Oscilador Armónico, the science outreach podcast of the Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC), a joint center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universitat de València, is celebrating after receiving the prestigious Premio Fotón Emitido 2026, awarded annually by the Instituto de Óptica Daza de Valdés. The prize is presented in collaboration with Sociedad Española de Óptica (SEDOPTICA), SECPHO, and EDUCACIÓN 3.0, and recognizes excellence in the communication of optics and photonics through the media.

Oscilador Armónico first aired in early 2023, created by a team including Enrique Nácher, Valentina De Romeri, Alberto Aparici, Avelino Vicente, and Isabel Cordero from the Faculty of Mathematics at the Universitat de València. Directed by science broadcaster Antonio Rivera, the podcast aims to bring the fascinating world of physics closer to the general public, showcasing the wonders of physics and mathematics through accessible yet rigorous language while highlighting the most relevant advances in current research.

Broadcast weekly from the IFIC, the podcast is supported by the Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa project, an accreditation awarded to the IFIC by Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Each episode centers on an engaging and dynamic discussion with a specialist in a particular area of physics, usually an active researcher. The podcast also features short thematic sections such as Glossary, Stories of Physics, and Women and Science, among others.

The award-winning episode is number 58, broadcast on February 12, 2025, titled “The Revolution of Light.” In it, Professor Eugenio Roldán, from the Department of Optics and Optometry at the Universitat de València, joins Antonio Rivera and Alberto Aparici to explore the transition from the corpuscular theory to the wave theory of light in the early nineteenth century—one of the most significant milestones in the history of physics. The jury praised the episode as “interesting and well produced, with clear and accessible language for general audiences while remaining rigorous, recounting the successive discoveries and advances in understanding the nature of light, with particular attention to the key figures of each era.”

At the award ceremony, held on Wednesday, May 13th, at the central CSIC headquarters in Madrid, Avelino Vicente attended on behalf of the Oscilador Armónico team, accompanied by Sergio Pastor. Other winners in different categories included physicist Eva Villaver and Colegio Miramadrid.

The IFIC views this award as encouragement to continue promoting scientific culture and high-quality outreach. In the words of Avelino Vicente: “The entire Oscilador Armónico team was thrilled to receive this recognition. We would like to dedicate it to everyone who has taken part in the program over these more than three years of activity. We also want to thank the IFIC for its tremendous support and our listeners for their loyalty”. Antonio Rivera added that the award is also: “A motivation to keep investing in science communication and to continue creating a space for conversation and learning around physics. It is also recognition of the collective effort behind the podcast and all the people who make it possible.”

Oscilador Armónico was born with the mission of bringing physics closer to society as a whole, combining the rigor of scientific research with a narrative that is engaging and accessible to broad audiences while giving voice to many leading figures in contemporary physics. Across more than 100 episodes, the podcast has established itself as one of the leading Spanish-language science communication platforms, accumulating over one million listens and more than twelve thousand followers on platforms such as iVoox and Spotify.

The award-winning episode is available on major podcast distribution platforms.

Listen here: “The Revolution of Light”