Light and its interactions with matter

On the occasion of the 50 years of the laser invention, this film shows the different aspects of this scientific discover which has revolutionized our daily life.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser, this film retraces various aspects of this scientific discovery that brought about a revolution in our daily lives. Laser (acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) has established itself in many fields such as telecommunications, surgery, materials cutting technologies, distance measurements, bar code reading, etc. All of this had not anticipated at the time of its development. The history of…

The Planck satellite started to observe the universe in August 2009. In 2013, the images collected enabled scientists to extract information about the structure of the universe, focusing their research on polarization in 2014. It is a property attributed to light which is the latest testimony of the interaction between light and matter. François Bouchet, cosmologist and Jean-Loup Puget, astrophysicist give a mid-term report on the results of Planck. They answer the following questions: - Does…

The Planck satellite started to observe the universe in August 2009. In 2013, the images collected enabled scientists to extract information about the structure of the universe, focusing their research on polarization in 2014. It is a property attributed to light which is the latest testimony of the interaction between light and matter. The photos made by Planck provide a high quality atlas of the universe showing matter clusters. Scientists explain what the universe is made of, and what is at…

The most reflective mirrors of the world are at the LMA laboratory (Laboratoire des Matériaux Avancés/laboratory of advanced materials) in Lyon. Up to two years is needed to integrate gravitational wave detectors like LIGO or VIGO. As key elements in these detectors, they are among the most accurate optical components ever produced in the world. Each of their processing steps must be conducted under stringent temperature, hygrometry and cleanliness conditions to reach the most perfect end…

The "Lady and the Unicorn" is the mysterious and must-see masterpiece at the Cluny Museum, in Paris. Little is known about these six impressive tapestries, apart from the fact that significant colour differences can be observed in the weaving. With cutting-edge measuring devices that scan the wall hangings on-site, then at the Archaeoscience laboratory in Bordeaux (southwestern France), researchers try to determine which dyes have been used on the wool and silk fibres. This research could…

As part of the Fiat Lux scientific project, the painted decorations of the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines are studied by a team of interdisciplinary researchers. Using LIBS, they will be able to identify the chemical elements that make up the pictorial materials among all those in Mendeleev's periodic table. Many other tools are used in this project designed to capture and disseminate heritage in a new way in the digital age.

At the Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie (International Tapestry Museum) in Aubusson, scientists are studying pieces made of silk and wool thread, coloured by natural substances several hundred years ago. They try to determine the recipes used by the original dyers of the time by using methods allowing them to go back in time.

A spin-off of the Models and Simulations for Architecture and Heritage laboratory (CNRS/Ministère de la Culture), the start-up Mercurio proposes a scanner to quickly and autonomously create realistic 3D models of art objects of all sizes, ranging from a vase to a sculpture. A new way to enhance museum collections.

À première vue, peu de choses affleurent à la surface de ce bloc de construction de deux mètres de long pesant une demie tonne. Le bloc de l'Alcazar, découvert à Marseille et conservé au Musée d'Histoire de la ville, est pourtant une curiosité sans équivalent. Eclairé sous une nouvelle lumière, c'est une partie de l'histoire de la Méditerranée d'il y a 2600 ans qu'il raconte alors… Il fait apparaitre des centaines de graffiti antiques superposés, de lettres, de silhouettes humaines et…

In the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel in the area of Nice, a team of interdisciplinary researchers is studying frescoes dating from the 15th century to understand how they deteriorate and thus better restore them. As part of the Fiat Lux program, this project is to collect and feed a large amount of images and information into a digital platform. Using different imaging techniques, these researchers will reconstruct works in 3D, probe their relief, make out successive repaints or even detect…

Portrait de Valentina Emiliani, lauréate de la médaille d'argent du CNRS 2021, directrice de recherche, responsable de l'équipe Microscopie à modulation du front d'onde à l'Institut de la vision, spécialisée dans la microscopie optique pour le vivant. " Après plusieurs années de recherche sur les propriétés optiques des structures à effet quantique, mes recherches sont aujourd'hui centrées sur le développement de méthodes optiques pour le contrôle des neurones par…

In 2019, the CNRS gold medal, one of the most prestigious French scientific awards, is awarded to the French-Norwegian physical chemist Thomas Ebbesen. His interdisciplinary work in nanoscience covers areas as diverse as carbon materials science, optics, nanophotonics and molecular chemistry. His discoveries have led to technological breakthroughs in optoelectronics, optical communications and biosensors. This professor from the University of Strasbourg was director of the…

In this report, scientists introduce 2019 CNRS Gold Medalist, Thomas Ebbesen and his research. This prestigious French scientific award is awarded to the Franco-Norwegian physical chemist for his highly interdisciplinary work in nanoscience, which covers fields as diverse as carbon materials science, optics, nanophotonics and molecular chemistry. His discoveries have led to technological breakthroughs in optoelectronics, optical communications and biosensors.

Au printemps dernier, la France s'est couverte d'un fin voile orange, charrié par les vents sahariens : des poussières de sable. Le phénomène est donc banal sous les latitudes européennes. Ce qui l'est moins, c'est l'effet de ces poussières sur le climat. Un effet pas facile à mesurer, vu l'étendue du phénomène - des voyages sur des milliers de kilomètres - et la taille des particules - millimétrique, voire moins ! À Créteil, une équipe de physiciens a recours à un outil original : Cesam, une «…

Portrait d'Emmanuel Lhuillier, médaille de bronze du CNRS 2022, chargé de recherche à l'Institut des nanosciences de Paris, spécialiste des nanocristaux colloïdaux pour des applications optoélectroniques, comme la détection des infrarouges. Entre chimie, physique et ingénierie, Emmanuel Lhuillier manipule des cristaux nanométriques colloïdaux, des nanoparticules dont la couleur change en jouant sur leur taille. Il utilise des nanoparticules de tellure de mercure qui absorbent dans la…

Profile of Eric Collet, winner of the 2020 CNRS Silver Medal, professor at the University of Rennes 1 - Physics Institute of Rennes (CNRS/University of Rennes 1, DR 17), director of the IM-LED France-Japan International Associate Laboratory.