A Year Ago Today: Nobel Laureates Celebrate CEA-LIDYL’s Lasting Impact
One year ago today, on July 11, 2024, IOS member and Nobel Laureate Pierre Agostini returned to a place central to his scientific journey: the LIDYL laboratory at the CEA in Paris-Saclay, France.
Together, 2023 Nobel Laureates Pierre Agostini and Anne L’Huillier each presented a copy of their Nobel Medals to the LIDYL laboratory. The gesture recognized not only the pivotal role LIDYL played in their careers, but also the teams of researchers and staff who supported their groundbreaking work.
The event, attended by many members of the national and international physics community, including Nobel Laureates Serge Haroche and Gérard Mourou, was held in the newly renamed Agostini–L’Huillier conference room at LIDYL. It was the same room where, just prior, Anne presented Pierre with the Commander of the Legion of Honor, one of France’s highest distinctions.
During the ceremony, LIDYL Director Catalin Miron reflected on the lasting legacy of their work:
“Your gifts are a testament to the fantastic work you have done within our laboratory… It will serve as a remarkable material symbol of the immense intangible scientific heritage that you have passed down to us.”
Pierre’s time at LIDYL (1968 to 2002) included the first-ever measurement of attosecond laser pulses, a milestone that helped establish the field as we know it today. Anne’s earlier discovery of high-order harmonic generation at the same lab laid the foundation for generating those pulses.
We’re happy to reflect on this moment and the role LIDYL played in their journey. Pierre continues to contribute to the optical science community as a member of IOS at OSU, and we remain inspired by both his and Anne’s commitment to fundamental research, collaboration, and mentorship.
What is the Institute for Optical Science?
The Institute for Optical Science is a community of multidisciplinary researchers studying the fundamental properties of light and harnessing these properties in practical applications for significant benefit to society.
