INternational School on modern PhYsics and REsearch
Glimpses into the Universe’s Hidden Realms
INSPYRE 2026 participants will sign up for two experimental working groups (one per day) which will take place on Tuesday April 14, and Wednesday April 15. The Thursday experiment will be common to all students.
Experiments - Tuesday, April 14
A – Plasma sources for particle accelerator (Angelo Biagioni, Gemma Costa, Lucio Crincoli, Martina Del Giorno, Romain Demitra, INFN-LNF)
What is a plasma, the state of matter that composes the 99% of the universe? How can it be investigated? Let’s find it out together with this interactive activity that will allow us to study it and detect it! In this way we will discover, with some basic physics principles, how spectroscopy works and how to measure the plasma.
B – Determination of nuclides through gamma spectrometry (Roberto Bedogni, Abner Ivan Castro Campoy, INFN-LNF)
The participants in the experience “Determination of nuclides through gamma spectrometry” will learn the basics of gamma spectrometry through Scintillation detectors. Particularly, they will learn about (1) physics of a scintillation detector (2) Analog electronics to transform the light pulses in the scintillator into measurable electrical pulses (3) Digital electronics to measure the electrical pulses and produce a pulse height distribution (4) Basics of nuclide identification though the gamma rays signature.
C – Cosmic rays: falling from the stars to the ground (Giulietto Felici, Danilo Domenici, Alessandro Paoloni, Paolo Ciambrone, INFN-LNF)
Primary cosmic rays, produced by galatic and extra-galactic sources, are continuosly hitting the atmosphere.
At ground level, muons, the most penetrating component, can be detected at the rate of about 1 particle per second per square cm.
In the past cosmic rays were used to discover new particles before the use of particle accelerators.
Nowadays, muons are mainly used to test detectors performances.
The aim of the experience is to make students get acquainted with detector technologies like scintillators and silicon photomultipliers.
The study of the muon rate as a function of the angle can be exploited to infer its properties, such as the lifetime.
D – Experiences with ArduSiPM an all-in-one particle detector (Valerio Bocci, Francesco Iacoangeli, INFN-Roma 1)
The construction of a homemade particle detector is a complex task, given the difficulty in sourcing materials and their associated costs. Within the framework of institutional research at INFN, we have developed a compact and affordable scintillation detector based on the Arduino Due, which includes all the functionalities of a modern particle physics detector. ArduSiPM was used in research projects and numerous outreach activities. During the event, we will show how to assemble the sensor, use the acquisition and control programs, explain its functionalities, and teach how to use it in educational experiences to detect cosmic rays or environmental radiation measurements. Information on the detector can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/particle-detectors/home
E – Exploring Matter with X-rays: Instrumental Characterization and Applications to Metal Composition (Alessandro Scordo, Simone Manti, INFN-LNF)
F – Seeing in the Dark. Theory and applications of Sonar Systems (Matteo Beretta, INFN-LNF)
This working group will present the theoretical foundations of acoustic and elastic wave propagation, which form the basis of sonar systems. Sonar applications in various fields will be illustrated. Participants will have the opportunity to assemble and test a small sonar system for remote object detection.
Experiments - Wednesday, April 15
A – Plasma sources for particle accelerator (Angelo Biagioni, Gemma Costa, Lucio Crincoli, Martina Del Giorno, Romain Demitra, INFN-LNF)
What is a plasma, the state of matter that composes the 99% of the universe? How can it be investigated? Let’s find it out together with this interactive activity that will allow us to study it and detect it! In this way we will discover, with some basic physics principles, how spectroscopy works and how to measure the plasma.
B – Determination of nuclides through gamma spectrometry (Roberto Bedogni, Abner Ivan Castro Campoy, INFN-LNF)
The participants in the experience “Determination of nuclides through gamma spectrometry” will learn the basics of gamma spectrometry through Scintillation detectors. Particularly, they will learn about (1) physics of a scintillation detector (2) Analog electronics to transform the light pulses in the scintillator into measurable electrical pulses (3) Digital electronics to measure the electrical pulses and produce a pulse height distribution (4) Basics of nuclide identification though the gamma rays signature.
C – Cosmic rays: falling from the stars to the ground (Giulietto Felici, Danilo Domenici, Alessandro Paoloni, Paolo Ciambrone, INFN-LNF)
Primary cosmic rays, produced by galatic and extra-galactic sources, are continuosly hitting the atmosphere.
At ground level, muons, the most penetrating component, can be detected at the rate of about 1 particle per second per square cm.
In the past cosmic rays were used to discover new particles before the use of particle accelerators.
Nowadays, muons are mainly used to test detectors performances.
The aim of the experience is to make students get acquainted with detector technologies like scintillators and silicon photomultipliers.
The study of the muon rate as a function of the angle can be exploited to infer its properties, such as the lifetime.
D – Experiences with ArduSiPM an all-in-one particle detector (Valerio Bocci, Francesco Iacoangeli, INFN-Roma 1)
The construction of a homemade particle detector is a complex task, given the difficulty in sourcing materials and their associated costs. Within the framework of institutional research at INFN, we have developed a compact and affordable scintillation detector based on the Arduino Due, which includes all the functionalities of a modern particle physics detector. ArduSiPM was used in research projects and numerous outreach activities. During the event, we will show how to assemble the sensor, use the acquisition and control programs, explain its functionalities, and teach how to use it in educational experiences to detect cosmic rays or environmental radiation measurements. Information on the detector can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/particle-detectors/home
E – Exploring Matter with X-rays: Instrumental Characterization and Applications to Metal Composition (Alessandro Scordo, Simone Manti, INFN-LNF)
G – Introduction to simulation techniques for medical applications (Alessandra Filippi, INFN-Torino)
They are fundamental for planning radiotherapy with beams or radiopharmaceuticals, for radiodiagnostics and radioprotection, and for designing shielding in space‑radiation environments. Although full simulation frameworks are highly complex, this working group will use a user‑friendly interface based on GEANT4.
Students will learn to configure particle beams of chosen shape, energy, and intensity, and to simulate their interaction with simplified yet realistic organ phantoms or with simple geometries they design themselves. They will analyze the microscopic output to understand the reactions occurring within the materials and visualize the underlying mechanisms of medical imaging and treatment techniques, especially those involving X‑rays and radioactive sources.
Experiments - Thursday, April 16
Open the lock! Playing the BB84 protocol for quantum cryptography (Andrea Lopez Incera,
Sebastian Mathias Koppetz, Universität Innsbruck, Institut Für Fachdidaktik)
Have you ever wondered how WhatsApp messages stay private, or how banks and websites keep your data secure? In this workshop, we will explore cryptography—from classical secret codes to modern techniques such as quantum cryptography. Throughout history, from ancient Greek soldiers to today’s digital technologies, different cultures have developed ways to send secret messages. Today, quantum physics allows us to create communication systems with an unprecedented level of security. During the workshop, you will experience firsthand how a quantum cryptography protocol works. You might play the role of a quantum particle or a scientist trying to send a secret message, while others act as eavesdroppers attempting to intercept the information. Can quantum physics protect the secret, or will the spy succeed? Let’s find out!
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