Analogue Gravity in 2026
(Benasque Science Center, Jan 07 - Jan 17, 2026)

Organizers:

I. Agullo (Louisiana State University), A. Fabbri (University of Valencia), M. Jacquet (Paris Sorbonne University), J. Wilson (Louisiana State University)

Analogue gravity enables the study and recreation in the laboratory of phenomena connected with the propagation of quantum fields on curved spacetimes. This allows experimental access to the interplay between wave propagation, curved spacetimes and quantum physics—a combination which normally eludes detection in gravitational systems. Examples include Hawking radiation, rotational super-radiance off ergosurfaces of rotating black holes, and the spontaneous emission of entangled pairs of particles in a rapidly expanding universe. A new phase has recently started in the field: technological advances have rendered the experimental implementation of many old and new theoretical ideas in a growing variety of platforms, ranging from classical fluids to quantum fluids, nonlinear optical fibers, graphene, etc. These are exciting times in which progress is driven by experiments.

This event has two goals: the training of the new generation of researchers and a discussion of the state of the art of different research programs and experimental platforms. The events will be held in the 'Centro de Ciencias de Benasque Pedro Pascual' and it is intended to stimulate the exchange of ideas between junior and senior scientists, with both theoretical and experimental expertise.

The Center provides facilities and an agreeable atmosphere to allow the participants to carry their work during the meeting.

Benasque is a beautiful mountain village located 1140 m above sea level, in a valley at the heart of the Pyrenees, about 140 km north of the city of Zaragoza. The beautiful landscapes, scenic hikes and the proximity to the highest peaks in the Pyrenees make Benasque one of the main tourist sites in the region.

School

The school will take place from the 8th, 9th and 10th of January 2026, and during the first hours in the morning during the period January 12th-16th. It will include the following set of topics, which are intended to cover both the theoretical foundations of this filed of research as well as ongoing experimental implementations.

Topics

- Quantum field theory in curved spacetimes and analogue gravity
- Relativistic Quantum information
- Fluids of light, dynamical effects, Hawking radiation and super-radiance (theory and experiments)
- Analogue gravity in non-linear optical systems (theory and experiments)
-Quantum Hall effect and analog gravity
- Analog gravity in Bose Einstein Condensates (theory and experiments)

Invited Lecturers

- José Navarro-Salas
- Iacopo Carusotto
- Elinor Kath
-Alberto Bramati
-Kevin Falque
-David Bermudez
-Smitha Vishveshwara

Dates

The participants are expected to arrive on Wednesday January 7th, and a bus will be organized to facilitate the transport from the airport of Barcelona on that day. The School will finish on Saturday Jan 16th and a bus will be organized to the airport of Barcelona on the next morning.

Financial support

The organizers are exploring different sources of funding support. The availability of funds and the application process will be announced in due time.

Workshop

All interested in participating should fill out the application form (see registration section below)

The workshop will take place from the 12th of January to the 16nd of January. Participants of the workshop that do not participate in the School are expected to arrive on January 11th. A bus will be organized to facilitate the transport from the airport of Barcelona. The workshop will start the following day (Jan 12th), and finish on the evening of the 16th, and another bus will facilitate the return trip to Barcelona airport the next morning. All participants are encouraged to submit a title and abstract for an oral contribution. If the number of abstracts received surpasses the capacity of the workshop, a selection will be made by the organizing committee.

Registration fee information

Bus transportation

Registration & accommodation