Quantum and Molecular Photonics Laboratory - team of the Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moléculaire (LPQM), UMR CNRS 8537 - ENS Cachan

This young team of Ecole Centrale Paris, investigating ultrafast optical and thermal exchanges at the nanoscale, belongs to both LPQM and Institut d’Alembert of the ENS Cachan and the CNRS.

Research Topics

• Ultrafast plasmonics in metal nanoparticles

Noble metal nanoparticles offer remarkable optical properties linked with the plasmon resonance phenomenon. Numerous developments are currently based on these properties, constituting the field of plasmonics. In order to better understand the physical processes involved, it appears relevant to study the optical response dynamics subsequent to the excitation of matter by a light pulse. This thematic therefore relies on the development of modeling methods adapted to the different time scales involved and on the implementation of ultrafast laser spectroscopy techniques.

• Photo-induced heat transfer at short time and space scales

In this theme we study the optical generation of heat and its transfer at both nanometer scale and ultrashort times, where the classical approaches are no longer valid.

• Heat nanosources for chemistry and biology

Metal nanoparticles under visible electromagnetic radiation are able to act as nanoscale heat sources due to a series of internal energy exchanges. This conversion process can be employed in various fields, particularly for realizing optical, chemical or biological functions. One can then envisage materials or devices whose functionality is only activated and controlled by light. Within dedicated partnerships we jointly developing projects targeting biomedical applications (improvement of the adhesion of nanohybrid particles on cancer cells for nano-hyperthermia therapy).

• Light-heat nanoconversion: photonic applications

Thanks to the localized plasmon resonance phenomenon, stemming from the interaction of an electromagnetic wave and the electrons confined in metal nanoparticles, one can efficiently and very quickly inject energy in the latter by light irradiation. From the series of the subsequent exchange and relaxation mechanisms the optical properties of the composite medium where these nanoparticles are spread are modified in a fast transient way. By playing together with these nanoscale photo-induced modifications and the processing of the composite medium in wavelength-scale structured devices (resonant cavity, photonic crystal), one may conceive optically controlled photonic functions.

Fields of application

Use of metal nanoparticles in therapies against cancer by localized photo-induced hyperthermia. Optimization of other biological applications as targeted drug delivery, design of photo-actuators in microfluidic channels, ultrasensitive biochemical sensors, photothermal imaging. Concepts and devices for ultrafast photonics.