Laboratoire d'Optique P.M. Duffieux
Description
Laboratoire d‘Optique P.M. Duffieux (LOPMD), Besançon – France, was founded in 1963 and is the most important French laboratory in the field of Applied Optics. LOPMD is associated to the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR CNRS 6603), and is a part of Institut des Microtechniques de Franche Comté (IMFC). The research inside LOPMD shows a strongly multi-disciplinary character involving four research groups: Nanooptics and Near Field Optics Nanometrology and Microsystems for Biomedicine, Integrated Optics and Non Linear Optics. Nanooptics and Near Field Optics group is one pioneer in Europe in the field of optical scanning microscopy. The fast development of technological equipments inside the IMFC is operating during last 10 years with four-research axis: micromachining, microcomponents, micro-robotics, and Nanotechnologies. This transformation was permit to LOPMD to have the following technologies: microsensor technologies, integrated optics on lithium niobate and integrated optics on silicon. Also IMFC with its optical, electronic and mechanical laboratories, is a highly suitable place for combining Micro Optics and Microsystems technologies. The IMFC owns about 500-m² clean room area including mask and wafer processing equipment. About 105 people are working at the LOPMD. Graduated student education has been a part of the LOPMD activity since it was founded. LOPMD is associated with Université de Franche-Comté to deliver "Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies" in Applied Optics and PhD diploma in Engineering Sciences. LOPMD currently employs around 45 graduate and undergraduate researchers. LOPMDs research has an international dimension through bilateral projects and cooperation in Europe and overseas (Switzerland with Inter-Reg programme, Georgia Institute of Technology in USA, the Laboratory for Integrated MicroMecatronics Systems at the University of Tokyo in Japan, and other European countries) and the involvement in the European ESPRIT, GROWTH, TEMPUS, and IST programmes.
