and have proven efficient for high-temperature
supraconductivity. They could well be tomorrow's materials with
applications in microelectronics. Carbon clathrates are as promising
and even cheaper.
Amplifiers
in integrated optics !
LPCML
LPCML
researchers have achieved optical amplification in planar wave
guides in fluoride glass. These photonic materials designed
at Rennes' LVC lab and Le Mans' LF lab offer great potential
e.g. for the development of wavelength multiplexing devices
and high-bit-rate optical telecommunication networks connection
distribution.
Major
projects
Research
Lyon nano-opto-technology pole
This
pole of research, located in the G. Lippman building, draws
on local skills in terms of nanostructure design, ultimate characterisation
and high-technology. It relies on a nano-optic centre, an electro-optic
characterisation centre and a common technological centre for
ECL, INSA and UCBL as well as a strong partnership with local
public and industrial labs ranging from CEA-LETI Grenoble to
pôle Optique et Vision (St-Etienne). The resulting research
projects, from orginal fundamental developments to industrial
transfers, are recognised internationally but are also on national
and regional priority lists.
Click here to locate the research labs and the businesses in fundamental
sciences >>
218 researchers
and 105 PhD students work in physics
Research
- Training - La Doua : innovations
and achievements - Major projects 
design of a new method : depletion spectroscopy in aggregate
physics ;