The Department's research teams are internationally known for their activities in various fields of physics : nuclear physics and particles, molecular spectroscopy and the physics of multicharged ions, the study of molecular aggregates and nanostructured materials, the physics of lasers and development of materials for optics, laser detection of atmospheric pollution, development of nanosources and nanotechnologies especially for electronic microscopy, the study of surfaces, interfaces and forces of adhesion, near field microscopy, ...
The department laboratories carry out their research in close collaboration with organizations at the local, regional (Rhone-Alpes Region) and national (CNRS, CEA, GANIL in Caen, ILL and ESRF in Grenoble) levels. Within the framework of international programs they work closely with numerous French and foreign laboratories, as well as international research institutions such as CERN.
The department is also greatly involved in the Andre Marie Ampere Research Federation.