Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, France
CNRS, “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique” (National Center for Scientific Research) is a public organization under the responsibility of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. As the largest fundamental research organization in Europe, CNRS carried out research in all fields of knowledge, including the humanities and social sciences, biological sciences, nuclear and particle physics, information sciences, engineering and systems, physics, mathematical sciences, chemistry, earth sciences and astronomy, ecology and the environment.
The “Laboratoire de Physique des Interfaces et de Couches Minces”, LPICM (common research unit: CNRS UMR7647 and Ecole Polytechnique) is well known worldwide for its expertise in thin-film deposition and large-area electronic devices, as well as in optical characterization of thin films (ellipsometry, scatterometry, Raman scattering, etc.). The lab currently comprises 130 staff members (including 31 permanent personnel, employed by CNRS or Exole Polytechnique). Its research topics involve the synthesis of semiconductors, conductors and dielectric thin films (silicon, carbon and organic), the conception, characterization and modelling of electronic devices and thin film optical characterization by Ellipsometry and polarimetry. LPICM collaborates with several industrial groups, such as Air Liquide, Saint Gobain, Thales, ST Microelectronics, Samsung and Total.