About

I am a CNRS researcher (Directeur de recherche) in nanophononics and nanoacoustics and Scientific Delegate for CNRS European Strategy within the Direction Europe et International (DEI).

My professional activities therefore develop along two distinct but complementary dimensions.

As a scientist, I investigate how acoustic phonons and mechanical vibrations can be generated, manipulated, confined and detected at the nanoscale. My research spans nanophononics, nanoacoustics, optomechanics, topological nanophononics and reconfigurable acoustic systems.

Alongside my scientific activity, I contribute to the European strategy of the CNRS: its positioning and influence in the European Research Area, its participation in European programmes, the mechanisms supporting scientists engaging in European projects, and the preparation of CNRS for the future European Framework Programme.

I have experienced the European research ecosystem from several perspectives: as an active scientist, as the recipient of both an ERC Starting Grant and an ERC Consolidator Grant, as an evaluator and today through my institutional responsibilities within CNRS.

---

Science

Controlling sound at the nanoscale

My scientific research focuses on nanophononics: the study and control of acoustic phonons at nanometric scales.

Just as photonics provides tools to generate, manipulate and detect light, nanophononics seeks to develop similar capabilities for acoustic and mechanical excitations.

Our research explores how phonons can be generated, confined, routed, manipulated and detected in engineered nanostructures, particularly at GHz and THz frequencies.

The work lies at the intersection of acoustics, nanomechanics, photonics and condensed-matter physics, with potential connections to emerging quantum technologies.

Nanophononics & Nanoacoustics

At nanometric dimensions, acoustic waves can interact strongly with the geometry and physical properties of engineered structures.

We design and investigate nanoscale systems in which these interactions can be used to control the propagation and confinement of phonons.

The objective is both fundamental — understanding acoustic excitations at these scales — and technological: developing new concepts for manipulating sound and mechanical vibrations in nanostructures.

Topological Nanophononics

Topological concepts offer new approaches for controlling waves and their propagation.

We investigate how these concepts can be implemented in nanophononic structures to create and manipulate acoustic states with unusual localization and transport properties.

Optomechanics & Phonon–Photon Interactions

Nanostructures provide unique environments in which optical and mechanical excitations can interact.

We study these interactions to understand how light can be used to generate, probe and manipulate acoustic phonons — and how mechanical excitations can, in turn, affect optical systems.

Reconfigurable Nanoacoustics

Most nanophononic structures acquire fixed properties during fabrication.

We are interested in going beyond this limitation by developing systems whose acoustic behaviour can be modified after fabrication.

The long-term objective is to explore reconfigurable and potentially programmable nanophononic systems.

Research Vision

Can we control sound as precisely as we control light?

Photonics has transformed our ability to generate, manipulate, transmit and detect photons.

A central question driving my research is whether a comparable degree of control can be achieved for phonons.

This means developing a toolbox capable of generating, routing, confining, manipulating and detecting mechanical excitations at the nanoscale, and understanding how they interact with photons and other physical degrees of freedom.