Laboratoire PhLAM
Laboratoire PhLAM (UMR 8523) is a French public research laboratory under CNRS and University of Lille, conducting fundamental and applied research on light-matter interaction across five teams (quantum systems, nonlinear dynamics, molecular physics, photonics) and training doctoral students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersVilleneuve d'Ascq, France
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Laboratoire PhLAM does
Laboratoire PhLAM (UMR 8523 - Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules) is a public Mixed Research Unit under the dual supervision of CNRS and the University of Lille, located at the Cité Scientifique campus in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Hauts-de-France. Created in January 1998 from the merger of the Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Hertzienne and the Laboratoire de Dynamique Moléculaire et Photonique, it continues a 60-year Lille tradition in light-matter interaction research. The laboratory is organized into five research teams — Systèmes Quantiques, DYSCO, PCMT, Photonique, and PMI — covering quantum systems, nonlinear dynamics, molecular physics and theoretical chemistry, photonics, and molecular physics of interfaces. It employs over 170 members including 40 doctoral students (50% international) and operates two University of Lille-labeled technology platforms (FiberTech Lille and CERLA), a BIOPHOTONICS platform, and the SAKURA high-performance computing cluster (874 cores, 36 nodes).
The laboratory produces specialized scientific instrumentation including the SpiderMass laser-assisted mass spectrometry system and the LITE terahertz spectroscopy experiment, and runs a high-impact publication track record in Nature, Nature Physics, Nature Photonics, Physical Review Letters, and PNAS. PhLAM's outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, doctoral training via the École Doctorale SMRE n°104, and technology transfer including the Lightcore Technologies spin-off and the LabCORE joint laboratory with industry. It does not operate commercial pricing; funding flows from CNRS and University of Lille block support, French National Research Agency (ANR) project grants (INTERSTELLAR, SOFORA, SOGOOD, DEADPOOL, etc.), European Horizon 2020/Europe programs, regional CPER instruments (CLIMIBIO, ECRIN, WaveTech@HdF, Labex CaPPA), GENCI national supercomputing allocations, and industrial valorization activities.
PhLAM serves four constituencies: the international academic physics and chemistry research community (primary), doctoral and master's students seeking research training in light-matter physics and photonics (primary), industrial partners requiring specialty fiber, laser, and optical-imaging expertise (secondary), and the general public through scientific mediation activities (secondary). As a public research entity rather than a commercial enterprise, customer relationships are structured as institutional collaborations, doctoral supervision, joint laboratories, and technology-transfer agreements rather than paid contracts.
Laboratoire PhLAM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Laboratoire PhLAM
- Legal name
- Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules
- Website
- https://phlam.univ-lille.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Laboratoire PhLAM (UMR 8523) is a French public research laboratory under CNRS and University of Lille, conducting fundamental and applied research on light-matter interaction across five teams (quantum systems, nonlinear dynamics, molecular physics, photonics) and training doctoral students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Laboratoire PhLAM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Research Laboratory Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)
Keywords
Where Laboratoire PhLAM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Villeneuve d'Ascq
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Laboratoire PhLAM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Public Research Funding: Core funding from dual supervision by CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) and University of Lille, supporting fundamental research operations and infrastructure maintenance
- ANR and European Research Grants: Project-based funding from French National Research Agency (ANR) and European programs including Horizon 2020, covering specific research initiatives and equipment
- Regional and Local Funding: Funding from CPER (Contrat de Plan État-Région) programs including CLIMIBIO, ECRIN, WaveTech@HdF, and Labex CaPPA for specific thematic research areas
- Valorization and Technology Transfer: Industrial partnerships, joint laboratories (LabCORE), declaration of inventions, and knowledge transfer activities generating industry collaborations
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Laboratoire PhLAM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Laboratoire PhLAM is a public research laboratory (UMR 8523) under dual supervision of CNRS and the University of Lille that conducts fundamental and applied research in the physics of light-matter interaction across five specialized teams (Systèmes Quantiques, DYSCO, PCMT, Photonique, PMI). It provides doctoral and master's training, operates technology platforms (FiberTech Lille, CERLA, SAKURA HPC cluster), develops scientific instruments (SpiderMass, LITE), and transfers technology to industry through joint laboratories and startup spinoffs.
