Institut de Física d'Altes Energies- IFAE

Severo Ochoa Excellence program
Through strategic actions we are reinforcing our leadership in fundamental physics and driving societal impact.
Particle Physics
Pushing the frontiers of knowledge by making precise measurements in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC.
High Energy Astrophysics
Addressing open questions through gamma-ray observations from the most energetic phenomena in the universe.
Observational Cosmology
Shedding light on the nature of the mysterious dark energy, responsible for the current accelerated expansion of the universe.
Neutrino Physics
Understanding the fundamental phenomena that produced the observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe.
Gravitational Waves
The beginning of a new era in the exploration of the universe.
Medical Imaging
Using our expertise with sophisticated radiation detectors to develop advanced medical imaging devices.
Quantum Computing Technologies
Achieving an advantage over conventional computers to solve problems which are ubiquitous in society.
From particles to the Cosmos
IFAE conducts experimental and theoretical research at the frontiers of fundamental physics.

Highlights

Highlight

Action! NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Begins the Greatest Cosmic Movie Ever Made

June 30, 2026

NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has officially begun the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year observing programme that will transform our view of the Universe. IFAE has contributed to the development of the telescope and participates in the scientific exploitation of the survey.

Highlight

Two large instrumented baffles installed in Virgo

June 19, 2026

Researchers and engineers from IFAE have successfully installed two large instrumented baffles in the Virgo gravitational-wave detector. The new systems provide a dedicated instrument for detector characterization and stray-light monitoring, marking the culmination of more than seven years of development work led by the IFAE gravitational-wave group.

Highlight

New quantum experiment overcomes major obstacle in search for dark matter and gravitational waves

June 17, 2026

Researchers in the AION collaboration have demonstrated a key technique that allows atom interferometers to overcome laser noise and recover extremely weak signals. The result marks an important step towards future quantum detectors capable of searching for dark matter and gravitational waves from the early Universe. ICREA researcher at IFAE Diego Blas participates in the collaboration.

The IFAE Severo Ochoa Program

Latest news, milestones, open positions and highlights from the IFAE Severo Ochoa Excellence Program.

Title
Severo Ochoa programme brings jazz, history and physics together in a sold-out public event
Description
The IFAE Severo Ochoa Visitor Program brings frontier physics closer to society through culture and dialogue
Date
Posted on: July 27, 2026

Title
IFAE launches the Severo Ochoa Proof of Concept programme
Description
The Severo Ochoa Proof of Concept (SOPoC) programme supports IFAE researchers in validating innovative early-stage ideas and generating the preliminary results needed to secure future competitive funding.
Date
Posted on: June 1, 2026

Title
First Severo Ochoa Research Visits Strengthen International Collaboration at IFAE
Description
The first researchers hosted through the IFAE Severo Ochoa Incoming Visitors Programme have completed successful research stays at the institute, strengthening international collaborations across particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.
Date
Posted on: April 15, 2026

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News

Outreach programmes

IFAE brings fundamental physics closer to young students through its 2026 summer programmes

July 23, 2026

Throughout June and July, IFAE welcomed around 100 secondary-school and university students through a series of educational and research programmes designed to bring young people closer to fundamental physics and scientific research.

New Member

New member in the QCT group

July 22, 2026

Maximiliano Gatto joined the Quantum Computing Technologies group at IFAE as a PhD student

New Member

New member in the Medical Physics group

July 16, 2026

Umi Clemente joined the Medical Physics group at IFAE as a PhD student

Testing

IFAE's Gamma-ray group completes SiPM irradiation campaign for space missions

July 10, 2026

The group successfully tested SiPM sensors under realistic irradiation conditions to assess their suitability for future space-based gamma-ray and cosmic-ray missions.

Event

IFAE's Severo Ochoa programme brings jazz, history and physics together in a sold-out public event

July 10, 2026

A sold-out audience of around 300 people gathered for ‘Sota l’eclipsi: jazz i física de l’univers’, an outreach event supported by IFAE’s Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence programme. Bringing together history, fundamental physics and live jazz, the evening explored how eclipses have transformed our understanding of the Universe while highlighting the dialogue between scientific discovery and artistic creation.

Aritst residency

George Mahashe completes his Platform Dalí residency at IFAE

July 1, 2026

Artist and researcher George Mahashe completed a month-long residency at IFAE, exploring connections between artistic practice, fundamental physics and scientific observation through the Platform Dalí programme.

Events

Education
MastercosmosBCN
Postgraduate Program in High Energy Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology
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Education
MMRES
Full-time one-year programme with highly flexible and personalised hands-on research training in a multidisciplinary research environment.
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Education
Master in Quantum Science & Technology
Aimed at graduates in Physics, Physical Engineering or equivalent degrees who want to continue specialization studies in Quantum Science and Technologies.
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