Physics and applied optics

The "Laboratoire d’optique appliquée (LOA)" is a joint research unit of the CNRS, École Polytechnique, and ENSTA that has been a pioneer in laser-matter interaction and plasma physics for over 30 years.

The laboratory's research activities cover a wide range of topics in ultrafast science, including the development of ultra-intense femtosecond (10-15 seconds) laser systems, the physics of laser filamentation in air, and the creation of compact sources of radiation and energetic particles for academic, societal, and industrial applications.

The LOA is continuing to develop the LAPLACE project, a center dedicated to laser-plasma accelerators.

Areas of application
  • Biomedical research
  • Defense
  • Energy
  • Environment

Research topics

LASER-MATTER INTERACTION, PLASMA PHYSICS, ULTRA-FAST SCIENCE

Our latest news

Alumni | Institute | Training | International | Student Life
Magali Maleh, Recipient of the ENSTA Foundation’s Excellence Scholarship

It takes a great deal of determination to stay motivated in your studies when you have to spend three hours a day commuting, with few career prospects in a sluggish economy. Magali Maleh, who grew up in crisis-stricken Argentina, knows this better than...

Magali Maleh, Recipient of the ENSTA Foundation’s Excellence Scholarship

It takes a great deal of determination to stay motivated in your studies when you have to spend three hours a day commuting, with few career prospects in a sluggish economy. Magali Maleh, who grew up in crisis-stricken Argentina, knows this better than...

Innovation | International | Research
ENSTA at IROS 2026

From September 27 to October 1, the 2026 edition of the IEEE IROS conference—one of the most prestigious scientific events in the field of robotics and intelligent systems—was held in Pittsburgh. Zhichen Lu, Benoit Clément, and Adriana Tapus were on site...

ENSTA at IROS 2026

From September 27 to October 1, the 2026 edition of the IEEE IROS conference—one of the most prestigious scientific events in the field of robotics and intelligent systems—was held in Pittsburgh. Zhichen Lu, Benoit Clément, and Adriana Tapus were on site...

Research
Engineers: The Cornerstone of Technological Sovereignty

During a research stay in Taiwan, Linda Gardelle, a professor and researcher in sociology at ENSTA, examined the decisive role engineers play in the island’s sovereignty. Under constant pressure from Beijing, their expertise in electronics—particularly in...

Engineers: The Cornerstone of Technological Sovereignty

During a research stay in Taiwan, Linda Gardelle, a professor and researcher in sociology at ENSTA, examined the decisive role engineers play in the island’s sovereignty. Under constant pressure from Beijing, their expertise in electronics—particularly in...

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