Product overview
Laboratoire PhLAM (UMR8523) is a CNRS/University of Lille research laboratory, not a commercial product company. It operates technology platforms and develops scientific instruments including the SpiderMass laser-assisted mass spectrometry system for biological imaging, and has produced the Lightcore Technologies startup spinoff for molecular optical imaging. The laboratory's core offerings are research expertise, doctoral training, and technology platforms (CERLA, FiberTech Lille, SAKURA HPC cluster) available through collaboration and industry partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SpiderMass Instrument
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% of doctoral students from international backgrounds
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Laboratoire PhLAM
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Laboratoire PhLAM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Laboratoire PhLAM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreCo-supervision of UMR 8523 as a Mixed Research Unit. CNRS provides national research framework, funding support, and institutional recognition as France's premier scientific research organization.
- Université de LillecoreDual supervision alongside CNRS. PhLAM is a major element of the Physics Department and École Doctorale SMRE n°104. Supports teaching at all levels (BUT, license, master, doctorate) and labels technology platforms (FiberTech Lille, CERLA).
- ITES (Institut des Transitions Environnementales et Sociales)flagshipFederative research structure at University of Lille in which PhLAM members participate. Addresses environmental and social transitions through interdisciplinary research approaches.
- IRCICA (Institut de Recherche sur les Composants Logiciels et Matériels pour l'Information et la Communication Avancée)coreFederative research institute at University of Lille where PhLAM members contribute to research on software and hardware components for information and communication technologies.
- ED SMRE (École Doctorale Sciences de la Matière, du Rayonnement et de l'Environnement n°104)coreDoctoral school in which PhLAM constitutes the major element. Manages doctoral training and theses for research in matter, radiation, and environment sciences.
- FiberTech Lille PlatformflagshipTechnology platform labeled by University of Lille, originating from PhLAM's Photonics team. Develops specialty fibers, fiber lasers, and photonic devices. Available for industry collaborations.
- CERLA (Centre d'Études et de Recherches Lasers et Applications)flagshipLaser applications research center founded by PhLAM. Provides advanced optical instrumentation capabilities and serves as a shared resource for laser research and applications.
- LabCORE Joint LaboratoryflagshipJoint laboratory created between PhLAM and industry partners for photonic technology development and transfer, enabling closer academia-industry collaboration.
- Lightcore TechnologiesflagshipStart-up company dedicated to molecular optical imaging technologies, resulting from technology transfer from PhLAM research. Featured in CNRS Innovation Newsletter June issue.
- CERLA / PC2A CollaborationcoreCollaborative research between PhLAM (CERLA) and PC2A laboratories enabling chemical characterization of complex surfaces, featured in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry journal cover.
- International Research CollaborationscoreInternational collaborations including partnerships with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste (Italy), Northumbria University (UK), ENS Lyon, Télécom Paris, and other institutions for joint research projects and doctoral training.
- Université Paris-SaclaycoreAcademic collaboration including joint thesis supervision with N. Pavloff (rapporteur) and participation in doctoral juries and research evaluation committees.
- Université de BordeauxcoreResearch collaboration including C. Crespos and P. Larregaray (rapporteurs/membres) from Institut Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux (ICMCB), and joint thesis supervision.
- Université Paris-Saclay / IJCLabcoreCollaboration with Institut Jean Lamour (IJCLab) on protactinium research including joint thesis supervision with Claire Le Naour and Mélody Maloubier.
- Kavli Institute for Theoretical PhysicscoreInternational collaboration including Nature publication on coherent light revealing universal behavior with theoretical contributions to statistical physics research.
