Institute de Fisica d'Altes Energies
SMASH Associate partner
The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a leading scientific research institute based in Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain, established in 1991 as a public consortium between the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). The institute has earned recognition as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, a prestigious distinction in Spain reflecting its world-class research and leadership in frontier science.
IFAE’s core mission is to conduct experimental and theoretical research at the frontiers of fundamental physics, addressing some of the most profound questions about matter, energy, space, and the universe. Its scientific activities span high-energy particle physics, astroparticle physics, cosmology, and related technological developments. The institute brings together around 150 researchers, engineers, and support personnel from around the world, fostering a vibrant international research environment.
On the experimental side, IFAE plays an active role in major international collaborations. This includes contributions to the ATLAS experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) — where precise measurements help deepen our understanding of the Standard Model and search for new physics — and participation in cosmic-ray and gamma-ray observatories such as the MAGIC telescopes and the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO). IFAE researchers also engage in neutrino physics experiments like T2K and NOvA, which probe neutrino oscillations and matter–antimatter asymmetries, as well as observational cosmology projects that explore dark energy and the large-scale structure of the universe.
The institute’s theoretical division conducts cutting-edge studies in particle physics and cosmology, exploring the foundations of the Standard Model, phenomena beyond it, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe. These theoretical efforts complement and guide experimental investigations, strengthening IFAE’s integrated approach to fundamental science.
In addition to fundamental research, IFAE develops advanced technologies with broader applications. These include the design and construction of state-of-the-art detectors, instrumentation for astrophysical observatories, and innovations in medical imaging and quantum computing technologies. This blend of fundamental and applied research ensures that IFAE not only pushes scientific boundaries but also contributes tools and techniques with societal impact.
IFAE’s strategic vision emphasizes international collaboration, excellence in scientific output, and training of the next generation of scientists. Through its research programs, partnerships, and participation in global scientific infrastructure, IFAE stands as a key institution in both the European and global physics communities, driving forward our understanding of the universe from the smallest particles to the largest cosmic structures.