The Inauguration of the First Renovated Building at the Montpellier Physics Laboratories
Sophie Béjean, Rector of the Occitanie Academic Region, Rector of the Montpellier Academy, and Chancellor of the Universities, along with Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier, inaugurated the first renovated building of the Montpellier Physics Laboratories (LPM) on September 25, 2024. This “LPM Building 20” project, with a budget of 10M€ allocated to the University of Montpellier and funded by the government as part of the Opération Campus initiative , began in May 2021, with the building set to open at the end of September 2022.
A Landmark Initiative for Physics Research in Montpellier
The “LPM” project is being carried out in two phases to merge the Charles Coulomb Laboratory and the Montpellier Universe and Particles Laboratory (“University of Montpellier / CNRS”). Currently spread out across various locations, they will eventually be brought together in two nearby, renovated buildings.
These buildings have also been completely renovated to house state-of-the-art, high-tech scientific equipment needed for basic and applied research in physics.
The first phase thus focused on the renovation and expansion of Building 20 to transform it into a building dedicated solely to research. This single-story building, which dates back to 1965, previously housed teaching, research, and campus life activities. It now has a total floor area of 2,100 m² (including a 450 m² expansion).
The two laboratories, L2C and LUPM, have more than 200 permanent staff members (including 135 researchers and Professors) and 100 non-permanent staff members (doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, etc.). L2C is a laboratory for fundamental and applied physics, covering a wide range of topics: theoretical physics, physical chemistry, and biophysics, with a foundation of theoretical and experimental research focused on condensed matter and nanosciences. The LUPM is a laboratory dedicated to stellar astrophysics, astroparticles, high-energy astrophysics, particle physics, cosmology, and theoretical physics. It participates in observational projects such as the detection of gamma-ray bursts, the detection of neutrino signatures, wide-field observations of the early Universe and the evolution of stars or stellar magnetism, as well as the detection of primordial signatures using nanosatellites.
Two Objectives for the Renovation of Building 20
An Energy-Efficiency Renovation Goal
This involves installing comprehensive exterior insulation (on walls and the roof), replacing windows and HVAC systems (with dual-flow air-handling units), and upgrading the lighting (to LED).
A goal of major restructuring
The main challenge is to create high-performance research facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology (zone-specific temperature and humidity control, air handling, vibration isolation, etc.), while also incorporating spaces for public engagement (auditorium, meeting rooms, etc.).
The vast majority of Building 20 is dedicated to the L2C’s near-field optics, spectroscopy, and microscopy experiments: cutting-edge research on nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene), the study of materials for quantum technologies, the physics of quantum sensors and emitters, UV photonics, biophotonics, and the study of various materials (glasses, semiconductors, etc.). These are delicate and ultra-precise experiments, all of which require stable thermal, humidity, vibration, and electrical conditions—essential for original and productive research that yields internationally recognized results. Facilities that also allow for the use of cryogenic fluids (liquid nitrogen and helium). A shared gas distribution system (for argon and helium gas) is available, as well as chemistry labs for sample preparation.
The second phase, “LPM – Building 13,” is currently underway
It involves the renovation of a second building located next door. Building 13 is much larger, with a floor area of 9,300m², spread over six floors, one of which will be occupied by the LUPM. The other floors will house the L2C’s offices and remaining experiments. This second phase of the LPM project is estimated to cost more than 25 M€. Construction began in March 2023 and will be completed by the spring break of 2025.
Practical Information:
- Date: September 25, 2024
- Location: Building 20 on the Triolet campus
