Photonics constitutes a strong research line at C2N, with about 180 researchers, including 45 permanent staff (CNRS researchers, University Paris-Saclay and University of Paris assistant professors and professors), PhD students and Post-docs. At the European level, C2N is one of the major players in this field of photonics.

The Department of Photonics at C2N encompasses a broad spectrum of research topics covering the continuum from fundamental research to the development of innovative photonic devices. Light-matter interaction, ultimate light confinement at the nanoscale, photonic integration, optoelectronics, nonlinear and quantum optics are at the core of the research developed in the department. These activities take advantage from a tight synergy with the first rank technological facilities available at C2N. They cover a wide range of applications, including quantum engineering, quantum information, optical communications and interconnects, optical signal processing, photovoltaics, light sources and photo-detectors and related to crucial challenges in the domains of energy, information and communication, security, aerospace, health and automotive.