A new chapter in the development of the Einstein Telescope is set to begin as a dedicated team comprising six PhD students and six postdoctoral researchers embarks on enhancing the instrument’s design. Stationed in Maastricht and Amsterdam, the team will embedded in prominent research groups led by Andreas Freise and Stefan Hild.
The project's current phase will focus on elevating existing detector and instrumentation designs to new heights of innovation and practical feasibility. Andreas Freise, who spearheads the Amsterdam research division, commented, "Having initiated the first designs of the Einstein Telescope 15 years ago, it's thrilling to now refine these into the definitive version that will be constructed. The upcoming years promise to be groundbreaking."
A Legacy of Leadership in Gravitational Wave Research Nikhef has long been at the forefront of gravitational wave research, providing critical designs and components for the Virgo detector in Pisa and playing a pivotal role in the development of the Einstein Telescope. The ETpathfinder lab in Maastricht, a state-of-the-art facility for testing and refining technology, serves as a cornerstone of this effort. Stefan Hild, the gravitational wave program leader at Nikhef and based in Maastricht, shares his enthusiasm: "This newly assembled design team will draw extensively on insights gained from ETpathfinder, propelling us towards a superior design for the Einstein Telescope."
Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists Both Hild and Freise are passionate about the integration of early career scientists into this transformative project. Hild remarks, "Designing an instrument as significant as the Einstein Telescope offers a unique, impactful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in the field." Freise adds, "Our new recruits are not just participating in a crucial phase of the project—they are being groomed to be the future operators and users of the Einstein Telescope."
About the Einstein Telescope
The Einstein Telescope is a future underground gravitational wave detector, currently in the preparation phase. One of the potential locations for this observatory is the border area of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany – the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. Another possible location is Sardinia in Italy, and Lusatia in Germany may become a potential site as well. Throughout Europe, the design, potential sites and organisation are being prepared for the next phase. Scientists, engineers and professionals of Nikhef have leading roles in the international collaboration and organization, as well as for the feasibility studies in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.
Image: R&D lab ETpathfinder in Maastricht. Photo: Harry Heuts