The laboratory MPQ "Materials and Quantum Phenomena", is a young physics research laboratory of CNRS and University of Paris Diderot created in 2005. It comprises about 100 members divided in 38 permanent researchers (12 scientists from CNRS and 26 professors or assistant professors from universities), 12 administrative and technical staff, 32 PhD students, 12 post-docs and visitors. At CNRS, MPQ belongs to the CNRS physics institute INP but with a second link with the engineering institute INSIS. Research activities at MPQ concern the study of quantum phenomena in nanomaterials down to the atomic scale and the elaboration of quantum devices based on this fundamental research. The originality of MPQ is to mix researchers with a different culture (surface science, condensed matter, both electronic and structural properties, non linear optics, optoelectronics and quantum optics). Research activity at MPQ is already performed at the highest international level.
8 research teams are all involved in the SEAM project. They are structured into 4 main research themes :

• Nanomaterials and self-organization
• Self-Organisation of Nanostructures and STM (STM)
• Advanced electronic microscopy and nanostructures (Me-ANS)
• Electronic properties at reduced dimensionality
• Spectroscopy of QUAsi - particules (SQUAP)
• Electronic transport at molecular level (TELEM)
• Quantum photonics
• Trapped ions and Quantum Information (IPIQ)
• Non linear Optical Devices (DON)
• Quantum physics and Devices (QUAD)
• The Theory team created in 2010
   

MPQ research teams are very well-known for non linear optics and use of intersubband optical transitions in the engineering of semiconductors : quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) as THz sources, IR detectors, integrated semiconductors twin laser sources. Recent results concern the invention of a new quantum cascade detector, an integrated twin photon sources, light matter strong coupling in the THz frequency range, the coherent control of THz QCLs. QCLs. Activities in nanosciences are also very well known at the international level. We have been pioneers in the development of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. Self-organisation at surfaces has been used in order to identify new mechanisms for the magnetization reversal of small dots, which is of high interest for magnetic information storage. New promising CoPt dots with higher Magnetic anisotropy have been proposed due to their shape and sizes. Raman spectroscopy has been used for advances in the understanding of multiferroïcs and supraconductors. Now research turns also to molecular electronics and spintronics which are projects developed within this SEAM project. The theory group developed in the recent years has explained for example the polaritons superfluidity, which is a new exciting phenomenon. Research in the theory group at MPQ is devoted to the theoretical study of new quantum systems and to the exploration of unconventional regimes in condensed matter systems including semiconductors, superconductors, hybrid systems, ultracold atoms, molecules and ions. New theoretical methods are developed in order to investigate fundamental properties and also to study new quantum device functionalities, particularly in out-of-equilibrium conditions and in presence of a noisy environment. This research has been first performed with fruitful interactions with the several experimental teams at MPQ (namely semiconductors and quantum cascade lasers), in France and abroad. Inside the SEAM Labex, it will be also useful for the partners working on the design and the elaboration of inorganic and hybrid materials for photonics applications (nanomaterials axis), magnetic anisotropic nanomaterials or large band gap semiconductors (carbon materials axis). Applications of research at MPQ concern non linear optics with Infra-Red (IR) Detectors (THALES and ONERA collaborations), new laser sources in the far IR and THz wave length. THz spectroscopy is useful for detecting specific molecules which are polluants or explosives. Therefore, these applications concern sustainability and the security. In nanomagnetism and spintronics, applications are devoted to molecular electronics and magnetic information storage (volatile and non volatile). It can also lead to a reduction of energy consumption. Technological facilities are located at MPQ such as a Clean Room and a High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM). The clean room is part of a Paris Center consortium including the Ecole Normale Superieure, the ESPCI graduate school and the University of Pierre et Marie Curie. The clean room inside our building will be inaugurated in 2011. The HRTEM is part of RIME consortium composed of all HRTEM instruments in Ile-de-France and the national METSA network (French national network for Transmission Electron Microscope and Atomic Probe). The new HRTEM was installed in 2011. It will offer unique facilities of imaging and analysis with exceptionally high spatial and energy resolutions, 0.07 nm and 0.25 eV respectively. This platform is very important for developing our research projects, both at MPQ and within the SEAM consortium. For example, MSC is already using equipments from the clean room. Therefore, this large facilities benefit to all the scientific community, and more specifically to the region of Ile-de-France and also within the SEAM Labex.