Your contact : Laurence Soldermann
l.soldermann@provence-promotion.fr


Provence, land of light

The first film in the world was shot in La Ciotat by the Lumière brothers. "Lumière" is also the French word for "light"; and it is the light of Provence which has inspired so many artists and photographers to works of genius. Our present bears witness to this past. Today, the region is responsible for 40% of all French space and astronomy research. Our industries have acquired expertise in the fields of extreme mirrors, precision lithography, and surface treatment. And many small and medium-sized companies specialise in optical instrumentation.

Researchers and industrialists are already at work on the solutions of the future: the new generation of components (MOEMS), photonic process and opto-electronic systems, visionics, advanced image processing.

Industry of the 3rd Millennium

Optics, electro-optics, photonics... Over the space of a few years, the traditional sector of optics has produced its share of innovation. The laser was invented less than 40 years ago. Fibre optics is stretching out its domain. Opto-electromechanical microsystems (MOEMS) are the forerunners of a new technology which will be as revolutionary as electronics. Image processing is beginning to play a part in every sector. The energy industry is finding alternative resources.

These innovations are changing our everyday life. They will result in the creation of new industries and fields of expertise. Few regions possess a chain of coherence combining training, research, high-tech businesses and an employment basin with a rich potential of systems integrators and assemblers of complex systems. POPsud is the dynamic force behind the first optical pole in the Mediterranean.

A high level of interaction between research and industry

The Southern Optics and Electro-optics Pole (POPsud) strengthens relations and partnerships between companies, research laboratories and training organisms in the field of optics, electro-optics and image processing.

Created with the support of the Universities, the CNRS, the CEA, the IFREMER, the INRIA, the State and local Councils, the Association today brings together the regional actors in this sector to form a European cluster.

A dynamic structure

The POP sud initiative comes in the context of the following developments :

- a technology of the 21st century
- the potential of the region, with its exceptional wealth of laboratories and its structure of innovative and high-performance small and medium-sized companies
- the European and international position of the Provence pole.

A network at the service of development

Pursuing its policy of exchange and information, POPsud has built up a network to serve and promote regional development. Among the initiatives are a web site, newsletter, data bank, technological monitoring, meetings, theme days, and participation in and organisation of national and international events.

R&D and transfer activities

At the instigation of POPsud, 17 projects of shared scientific and technical equipment have been created in common by thirty companies and twelve laboratories.

International connections

Among its relations with other clusters, the association has forged particularly strong links of exchange with Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

Diversified expertise and high development potential

The Southern Optics and Electro-optics Pole is characterised by its wide-ranging scope of expertise and its great capacity for innovation.

In a sector undergoing rapid technological change with the development of products often up until now destined for the defence industries (aeronautics, space, naval), the opportunities are immense. The high levels of investment in R&D and transfers of technology between centres of expertise and operators bear witness to this fact.

A structure of small and medium-sized companies in full light

Provence, with fifty small and medium-sized companies in the sector, represents one of the most important regions in France in terms of optics, electro-optics and image processing, with leading positions in the fields of aerospace, microtechnology, medicine, telecommunications, energy and industrial equipment.

SESO

Recognised as being one of the world leaders in X-ray mirror technology, this company based in Aix en Provence designs and industrialises opto-mechanical and electro-optical systems. At present it is preparing for the turning point in EUV lithography.
www.seso.com

CYBERNETIX

Located in the Technopole of Château-Gombert (Marseilles), this company’s activities lie in the field of innovative engineering and the production of industrial equipment (semi-conductors, microchip cards, postal sorting, robotics). Its vision/metrology department is specialised notably in real-time control and measurement in difficult environmental conditions.
www.cybernetix.fr

IBS

The customers of this specialist in customised ionic implantation include the biggest manufacturers of microelectronic components. It has created Silios Technologies, located in the Rousset Industrial Zone, which specialises in the integration of optical circuits using proprietary technology.
www.ion-beam-services.fr

Among the fifty or so companies in the optics, electro-optics and image processing sector in Provence: Bertin Technologies develops industrial electro-optics and visionics systems, Vegatec specialises in ultra-high vacuum and Test Innovation technologies in the design and manufacture of special equipment. The group High Wave, by taking over the company Chakti, has set up in Aubagne to produce built-in components for its optical amplifiers and multiplexers, Efer is working on the miniaturisation of endoscopic video and the integration of measurement processes, Synapsis is perfecting its apparatus for the operational investigation of vertigo, Sopro, its medical exploration equipment and Chromasys, its on-line colour testing. Other examples include Light Technologies, in the field of opto-electronic design using diodes and Opal, in infrared optics. Stil operates in the field in instrumental optics, Sageis in opto-electronics and Simag in perfecting a product for the development of intelligent cameras.

