LPP
Laboratory of Plasma Physics
The Plasma Physics Laboratory (LPP) was established in 2009 with the ambition and scientific objective of bringing together plasma physicists from very different fields within a single unit: astrophysics, hot plasma and fusion physics, and cold and reactive plasma physics.
Due to this broad range of expertise, the LPP initially operated across three sites (Vélizy, Saint-Maur, and Palaiseau) under four supervisory institutions (CNRS, École Polytechnique, UPMC, and Université Paris-Sud). During the first mandate (2009–2014), the Vélizy site was closed, and most of its staff relocated to the École Polytechnique site in Palaiseau. As of January 1, 2015, the Paris Observatory became one of LPP’s supervisory institutions. During the following mandate (2015–2019), the Saint-Maur site remained in use until October 2015, when the last equipment and personnel were transferred to the Jussieu campus. Since late 2015, the laboratory has been permanently based at two sites: École Polytechnique in Palaiseau and the Jussieu campus of Sorbonne University.
The Polytechnique site covers about 2,200 m², while the Jussieu site spans around 900 m² over two levels. Staff are distributed approximately as follows: 70 people at the Polytechnique site, 25 at the Jussieu site, and 15 bi-located staff members (who spend at least one day a week at each site).
The LPP is made up of three scientific teams:
- Fusion Plasmas
- Cold Plasmas
- Space Plasmas
and two support teams:
– Administrative team
– IT team
In addition, two cross-disciplinary scientific themes complete the laboratory’s scientific structure: a “Turbulence” theme and a “Numerical Plasmas” theme.