The main objective of the LPAS is to develop realistic models capable to simulate our atmosphere in the Planetary Boundary Layer. These models will finally be used to predict the consequences of the human activities on our atmosphere, and also will help to design rational air pollution abatement strategies.

As a second task in the LPAS and in order to check the accuracy of such models, experimental in situ measurements are performed (with local and with 3D measurements by LIDAR), and used as input and boundary conditions to initiate the model, as well as for intercomparaison between predictive and experimental results.

Chemical reactions on the surface of aerosols and atmospheric particles such as ices, soot, salt and mineral dust are recognized to have a large influence on atmospheric composition and structure. Laboratory experiments on model substrates are performed in order to gain a better understanding of the kinetics mechanisms of these atmospherically relevant reactions.

As the LPAS has for long time being involved in different type of laser applications studies (chemical kinetics, microelectronics etc.), an important effort is today devoted to medical applications, in particular in the field of phototherapy and photodetection of cancer (photomedicine).