CEA-Irfu

About CEA-Irfu

Exploring the fundamental laws of the Universe, from the infinitely small to the infinitely large. Based at the CEA Paris-Saclay center and in Caen, the Institute of Research into the Fundamental Laws of the Universe (IRFU) combines theory, experimentation, engineering, and data analysis. Thanks to its size and the strong integration of its teams, Irfu covers the entire research chain, from idea to scientific exploitation. Our research focuses on the structure and evolution of the Universe, nuclear matter, elementary constituents and symmetries, as well as detection systems, accelerators and cryomagnetic systems, simulation, and big data processing. As part of major international collaborations, Irfu designs and builds state-of-the-art instruments for accelerators and ground-based and space observatories, in close partnership with industry. The technologies developed at IRFU also contribute to applications and infrastructures of societal interest, particularly in the fields of health (imaging, MRI magnets), energy (fusion), and neutron and light sources. IRFU in figures: ➡️ Over 1,000 employees and collaborators (representing more than 50 nationalities), two-thirds of whom are permanent staff, ~100 PhD students, ~150 apprentices and interns, 📑 ~1,000 annual publications. Credits: CEA, ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team, E. Kraaikamp (ROB), CEA/R. Guittet, Cern, N. Krief/CEA