Research interests

Atom-light interactions

We use lasers to cool atoms and ions and to control their quantum states. We pioneered a 3 photon N type scheme to address forbidden transitions. We are interested both in experimental aspects and in modelization.

High precision measurements

We use laser cooled trapped ions as clocks for frequency metrology. We have a developped an ultra-stable laser to address the narrow clock transition of Calcium ions. We use a frequency comb to stabilize all the interrogation lasers. We also investigate the octupole ion trap geometry to improve the performances of laser cooled ion clocks.

Ultracold plasma physics

We investigate the dynamical behavior of laser cooled trapped atoms and ions, in a regime where they form an ultracold strongly correlated plasma. Our platforms serve as simulators of real neutral plasmas or binary non-neutral plasmas.

Quantum technologies

We are interested in developping new protocols for the control of internal state of the ions and use laser cooled ion ensembles as single molecule detectors for biological applications.

Current projects

3 PHOTONS

We drive a three photon transition between two metastable states of the Calcium ion, using three phase coherent lasers with very different wavelength. This is made possible by the use of an optical frequency comb.

UNCAP

We are starting a new project to study ultracold neutral plasmas. We will laser cool Calcium atoms in a magneto-optical trap and use photo-ionization to create a cold neutral plasma at milli-Kelvin temperatures.

GIANTMOL

We intend to use a laser cooled ion cloud as a detector for large molecules. We have built a dedicated setup to inject and launch molecules onto the cold ion cloud.

TADOTI

We study thermal equilibrium and diffusion processes in laser cooled ion clouds. We realize a two component non-neutral plasma in a strongly correlated regime.

News from the group

  • March 2025 Marius Romuald Kamsap is visiting our group for one month.
  • Feb. 2025 We welcome Viviana Maldonado Estrada for a two months internship on the GiantMol project.
  • Dec. 2024 The UNCAP project is funded by A*MIDEX and starts in January 2025!
  • Oct. 2024 We welcome Tristan Barthelemy for a one month stay in our group.