The aerospace industry, an important consumer of optical components, is present in the shape of Eurocopter, Dassault Aviation and Alcatel Space, which are all international leaders.

Research : laboratories of international renown

In the region, more than 300 researchers are working directly in the optics, electro-optics and image processing sector. The 21 listed public laboratories enjoy international reputations and display great interest in the technological enhancement of the value of their work.

- The 85 members of the Fresnel Marseilles Institute cover scientific fields of fundamental, applied and technological character. This Mixed Research Unit is at the forefront of research into phonic crystal and microcavity fibres, laser damage and light diffusion, active and diffused polarimetric imaging, the multidimensional analysis of random signals, micro-optics, integrated optics and bio-photonics, the localisation of hidden objects and electromagnetic sensor imaging, and optical filtering using multilayer interference systems.

- The TECSEN laboratory, with around sixty researchers, specialises in Materials Science: creation, transformation and characterisation. Among other things, it is working on thin-layer metallurgy in the field of opto-electronics, optics, electronics and solar energy.

- CP2M is a technological platform at the forefront of Electronic Microscopy technology. Its resources enable it to locate, sample and analyse zones on different scales, micro-, meso- and manometric, in the field of steel metallurgy, embrittlement by liquid metals, microelectronics, materials for optics and the environment.

- The Marseilles Astrophysics Laboratory is a new unit which brings together the Marseilles Observatory and the Marseilles Astrophysics Laboratory. This important research centre (150 researchers and engineers) combines fundamental research in astronomy with technological research in instrumentation. It is working on national and international projects meeting the specifications of space agencies.

- The Lasers Plasmas and Photonic Processes Laboratory (LP3) studies high power laser sources and laser-matter interactions over nano-second and femto-second periods. Together with the Condensed State Physics Group, LP3 has created an interdisciplinary platform in the Luminy pole, working on the applications of impulsed lasers.

- Created in 1999, the purpose of the Provence Materials and Microelectronics Laboratory is to discover original ideas and applications in the field of the nano- and micro-electronics of the future. Its different teams (130 people) benefit from a high level of interdisciplinarity.

- The Organic Chemistry and Molecular Materials Laboratory (CNRS/University of the Mediterranean) in Luminy, is working on post-silicon research. From photochromic dyes, its researchers are exploring the paths of new organic micro-electronic components.

- Onera is the leading French actor in the field of aeronautic and space research. Based in Salon de Provence, it is carrying out in-flight studies and research into the pilot-plane environment when confronted with electromagnetic, optical and communication phenomena.

- Claire is the Regional Technological Centre specialising in industrial applications of high power lasers.

- Several departments within the CEA Cadarache are working in the domain of optics and photonics. Its photovoltaic technology laboratory and above all its teams around Tore Supra (340 people) are well-placed to host the largest scientific project on fusion: ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) represents the possible source of future energy production.

A site dedicated to industrial innovation: the Marseilles-Provence Technopole in Château Gombert

1st French site dedicated to energetic mechanics, optics-photonics and astronomy, the Marseilles-Provence Technopole provides a system of reception to accompany a business through all the stages of its development, from innovation and creation of new products through to industrial production.

Key figures for the Technopole

- 110 companies (optics-photonics, automation, micro-electronics, computing, etc.)
- 2850 private and public sector jobs
- 180 hectares including 70 for the reception of businesses and laboratories
- 150,000 m² of buildings
- 3300 students in 6 engineering colleges and 2 university centres
- Research laboratories
- 1 inter-university incubator: Impulse
- 1 incubator of technological businesses: Marseille Innovation
- 1 large centre for conferences and congresses
- frequented daily by more than 6,000 people
- 20 minutes from the Marseilles Provence international airport, 15 minutes from the TGV (high-speed train) station, close to the A7 and A8 motorways.

Training: a channel of excellence

The Marseilles National College of Physics (ENSPM) is one of the leading national higher education establishments in the field of optics. Besides the diploma of engineer with option in optics, it also awards a post-graduate diploma in Image and Signal Optics and, more recently, the first European Master of Sciences in Optics through a European partnership (Europtics). With a total of five post-graduate diploma courses in the field of optics, this is one of the best-placed regions. Intermediate levels are also well-represented with a BTS (vocational training certificate) in instrumental optics and a DUT in Physics Measurements in the St Jérôme IUT (technical institute).