INFN

INFN, short for Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, is Italy's national public research institution dedicated to fundamental physics. It coordinates and funds research in nuclear physics, particle physics, astroparticle physics, and related technologies, with activities conducted at universities, laboratories, and international collaborations.

Organization and facilities: The institute operates through a network of Sezioni (sections) located at Italian universities and through dedicated national laboratories. Major laboratories include the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Abruzzo, the Legnaro National Laboratory (LNL) in Veneto, and the Frascati National Laboratory (LNF) near Rome. INFN maintains collaborations with universities, other research centers, and industry, and it participates in international facilities such as CERN.

Research and activities: INFN's work spans fundamental physics and its instrumentation. Core research areas include particle physics, nuclear physics, and astroparticle physics; theoretical physics and cosmology; and applied physics and medical imaging. The institute also develops detectors, electronics, software, and data analysis methods used in experiments worldwide.

International role and funding: INFN is a member of CERN and contributes to experiments at the Large Hadron Collider and other international projects. It receives public funding from the Italian government and works through partnerships with universities; it also participates in European science programs and initiatives.

History and governance: Created in the mid-20th century (established in 1951), INFN is overseen by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research and governed by a council that coordinates its Sezioni and Laboratories. It serves as a national hub for physics research and training in Italy.