Internationally recognized as an expert in quantum and non-linear optics, Jacqueline Bloch is exploring the ultimate light matter coupling in semiconductor nanostructures. Hired in 1994 as a permanent CNRS researcher (CR) at the Microstructure and Microelectronic Laboratory (L2M), she initiated experimental research on semiconductor microcavities. She is particularly interested in the strong coupling regime between light and matter, a regime which gives rise to the formation of hybrid quasi-particles named cavity polaritons. In 2008, her pioneering results on polariton condensation in microstructures, opened the way to the investigation of these quantum fluids of light in microstructures sculpted at the micron scale thanks to the technological facilities available in the clean room of her laboratory.

Since then, her career has been laden with a series of original and spectacular achievements: with her research group she has studied various non-linear physical phenomena, such as superfluidity, frustrated systems, topology or quantum phase transition in open systems. Promoted as Research Director in 2011, she is now contributing to the organization of the new Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies (C2N) where she is the co-director of the Photonics Department. Hired in 2015 as Professor “Chargée de cours” at Ecole Polytechnique Physics Department, she is awarded the same year the prestigious Jean Ricard Prize of the French Physical Society.

Photo: Cyril Fresillon CNRS Phototheque