About us

The Light Sciences and Technologies Graduate Program of the University of Bordeaux provides an interdisciplinary, innovative and international training program from Master to Doctorate.

The field of Photonics has the capacity to address some of the greatest revolutions of the 21st century, in energy, health sciences, advanced manufacturing, ICT, security or environmental protection...
Brahim Lounis — Scientific director

Photonics, or sciences of Light, is recognized as one of the six Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) by the European Commission, providing the basis for innovation and enabling the increase of productivity and technology deployment for a competitive and sustainable economy. Its fast scientific evolution, as well as its combination with other technologies and the development of new solutions will generate rapid market expansion. Such enabling technology covers applications such as advanced manufacturing, information and communication technologies, energy, health, security and environment. This calls for highly-trained future researchers and engineers in order to meet the increasing needs of the R&D sector.

Strengths of the program

Integrated and interdisciplinary education program provided by academic and industrial experts
Immersive training in research laboratories and the industrial R&D centers
Extensive hands-on training is given in state of the art research facilities and infrastructures
Transverse skills modules
International mobility and/or training in industry

The interdisciplinary graduate program in Light Sciences and Technologies focuses on three domains of excellence of the University of Bordeaux:

Light Generation, Manipulation and Detection

The generation, transport, manipulation, detection and use of light are at the heart of the photonics domain of excellence. The development of laser systems has led to expertise in nonlinear-optical phenomena and exploitation of these effects for nonlinear-optical devices and optimized laser systems. The optical materials design involves state-of-the-art knowledge on the synthesis, structure, characterization tools, properties (including optical properties) and application (including luminescence) of functional materials. Photonics, micro- & nano-optics local expertise addresses various research fields such as: Plasmonics, Photonic nanomaterials/metamaterials/meta-surfaces, Optical nano emitters and nanoantennas. The light and energy domain covers expertise on low-energy light sources, intelligent lighting controls and solar energy conversion (photovoltaics and other solar energy harvesting technologies). Light detection research includes advanced detection systems for sensing and imaging and photo-detection architectures.

Extreme regime of light

The heralding of a new paradigm in the application of high power lasers is enabling a unique range of fundamental and applied sciences, and new technologies, including novel particle accelerators, light initiated nuclear reactions research, laboratory astrophysics, condensed matter under high pressure, novel x-ray sources, and strong-field QED, amongst others. At the same time, the complementary development of Nanosciences and quantum physics has allowed making tremendous progress in the mastering of electronic excitations in nanostructured materials and devices and on the quantum properties of matter at ultra-low temperatures. Strong synergies are now expected from the mustering of both approaches to Extreme Regimes of Light. This specialty will require a good knowledge of mathematics, optics, electrodynamics, experimental physics and basics of quantum mechanics.

Light imaging and biophotonics

Concepts in light imaging are often approached from the angle of methodology which reflects the duality of this broad field of science and engineering: the constant need for development of new investigation methodologies for pushing the limits of current performances, and the clever application of state-of-the-art methods for specific (bio)applications. This duality, however, requires the acquisition of common basic knowledge: a set of multidisciplinary skills in physics, chemistry and biology to understand and master the different aspects of light imaging.