Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée

Nonclassical Nucleation Pathways in Condensation

2026-01-19T08:19:43Z

When vapor nucleates into liquid, the critical droplets break a key assumption of classical nucleation theory (CNT). CNT assumes that critical droplets have the same density as the final liquid—an assumption that leads to prediction on nucleation rate that can be wrong by orders of magnitude. Using state-of-the-art computer simulation strategies designed to capture rare events, we directly observe that the critical droplets are less dense than ordinary liquid. This reveals a nonclassical (…)

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New Publication: Classical Electrodynamics (Fundamentals and Applications)

2026-01-15T15:44:14Z

We are pleased to announce the publication of the new book Classical Electrodynamics: Fundamentals and Applications, co-authored by Fabian Cadiz (PMC Laboratory, École polytechnique – CNRS) and Arnaud Couairon (Centre de Physique Théorique, École polytechnique – CNRS), and published by Springer in the Undergraduate Texts in Physics series (2025).
This textbook offers a unified treatment of classical electrodynamics, combining mathematical rigor with clear presentations of symmetry and (…)

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Journées Surfaces et Interfaces JSI 2025

2024-10-23T16:53:50Z

Two members of our laboratory have been invited to present their activity to the next french meeting on surfaces and interfaces (Journées Surfaces et Interfaces, JSI 2025) to be held in Orsay from 29 to 23 January 2025.
Each year, the Journées Surfaces & Interfaces (JSI) highlight advances in the physics and chemistry of surfaces and interfaces, including all areas of nanoscience. Topics covered include the structure and morphology of surfaces and interfaces and nanomaterials, their (…)

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Defect Engineering of Electronic Properties in 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide ternary alloys

2023-01-10T13:26:04Z

DEEP2D both targets new basic knowledge on nanomaterials and its envisioned breakthrough for nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. It belongs to worldwide efforts devoted to basic understanding of novel nanomaterials, and of their implementation into alternative nanoelectronics technologies. Our multidisciplinary approach, both experimental and theoretical, will unveil a large panel of ground breaking knowledge in several fields among which nanomaterials and surface physics, optoelectronics (…)

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Vernissage de l'exposition La recherche d'aujourd'hui pour l'énergie de demain

2022-10-27T09:52:56Z

Cette exposition, portée par le PMC, est accessible au musée de l'Ecole polytechnique (MusX) et présente les différents moyens de production d'énergie. Elle en trace l'historique et présente les travaux menés dans des laboratoires de Palaiseau et Saclay pour résoudre les enjeux écologiques actuels.

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When nonlinearity meets complexity : a controlled radio-frequency maser for dynamic molecular polarization (DNP) -Project funded by the ANR

2022-10-27T09:51:16Z

This project aims at investigating fundamental aspects of nonlinear magnetization dynamics of hyperpolarized spins by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) in high magnetic fields at liquid helium temperatures using an electronically feedback-controlled radio-frequency maser : eFb RDCU-MASER-DNP.
Tests of the RDCU-MASER-DNP unit on the 300MHz NMR spectrometer of the Ecole Polytechnique, before installation at the LBM of ENS PARIS. The RDCU-MASER-DNP unit was built at the PMC laboratory.

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Controlling homogeneity of the first lithiation in methylated amorphous silicon

2022-06-10T11:57:21Z

Controlling homogeneity of the first lithiation in methylated amorphous silicon Electrodes made of methylated amorphous silicon (a-Si1-x(CH3)x:H) have better cyclability than those made of pure amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). As a result, they would be better candidates for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However, it is observed by operando optical microscopy that the first lithiation of a thin layer of methylated amorphous silicon is non-uniform: it starts from isolated nucleation (…)

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Growth of MOFs on functionalized Si surfaces

2022-06-10T11:51:44Z

MOFs (Metal Organic Frameworks) are crystalline hybrid materials obtained by assembling metal ions and organic ligands. These materials have great potential for many applications due to their high porosity (specific surface area typically between 1000 and 10000 m2/g) greater than that of inorganic porous materials and their structural (pore size and shape) and physical properties. -chemical, adjustable by the choice of precursors. In the laboratory, the Electrochemistry and Thin Films team (…)

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Exposition sur l'énergie au MUS'X

2022-06-03T15:08:00Z

LA RECHERCHE D'AUJOURD'HUI POUR L'ENERGIE DE DEMAIN
A l'heure de la hausse de la concentration de dioxyde de carbone (CO²) dans l'atmosphère (413,2 parties par million en 2020), de la hausse du prix des énergies carbonées et de la dépendance énergétique au pétrole et au gaz importés, quelles sont les pistes de recherche actuelles des laboratoires pour trouver de nouvelles sources d'énergies ?
L'exposition "La recherche d'aujourd'hui pour l'énergie de demain" présente des recherches (…)

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Very efficient valley polarization of charged excitons in monolayer MoS2.

2022-05-24T14:48:53Z

A recently published work from the “Electrons Photons Surfaces” group explores the valley degree of freedom of charged excitons in atomically thin semiconductors.
Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers host degrees of freedom with promising properties for future opto-electronic devices. Indeed, electrons and holes in MoS2 monolayers exhibit a unique coupling between the spin and the crystal momentum, also referred to as the valley. A crucial requirement for future applications is (…)

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