Many new themes have appeared recently in the field of fundamental physics of quantum systems, like
quantum entanglement or
Bose–Einstein condensation in gases, which leads to a constant renewal of the research carried out in the laboratory. Presently its activity takes several forms: cold atoms (bosonic and fermionics systems), atom lasers, quantum fluids, atoms in solid helium; quantum optics, cavity quantum electrodynamics; quantum information and quantum theory of measurement; quantum chaos; high-precision measurements. These themes lead not only to a better understanding of fundamental phenomena, but also to important applications, like more precise atomic clocks, improvement of detectors based on atomic interferometry or new methods for biomedical imaging. The laboratory also has an important activity in the field of measurement of fundamental constants and tests of fundamental physical theories (quantum electrodynamics, gravitation, strong interaction). It holds records of precision in the measurement of certain fundamental constants. The LKB is also a leader in the PHARAO/ACES1 mission which will send into space a cold atomic clock of unprecedented accuracy to test Einstein's equations of gravitational frequency shift. == Director and former directors==