Pulsed magnetic fields in Toulouse have a history of over 30 years. In 2001 the LNCMP started its activity as an international user facility providing access to long-pulsed magnetic fields (>100ms) in the 40-60T range. More recently a 73T short pulse magnet system developed by the European ARMS-consortium has also been commissioned.
　The laboratory’s 10 magnet stations are operated by 15 permanent researchers and an equal number of technicians. All staff-members are involved in both in-house research and the support of external users, who are selected twice per year by an international board of referees.
　The laboratory is traditionally involved in solid state spectroscopy and disposes in particular of various setups for optical and quasi-optical experiments. More recently, a project aiming at the magneto-spectroscopy of diluted matter has been launched. Apart from the investigation and characterization of gases and liquids, one of the ultimate goals of this project is the verification of the magnetic birefringence of vacuum ? an effect, that represents one of the most important tests of quantum electrodynamics.   
　In the talk we will first give a broad overview over the LNCMP, its technical installations, projects and main research topics. The problem of the magnetic birefringence of vacuum will then be considered in more detail. Apart from an intuitive introduction into the quantum-electrodynamic interpretation of vacuum and its experimental properties, we will also discuss the practical impact of the proposed project on future magneto-spectroscopical studies of gases and liquids.