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

Institute | Training | Innovation | Research
The education and the research at ENSTA at the core of the development of IP Paris

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris’s back-to-term press conference took place on Tuesday 29 September. In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight ENSTA’s specific contributions and new developments in education that benefit the Institute.

The education and the research at ENSTA at the core of the development of IP Paris

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris’s back-to-term press conference took place on Tuesday 29 September. In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight ENSTA’s specific contributions and new developments in education that benefit the Institute.

Innovation | Research
SEARENITY, the magnetic hull-cleaning robot designed to decarbonise maritime transport

ENSTA is one of the partners in the SEARENITY project, which was selected under the ‘CORIMER Low-Carbon Ships’ call for proposals (funded by Ademe, France 2030). The project aims to develop an autonomous robot capable of continuously cleaning ship hulls...

SEARENITY, the magnetic hull-cleaning robot designed to decarbonise maritime transport

ENSTA is one of the partners in the SEARENITY project, which was selected under the ‘CORIMER Low-Carbon Ships’ call for proposals (funded by Ademe, France 2030). The project aims to develop an autonomous robot capable of continuously cleaning ship hulls...

Institute | Training
Training a generation of committed engineers

One afternoon in September, in the lecture theatres at ENSTA, groups of around ten students are discussing ideas whilst gathered around large sheets of white paper. Together, with the help of a facilitator, they are placing cards relating to climate...

Training a generation of committed engineers

One afternoon in September, in the lecture theatres at ENSTA, groups of around ten students are discussing ideas whilst gathered around large sheets of white paper. Together, with the help of a facilitator, they are placing cards relating to climate...

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