'La Palma Interferometer', quantum astronomy from the Roque de Los Muchachos

12/11/2025

This week the tender went out for 14.5 million euros in the government procurement portal the development of an innovative microchip sensor as part of the ‘La Palma Interferometer’ project. An astronomical observation initiative that will be developed at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory from the own funds of CDTI (Ministry of Science) and the ERDF. This technology associated with the SPAD detector will create new professional opportunities in diverse fields and sectors, acting as a catalyst for the attraction of technology companies on the island and job creation. In the image, the Commissioner for the Reconstruction of La Palma, Héctor Izquierdo, together with the promoter of this technological bet, Francisco Prada (CSIC), in a meeting on the island to collaborate in its implementation.

Several telescopes installed at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory will work together on what is called the project La Palma Interferometer (LPI), which aims to explore new borders using a technique called intensity interferometry. What this methodology achieves is to combine the signals of multiple antennas or telescopes, achieving resolutions and sensitivities that would be impossible with an individual optical infrastructure.

The CSIC researcher behind the project, Francisco Prada, has met several times with the Commissioner for the Reconstruction of La Palma, Héctor Izquierdo, to explore funding avenues and establish scientific synergies based on palm trees. “Developing this project from the summits of the beautiful island will help to position La Palma as one of the destinations where cutting-edge science is developed,” says Izquierdo.