Facilities
The scientific programme plans to show the participants a wide spectrum of high profile scientific and academic facilities present in Pisa and Florence:
- The VIRGO site of the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO)
- The Italian National Research Council (CNR)
- The National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
- The European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS)
- The University of Pisa
- The University of Florence
- The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa
- The Galileo Museum in Florence
Alongside the lab tours, we’ll have a large number of seminars—just like in past editions. In particular, we will have deep dives into all the major research areas and experiments currently running at these facilities, plus discussions about what they mean for science as a whole. These sessions will give us a better understanding of the theory and real-world applications. It will undoubtedly be a rich experience.
The Universities
The University of Pisa is one of the oldest universities in Italy and Europe. Among others, Nobel Prize-winning physicists Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia studied there. It is consistently ranked among the world's best universities in its field. We will visit the laboratories of many affiliated institutions.
The University of Florence is the largest one in Tuscany. Its new department of Physics, placed in a scientific campus outside of the city, works closely with many research centres and institutions. Among its various research fields, a large group counducts studies in matter physics, in particular on biophotonics and quantum technologies.
The Laboratories
The European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS) is an international and interdisciplinary structure in Florence. The main research lines are atomic physics, photonics, physical chemistry and biophysics. At LENS, we will see how physicists collaborate with chemists, biologists, and engineers to shape light for scientific, industrial, and medical purposes. We will learn how to stop light using photonic crystals, explore how light is used to unveil the secrets of the brain, and study —or even create— new materials.
For over 70 years, the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) has been a powerhouse in nuclear and fundamental physics research. But its study field have broadened over time and it now partners on tons of other national and international projects too. The INFN is the perfect meeting point for experimental and theoretical physics. Inside the institute, you’ll find LABEC, a lab that uses nuclear techniques to study everything from environmental science to cultural heritage. We will visit the 3MV tandemaccelerator & MACHINA -both developed right here at LABEC -and see firsthandhow physics helps analyze air pollution and protect priceless artworks.
The National Institute of Optics (INO) is a cornerstone of CNR’s scientific network, with nearly a century of work in optics—spanning everything from quantum physics to cultural heritage preservation. During your visit to CNR-INO, you’ll get to explore the Dysprosium Lab, where researchers dive into the mind-bending world of quantum matter. Here, scientists work with strongly magnetic atoms to investigate a quantum phase at the boundary between superfluids and crystals- the supersolid. Researchers use precision laser beams to control the atoms’ motion and interactions. Strong magnetic fields are applied to trigger crystallization, nudging the system into the exotic supersolid regime.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy (DFA) at the University of Florence is a leading center for research and education. It covers theoretical and experimental physics and collaborates with international institutions and major scientific projects. Its research groups explore all fields of physics, from subnuclear particles to astrophysical objects, condensed matter, and photonics. During our visit, we will explore laboratories dedicated to light and its interaction with matter. Here, physicists investigate ultracold atoms, Bose-Einstein condensates, quantum states of light, quantum cryptography, and many other fascinating topics.
The Department of Physics at the University of Pisa is a renowned research and education point of reference. It hosts advanced laboratories dedicated to optics, photonics, and physics of matter. These facilities focus on cutting-edge research in quantum technologies, frontier photonics and electronics, nanomaterials, and the study of soft matter, biosystems, and complexity. The laboratories are equipped for the development of innovative devices, including lasers and detectors, and the synthesis and characterization of advanced optical materials crystals and optical fibers.
The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa is a prestigious public university specializing in applied sciences, social sciences, and experimental sciences. It offers elite education and cutting-edge research in different fields and collabrations with top international institutions in innovation and technological development. The Physics Laboratories host progressive research in optical communications: they explore nonlinear optical effects, WDM systems, and optical wireless technologies. During the visit, you will experience live demos showcasing visible light communication, indoor navigation with ceiling lamps and smartphones, and wireless data interfaces for spacecraft.
The Galileo Museum in Florence is a world-renowned institution dedicated to the history of science. It houses an extensive collection of scientific instruments from the Renaissance, including original artifacts from Galileo Galilei. During our visit, you’ll explore historical telescopes, astrolabes, and groundbreaking discoveries that shaped the evolution of modern science and scientific though.
