The ULT team performs condensed matter experiments down to the microkelvin temperature range. We study model systems and develop the state-of-art techniques required by these demanding experiments, building on the capabilities of the Néel laboratory. The physics involved concerns quantum fluids, amorphous matter and fundamental aspects of microwave opto-nano-mechanics. The group is part of the European Microkelvin Platform, a “laboratory without walls” federating ultra-low temperature physics at the European level.
![]() |
WebMaster: E.C. 2020 |
QFS. Neutron scattering, NMR. Vibrating wires.
Glasses at low T.
MEMS and NEMS.
Cryogenics down to 100 µK.
Microwave optomechanics. NEMS and MEMS drive/detection.
As part of its duties, the ULT group is organizing Schools & Conferences over the years. The list can be found below, with extra information (use the links) like list of contributors/participants, and some available talks. A regular training session is the European Advanced Cryogenics School, which is organised today in the framework of the European Microkelvin Collaboration (EMP).
Cryocourse 2021 European Advanced Cryogenics School, Grenoble 2021
ULT 2014 Frontiers of low temperature physics, Bariloche (LT27 satellite conference)
Cryocourse 2013 European Advanced Cryogenics School, Grenoble 2013
Cryocourse 2011 European Advanced Cryogenics School, Grenoble 2011
Quantum Fluids and Solids QFS 2010 International Conference, Grenoble 2010
Cryocourse 2007 European Advanced Cryogenics School, Grenoble 2007
Workshop on Dark Matter Search and Related Topics Workshop JSPS-CNRS Collaboration, Grenoble 2007
Disorder and topological defects, a Helium primer COSLAB Workshop, Chamrousse 2004
Topological defects and the non-equilibrium dynamics of symmetry breaking phase transitions ESF Network and Winter school, Les Houches 1999
Workshop on the formation of topological defects ESF Network, Grenoble 1997
Within our Host Institution CNRS, our research is funded essentially by two main sources: these Funding Agencies are National (ANR), and mostly at the European level (ERC). Beyond the StG and CoG grants the group received, the ULT team is part of a European Infrastructure that federates Ultra-Low temperature physics (and technologies) at the European level.
ERC StG UNIGLASS (2017-2023): This European Starting grant is focused on the enigmatic universality found in low temperature properties of amorphous materials. The ultimate aim of this project is to be able to manipulate the quantum state of single low-energy states that are supposed to be at the origin of the unique properties of glasses (so-called Two-Level Systems).
H2020 infrastructure EMP (2019-2023): This is the Infrastructure grant that takes over Microkelvin (see below). The consortium is made of 17 partners, among which are 8 universities, 3 associated institutes, and 6 private companies. The eight European laboratories at the core of EMP all possess the capabilities to reach sub-milliKelvin temperatures; they are custodians of these technologies in Europe.
ERC CoG ULT-NEMS (2014-2021): In this Consolidator grant, following the ANR QNM project, the focus is on quantum properties probed by nano-mechancial resonators cooled down to ultra-low temperatures. Two aspects are dealt with: the microscopic scale (with elementary excitations from the surrounding baths that can couple to the mode under study), and the macroscopic one questioning basic concepts of Macroscopic Quantum Mechanics.
FRP7 Microkelvin (2009-2013): Infrastructure grant that links together all ultra-low temperature laboratories from Europe. CNRS Grenoble was one of the 3 founders of this consortium. This activity has been prolongated through EMP (see above).
ANR MajoranaPRO (2013-2018): ANR project aiming at the study of exotic excitations present in superfluid 3He in confined conditions (so-called bound states). In particular, within the B-phase of the superfluid, these states are theoretically demonstrated to be Majorana (quasi-)particles.
ANR QNM (2010-2014): This ANR grant enabled to launch the ultra-cold MEMS and NEMS activity within the ULT team. The activity continued then within the ERC ULT-NEMS (see above).
ANR High-Q Fermions (2010-2014): This ANR research project aimed at studying elementary excitations in liquid helium with large Q wave-vector, by means of neutron spectroscopy.
ANR ULTIMA (2005-2008): ANR funded research project that evaluated the capabilities of 3He superfluid bolometers for the search of cold dark matter.
Experimental results published within the EMP consortium are published within green or gold open access. The data published is also made freely available to the interested readers:
To access these data, follow this link.
Cryogenics Database.
Position type: Stages Master-2 & Thèse
Contact: Andrew Fefferman - 04.76.88.90.92
The cross-over from atomic-size quantum objects to macroscopic classical systems is remains puzzling. We know that macroscopic quantum states exist (e.g. the quantum coherence of the current state in a superconducting loop), but our knowledge is essentially limited to electromagnetic degrees of freedom. Quantum states of moving objects have undergone relatively little experimental study. One of the goals of our research group, to which the intern would contribute, is cooling a glass nanomechanical resonator to the microkelvin range, so that its fundamental mode reaches the quantum ground state. This is essential for probing low energy excitations present in the amorphous lattice of the resonator.
Person in charge: Eddy COLLIN
Ilya GOLOKOLENOV
Personnel Chercheur - CNRS
Office: E-405
Referent: Eddy COLLIN