The consortium will receive the grant for research and development of technology that cools the telescope's measuring setup to cryogenic temperatures without introducing new vibration sources. The subsidy was awarded in the context of the R&D scheme with the aim of stimulating innovation and accelerated development of new technologies for the Einstein Telescope. This strengthens the candidacy for the arrival of the Einstein Telescope (Europe's next gravitational-wave detector) and the future earning capacity of the Netherlands. The R&D scheme is part of the Einstein Telescope valorization program for high-tech companies, a program of the National Growth Fund.
Improved Cold Vibration Insulation for Science and Industry (ICVI)
To study the history of the universe, the observatory records low-frequency (< 10 Hz) gravitational waves from the entire visible universe. The Einstein Telescope will be sensitive in this low frequency region where its predecessors were not. To achieve that performance, the researchers want to eliminate all forms of noise, such as ground movements and thermal vibrations in the equipment. The latter means the telescope's seismically isolated mirrors must operate at cryogenic temperatures, i.e., cooied to close to absolute zero. This research brings us closer to the technology to do this.
Furthermore, the industry is using the same technology to make their quantum microscopy measurements more accurate. For example, scanning probe (sample surface observation) microscopy in cryogen-free dilution refrigerators suffers from the high vibration levels caused by the pulse tube cooler. This can be reduced with the technology developed in this project.
Consortium ICVI: vibration damping of cryogenically cooled optics
The plan was proposed to the Limburg Institute for Development and Financing (LIOF) and National Growth Fund. This is a three-year project with a total budget of € 1,625,289.60, of which € 1,375,000 will be provided as a subsidy. Together with Omnes, Leiden University, SRON, JPE, Piak Electronics, Delft Circuits and Magnetic Innovations, ICVI is developing a cryogenic vibration isolation technology that, for example, detects unwanted vibrations with free-floating magnetic particles in superconducting traps. This creates a setup that is both very cold and incredibly quiet.