BIYSC project category: Physics

The participants will have the opportunity to build a muon detector using plastic scintillators and silicon photomultipliers. The students will go through the basics of particle detection and will have the chance to understand what the role of each component in the detector is. They will figure out how we can catch the particles we want to observe and reject those we want to avoid. They will learn about light detection, properties of materials, and readout electronics working hand by hand with IFAE researchers.

Only when we understand how the detector work in detail we can then go out and ask nature about the behavior of cosmic rays. Only then we can think of other applications. Building and understanding detectors are crucial to making experiments with them. And to trigger your imagination.

The detector we are going to build is meant to be portable so that it can be taken outside and see what it can tell us about everyday life. The students will also design and perform experiments to understand the behavior of muons and cosmic rays in the atmosphere.

Come and build your own muon detector and learn how particles interact with matter, how they are created and destroyed in the atmosphere, what is a particle shower, and how particle detectors work. Be an experimental physicist: design your setup, answer your questions, ask new ones.

Learning objectives

• Understand the process of building a detector;
• Understand the uses and knowledge behind the cosmic rays;
• Discover the mysteries that an astrophysicist is trying to solve about cosmic rays;
• Determine the principles of particle detection and their use to detect them.

Matching profiles

Students interested in particle physics or astrophysics. Students willing to spend time in the lab doing experimental work with a clear goal but not a unique path to achieve it. It would be nice to have a working group with a wide range of skills & interests: some with computing skills, some with experimental & electronic interests, some more inclined to theory. Knowing how to work in a group is a must.

Required materials

A laptop would help but it is not required.

The aim of the project is to engage students in the fascinating world of quantum phenomena. Participants will explore the principles behind quantum entanglement and superposition from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints.

Quantum entanglement challenges classical intuitions about the nature of reality and holds significant implications for technology and fundamental physics. Entangled particles, even when separated by large distances, instantaneously influence each other’s states. This phenomenon has potential applications in quantum computing, cryptography, and quantum communications. Understanding and harnessing quantum entanglement not only deepens our comprehension of quantum mechanics but also opens doors to revolutionary advancements in information processing and secure communication technologies.

Students will learn and experiment on the following topics:

• Introduction to basic mathematical concepts behind quantum mechanics.
• Basics of computer programming (specifically in python).
• Theoretical introduction to fundamental concepts of physics and quantum mechanics, including the superposition principle, the uncertainty principle, polarization, quantum entanglement, Bell Inequalities, etc.
• Experimental exploration of the previously mentioned concepts using computer simulations of quantum systems.
• Building the experimental set-up: the Mach–Zehnder interferometer. This experiment will allow participants to determine the relative phase shift variations between two collimated laser beams and test quantum properties like superposition or quantum entanglement.
• Programming a computer simulation that allows you to reproduce the results of a Bell test.
• Attending an advanced experimental demonstration of the Bell Inequalities using sources of entangled photons.
• Analyzing the results obtained from the previous demonstration.
• Presenting the results to the rest of the team.

During their time at ICCUB, students will also have the time to discover other quantum technologies and the research that is going on at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences.

We have designed the program for a diverse group of people, with different levels and backgrounds: for this reason, we don’t require any prior knowledge. However, if participants want to start to look into linear algebra (e.g. operations with vectors and matrices), coding with Python, or reading about quantum entanglement, your learning curve will be a little bit smoother.

Matching profiles

Students with an interest in physics, quantum mechanics, optics, lasers, computer programming, photonics, quantum technologies, mathematics.

Required materials

Laptop, writing materials.

Quantum physics challenges our most basics intuitions, yet it provides astonishingly accurate predictions on the behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales. Without it, we wouldn’t have developed useful technologies, such as Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER), Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), transistors, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners for medical diagnostics or Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which relies on atomic clocks. We are at the second quantum technological revolution, with quantum computers being one of the most promising frontiers.

We invite you to take a journey to the core of Quantum Physics, starting from its foundations, and building day by day the basis to understand the upcoming quantum technologies. The project will combine theoretical learning with practical experiments, allowing you to enjoy a journey into secure communication starting with an introduction to mathematical language (basic algebra and matrices) followed by the theory on quantum physics and cryptography and computer simulations in a friendly environment. At the end, you will work in groups for a hands-on experiment and will witness how quantum physics is strictly connected to information processing and how it can improve current technologies, such as communications, cryptography, and computing. 

ICFO will offer you the unique opportunity to visit ICFO laboratories and spin-offs, and the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia. This experience will showcase not only the practical and fundamental aspects of quantum cryptography but also its real-world applications. You will witness what it is like to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in quantum cryptography and secure communications.

Even if it may seem incredible, quantum physics has an important impact on our daily life. Richard Feynman said that it is safe to say that nobody understands quantum mechanics. But during your stay at ICFO we challenge you to prove him wrong: understand the basics of quantum physics and discover how many new technologies can stem from it, so you can be an active part of the quantum revolution!

Learning objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of quantum physics and its role in modern cryptography.
• Explore how quantum mechanics can improve current communication technologies.
• Engage in hands-on group activities, including building experimental setups and running computer simulations.
• Work alongside qualified researchers and scientists at ICFO, a leading research center in photonics and quantum technologies.
• Get to know ICFO laboratories and spin-offs and visit the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia.

Matching profiles

Students with an interest in: Physics, Photonics, Optics, Computer programming, Mathematics, Engineering.

Required materials

Laptop