Programas de investigación

Quantum mechanics and general relativity are the two great theoretical bases that explain the fundamental elements of matter and, ultimately, the Universe. But they have a major flaw, which has not yet been resolved: they are incompatible with each other. So what are the alternatives? String theory is one of the proposals that tries to build a consistent framework for quantum gravity, providing useful tools to move towards a quantum structure of space-time.

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory that describes the strong nuclear force, one of the four fundamental interactions. To understand it better, QCD needs to be studied under extreme temperature and density conditions, such as those that existed microseconds after the Big Bang.

The Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment at CERN focuses on finding out why matter prevails over antimatter in the universe via the bottom quark (b quark). Among other things, this involves studying the violation of CP (charge parity) symmetry. In recent years, the LHCb experiment has undergone a complete upgrade, which is expected to lead to significant advances in the coming years.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, huge breakthroughs have been made in the field of physics. But many mysteries are still waiting to be revealed. In astrophysics and cosmology, dark matter is one of the great unknowns that remains today. It escapes the Standard Model, and is estimated to account for more than 80% of the matter that exists in the entire Universe. However, we can only “see” it through the gravitational effects it causes, as it does not emit any electromagnetic radiation.

The first experimental detection of gravitational waves, obtained by the LIGO collaboration in 2015, is one of the great scientific milestones of the 21st century. These ripples in space-time are caused by some of the most violent cosmic phenomena, such as the mergers of black holes and neutron stars or supernova explosions. In this way, these events contribute to validate the theory of general relativity put forward by Einstein in 1915.

We are exposed to a constant ‘bombardment’ of cosmic rays, which impact with us at near-light speeds. Approximately at a frequency of one ray per second on a surface like the palm of your hand. Luckily, these are harmless radiations, but fascinating because they come from far, far away in the universe.

The IGFAE was one of the promoters of the construction of the Laser Acceleration Laboratory for Applications (L2A2), a USC research infrastructure where new technologies and applications of laser-plasma acceleration are being developed. Within this research programme, the Institute's staff is focused on the medical applications of this particle acceleration technique.

The study of the structure of exotic and therefore unstable nuclei requires robust experimental programmes to recreate the conditions necessary for their observation. In other words, to provoke the nuclear reactions necessary for their appearance.