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)coreCollaboration with Mustapha Tlidi (ULB) on rogue waves in nonlinear optics research, published in Advances in Optics and Photonics.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Laboratoire PhLAM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Laboratoire Aimé Cotton (LAC): French public research laboratory (CNRS/Université Paris-Saclay) focused on atomic, molecular, and laser physics, including photonics, spectroscopy, and quantum optics. Closest French peer to PhLAM with overlapping research scope in light-matter interaction and dual-tutelle CNRS structure.
- Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (LKB): CNRS/ENS/SU/Collège de France joint research unit in Paris covering laser physics, quantum optics, atomic physics, and metrology. Highly comparable in mission (fundamental research in light-matter physics) and institutional status as a French UMR.
- LP2N - Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences: CNRS/Institut d'Optique graduate school lab focused on photonics, nonlinear optics, quantum information, and nanosciences in Bordeaux. Directly comparable in photonics research scope and CNRS/University joint-tutelle model.
- Institut d'Optique Graduate School (IOGS) / Laboratoire Charles Fabry: French grande école and CNRS-affiliated lab specializing in optics, photonics, lasers, and quantum engineering. Directly comparable in photonics research and doctoral training mission.
Broad incumbents
- Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ): Leading international research institute for quantum optics, laser physics, and cold atom research. Comparable research areas (BEC, attosecond physics, quantum information) at significantly larger scale and global visibility.
- JILA (University of Colorado Boulder): Premier US joint research institute (NIST/University of Colorado) covering atomic, molecular, and optical physics, including ultracold atoms, precision measurement, and quantum information. Closest US analog to PhLAM's research scope.
- ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences: Spain-based photonic sciences research center covering light-matter interaction, quantum photonics, and biophotonics with strong industry collaboration. Comparable research areas and similar technology-transfer emphasis.
Emerging players
- ETH Zurich Quantum Optics Group: Leading Swiss university research group in quantum optics, cold atom physics, and photonics. Comparable in specific research areas (BEC, quantum simulation, nonlinear optics) though embedded in a broader university rather than a standalone institute.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Laboratoire PhLAM social profiles
Digital presenceLaboratoire PhLAM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Laboratoire PhLAM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Laboratoire PhLAM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Laboratoire PhLAM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Laboratoire PhLAM
What does Laboratoire PhLAM do?
Laboratoire PhLAM is a public research laboratory (UMR 8523) under dual supervision of CNRS and the University of Lille that conducts fundamental and applied research in the physics of light-matter interaction across five specialized teams (Systèmes Quantiques, DYSCO, PCMT, Photonique, PMI). It provides doctoral and master's training, operates technology platforms (FiberTech Lille, CERLA, SAKURA HPC cluster), develops scientific instruments (SpiderMass, LITE), and transfers technology to industry through joint laboratories and startup spinoffs.
Is Laboratoire PhLAM a public or private company?
Laboratoire PhLAM is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Laboratoire PhLAM founded?
Laboratoire PhLAM was founded in 1998.
Where is Laboratoire PhLAM based?
Laboratoire PhLAM is headquartered in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France, in the Europe region.
How does Laboratoire PhLAM make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Research Funding is the primary driver. The others are ANR and European Research Grants, regional and Local Funding and valorization and Technology Transfer.
Who are Laboratoire PhLAM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Laboratoire Aimé Cotton (LAC), Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (LKB), LP2N - Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences and Institut d'Optique Graduate School (IOGS) / Laboratoire Charles Fabry. Broad incumbents are Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ), JILA (University of Colorado Boulder) and ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences. ETH Zurich Quantum Optics Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Laboratoire PhLAM have an API?
No public API is recorded for Laboratoire PhLAM.
What industry is Laboratoire PhLAM in?
Laboratoire PhLAM's product category is Public Research Laboratory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments, with a secondary code of IMAGAJAF, Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors). Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 8731.