Physics– PHY

The Physics scientific domain is tasked with designing and producing measurement and observation resources for aerospace applications, both defense and civil. Its activity covers the entire range from fundamental components up to systems integrated in their environment. These resources need to meet the challenges presented by observation, detection, identification and measurement that are as non-intrusive as possible, at ever-longer distances, more rapidly, and with continually-enhanced resolution and experimental robustness, in order to better understand the physics at work in the observed phenomena.

The researchers in the Physics domain work in the Optics and associated techniques department (DOTA), the Electromagnetism and radar department (DEMR) and the Physics, instrumentation and space department (DPHY). Through their activity, these researchers contribute in this way to the most recent scientific progress in the fields of high potential technologies (nanotechnologies, micro- and nano-electronics, photonics), signal and data processing, and quantum technologies (photodetectors, coherent sources, cold atom systems, etc.).

 

We support strategic developments by laying the groundwork for new market opportunities (safety, environment), anticipating electromagnetic and optronics warfare, and exploring the potential offered by the increasing use of drones and nanosatellites.

 

Scientific topics of the Physics domain

The PHY domain covers 22 scientific topics spread across 3 departments of ONERA.

Topics	Scientific Department	References (CNU - CoNRS)
Electromagnetic compatibility	DEMR	63 - 8, 6
Radar imaging and remote detection	DEMR	63 - 8, 6
Propagation and radio communications	DEMR	63 - 8, 6
Systems and technologies for radar and electronic warfare	DEMR	63 - 8
Signal processing for radar and electronic warfare	DEMR	63 - 8, 6
Antennas, microwave materials and stealth technology	DEMR	63 - 8, 3
Simulation of the electromagnetic scene	DEMR	63 - 8
High-performance space accelerometry	DPHY	63, 28 - 3
Cold-atom inertial sensors	DPHY	63 - 4
Electrostatic charges and discharges on satellites	DPHY	63, 28 - 3
Effects of the radiative aerospace environment on onboard systems	DPHY	63, 28 - 3
Interaction of the space environment with materials	DPHY	63, 28 - 3
Lightning, plasma and electric thrusters	DPHY	63 - 4
Instrumentation and metrology via laser spectroscopy	DPHY	30, 63 - 4, 8
Micro/nano-systems (MEMS/NEMS) and miniature inertial sensors	DPHY	63 - 3
Space environment models and measurements	DPHY	63, 28 - 19, 3
Active and passive remote detection	DOTA	63 - 4
Wave surface control, adaptive optics	DOTA	30 - 4, 5
Optoelectronics: photo detection and nanophotonics	DOTA	63 - 3, 4, 8
Fiber lasers, lidars and 3D imagers	DOTA	30, 63 - 4
Optical sensors and hyperspectral imagers	DOTA	30 - 4
Environment and signatures for optronic sensors	DOTA	30 - 4, 5

 

ElectroMagnetism and Radar (DEMR)

Optics and Associated Techniques (DOTA)

Physis Instrumentation Environment Space (DPHY)