Matériaux avancés et optique
Materials, energy, photonics
Animateur scientifique : A. Pillonnet
Scientific coordinator: A. Pillonnet
L’axe relie la science des matériaux et la recherche des processus optiques et vibrationnels, visant le développement de méthodes analytiques et de dispositifs de pointe pour la photonique, la phononique, la transition énergétique et les arts.
Matériaux. La conception de structures modèles favorise l’exploration de nouveaux phénomènes et stimule l’innovation. L’axe développe des procédés physiques et chimiques d’élaboration de matériaux, passifs ou actifs, sous forme de cristaux, céramiques, films et métastructures. L’étude physico-chimique des matières est menée lors de leur synthèse et sous sollicitations thermiques, mécaniques, électriques ou électromagnétiques.
Photonique, Phononique, Énergie. Les processus optiques et vibrationnels sont au cœur des recherches de l’axe, incluant en particulier la plasmonique, l’optique non linéaire, la luminescence, l’optique guidée et chirale. Ces recherches génèrent le progrès et l’innovation dans les sources de lumière, les lasers, les systèmes d’imagerie, les sondes et capteurs.
L’axe mobilise son expertise pour la transition énergétique, en travaillant sur la conversion, le stockage et le transport de l’énergie, ainsi que sur la photochimie et les matériaux durables.
La compréhension des processus physiques conduit au développement de méthodes analytiques telles que l’imagerie élémentaire (LIBS), les spectroscopies pompe-sonde, chirale, électronique et vibrationnelle (Raman, Brillouin, infra-rouge), la colorimétrie, ainsi que les mesures de transport thermique et électrique. Ces méthodes, in situ ou embarquées, répondent à des enjeux pour la recherche scientifique et appliquée, l’art et le patrimoine.
The thematic axis “Materials, energy, photonics” occupies the middle ground between fundamental materials science and application-oriented research. It unites seven groups whose research activities contain an aspect of understanding physical phenomena with respect to the structural or physico-chemical properties of materials and/or the potential applications of those same properties.
The boundaries of this thematic are difficult to define sharply. With respect to scientific questions, the concept of “materials” implies that the dimensions of the objects of interest range from the macroscopic (bulk materials) down to nanostructures, both amorphous and crystalline, with one- or two-dimensional structures, as fibers or thins films, as intermediates. With regard to our axis, we limit ourselves to assemblies of nanostructures on the low end of the dimensional scale, while the investigation of individual nanoparticles is more naturally imputed to the axis "Nanosciences".
The research groups of the axis are mainly active in the fields of optics and spectroscopy. This results in a broad expertise and instrumental infrastructures for the development of active and passive materials for optics and photonics. As a non-exhaustive illustration, we mention here frequency-conversion properties, amplification, stimulated Raman effects, scintillation, with relevance for important societal challenges such as photovoltaic, medical imaging, telecommunication, opto-electronics, nuclear waste storage, therapy, photocatalysis, and enantioselective biosensors. Furthermore, the search for materials with tunable magnetic properties such as magnetic anisotropy, as well as the effects of high pressure on the structure and on the vibrational, thermoelectric, or superconductive properties, are part of the specific competences of the axis.
In addition to studies of their properties, the elaboration of these materials is one of the strengths of the axis. With regard to the development of nanoparticles, several types of strong skills will be found, ranging from the synthesis by soft chemistry of hybrid materials with optical and magnetic functionalities in the direction of health, for example, to development techniques by physical means (Low Energy Cluster Beam Deposition, Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid) for more fundamental studies also oriented towards optics or magnetism. A strong potential for the elaboration of thin films with optical functionalities is also present through Pulsed Laser Deposition techniques for sol-gel deposition of organic or inorganic materials. Crystalline synthesis in the form of fibres or monocrystals is also an important skill within the axis. The iLM is thus very involved in the research, manufacture and analysis of components for gravitational interferometry, notably the manufacture of large mirrors with very low absorption. The development of materials under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure is also part of the know-how present in the thematic axis. Finally, through their research into the understanding of materials and luminous or coloured phenomena, the researchers have developed research in connection with the Human and Social Sciences on the theme of "Light and Matter for the Arts and Heritage".
A large part of these research topics takes advantage of the ILMTech scientific platform of the institute and of external infrastructure (CLYM, Cristal INNOV), as well as of large scale facilities, i.e., ESRF, ILL and Soleil at the national level, and DESY, BESSY (Germany), SLS (Switzerland), ELETTRA (Italy), Argone (USA) and Campesina (Brazil) on an international scale.