The laboratory

CPPM, the Marseille Particle Physics Centre is a Joint Research Unit (UMR 7346). The laboratory is part of the Institut national de physique nucléaire et de physique des particules (IN2P3), under the joint supervision of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille University.

The research conducted at CPPM is at the crossroads of two infinites; ranging from the study of the elementary components of matter - the infinitely small - to the exploration of the cosmos - the infinitely large. To follow these we design and build state-of-the-art detector systems, often required to operate under extreme conditions: deep under the sea, in space or underground. Most of our research is carried out within leading international scientific collaborations and our contributions are recognized worldwide. We participate in the training of young people for research careers, directly through our research programs and also through their university education. Our laboratory is also very active in promoting technological developments resulting from its research.

All the CPPM activities are based on values of ethics, deontology and integrity, with a focus on science and society. CPPM is committed to conducting research within the framework of open science, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and preserving the environment.

In figures

• 60 foreign visitors and trainees per year

• 20 laboratories with which we collaborate through academic agreements, i.e. more than 15 different countries

• 15 symposia each year, attracting around 500 researchers

• 1983 year of creation of the CPPM

• 4500 the number of square metres of our building, located in the heart of the Calanques of Luminy Natural Park

Our research axes

We seek to understand the Universe and its composition through laboratory experiments and observations of often violent celestial phenomena. Our research is aligned along three main axes:

• Particle physics: of the infinitely small, to identify the most basic constituents of matter, measure their properties and understand their interactions
• Astroparticle physics: the infinitely large seen through the infinitely small: studying the most violent phenomena in the Universe to look for the origins of very high energy cosmic rays and radiation
• Observational cosmology: direct studies of the infinitely large to determine and understand the history of the Universe, its origins, evolution and the nature of its constituents

In addition to these three main axes of fundamental research leading to frontiers of scientific and associated technology, we are strongly committed to interdisciplinary themes and their societal applications, such as biomedical imaging, modern intensive computing and studies of the deep-sea environment.

Dedicated instrumentation

We contribute to several very large multinational infrastructures essential to today's research. We are committed to many international collaborations: some having more than 3,000 collaborators. Examples include large experiments (ATLAS and LHCb) operating at the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider) in Geneva, the French "Grille" national computing infrastructure, and the CTA and LSST terrestrial telescopes. In addition CPPM is a major participant in the ANTARES and KM3NeT deep sea neutrino telescope collaborations, serving as the host laboratory for the ANTARES infrastructure and the KM3NeT western site, both located at a depth of around 2400m near Toulon. We are also involved in the construction of major elements of the Euclid space telescope satellite, which is partly supported by CNES and ESA (the French and European space agencies).

From a technological point of view, these contributions require cutting edge know-how developed by CPPM experts in the fields of electronics, mechanics, computer science and instrumentation. Our highly qualified staff design and build innovative tools and are nationally and internationally recognized for their technological accomplishments. The laboratory benefits from a state-of-the-art infrastructure: including experimental areas located within clean rooms as well as a modern, well-equipped mechanical workshop and a large assembly hall with overhead crane facilities.

Our relations with society & dissemination of knowledge

We are committed to sharing knowledge, participating in teaching activities and the dissemination of scientific culture to highlight French research. In addition we continue to build close links with regional industrial competitiveness clusters. In this way technological developments made at CPPM in the context of fundamental research are aimed wherever possible - following evolution of the technology from the fundamental to the application - to be transferred into the social and economic world. In the context of its social responsibility, the CPPM is involved in a transition process to combine its research activities with climate and environmental action. A number of steps are being taken in this direction.

Our latest activity reports

You can find 2023 activity report here 2023 activity report

You can find 2022 activity report here 2022 activity report

You can find 2021 activity report here 2021 activity report

You can find 2020 activity report here 2020 activity report

You can find 2019 activity report here 2019 activity report

• Cristinel Diaconu, director
• Bérénice Fatela, director assistant
• Marie-Thérèse Bechier-Donel, secretary-general
• Thierry Mouthuy, technical director

Organisation chart of CPPM (PDF)

Council of Unit (2024-2028)

President: C. Diaconu

Secretary: V. Roux

Elected members: O. Angelini, J. Cogan, C. Dupré-Rachédi, D. Laugier, J-P. Logier, Ch. Morel, A. Pisani, I. Richer, J. Serrano, T. Weicherding

Nominated members: P. Breugnon, J. Busto, M. Damoiseaux, D. Hoffmann, T. Theveneaux-Pelzer, D. Vom Bruch

Elected PhD: M-S. Carrasco

Invited members: M.-T. Donel (Administrative Director), Th. Mouthuy (Technical Director), S. Théraube (Prevention Assistant)

Scientific Council (2021-2024)

President: C. Vallée

Secretary: E. Petit

Laboratory Director: C. Diaconu

Elected members: P. Barrillon, D. Dornic, S. Escoffier, E. Petit, A. Poluektov

Nominated members: R. Le Gac, C. Vallée

External members: Nelson Christensen (OCA), Caroline Collard (IPHC), Christophe Grojean (Desy), Gaia Lanfranchi (Frascati/INFN), Veronique Puill (IJCLAB), Mathieu Tristram (IJCLab)

Invited members: S. Beurthey (Mechanics Department), M.-T. Donel (Administrative Director), P. Pangaud (Electronics Department), A.Secroun (Computing and Instrumentation department), Th. Mouthuy (Technical Director)

Engineers and Technicians Committee (2024-2028)

President: C. Diaconu

Elected members : D. Fougeron, E. Garçon, A. Porta, A. Rivière, E. Vigeolas

Nominated members: P. Barrillon, E. Le Guirriec, J. Laurence

Ex-officio members: S. Beurthey, M.-T. Donel, Th. Mouthuy, P. Pangaud, A. Secroun

Health and Safety Committee (2024-2028)

President: C. Diaconu

Elected members: Ph. Lagier, D. Laugier, J. Laurence, A. Porta, A. Rivière

Ex-officio members: M.-T. Donel, S. Théraube, P. Keller, Th. Mouthuy

Expert invited members: J. Aubray (Wealth and Logistics Department), E. Garçon (Laser Safety Referee), F. Gallo (Chemical Risk Manager), F.Gensolen (first-aid equipment management), A. Rivière (Information Systems Security Officer), J. Aubray (Waste Management Officer) and other expert members for specific risks, as defined in § 2.1.4 of the Internal Rules

Representatives of the governing bodies: Prevention and Safety Engineer, Prevention Doctors, IN2P3 Radiation Protection Inspector

Link to the CPPM directory.

One CPPM PhD student is preparing his thesis with co-financing from the South Region.