Jesse van Dongen, PhD at Nikhef, will defend his thesis Friday 28 November 2025 at 9.45 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
“The art of holding mirrors still for gravitational wave detectors”
Physicist Jesse van Dongen investigated the fundamental blocks of vibration isolation, in order to develop gravitational wave detectors with a lower noise plateau.
Current gravitational wave detectors are limited at low frequencies by technical noise. For future gravitational wave detectors, low-frequency sensitivity is important to listen further into the universe and provide earlier warning of future collisions with massive objects. In his research, Van Dongen examines the fundamental components of vibration isolation to create detectors with a lower noise plateau.
For vibration isolation of future gravitational wave detectors, optimal integration of the mechanics, controls, and applied sensors and actuators is essential. This study, based on initial indications, shows that a smaller (less expensive) tower can meet the vibration requirements of the future Einstein Telescope. The behavior of the vibration isolation towers outside the detection band ultimately feeds back into the detection band. This makes it important to investigate the systems over a wide frequency band.
This research takes the first step towards simulating and optimizing the vibration isolation towers of the Einstein Telescope and the development of sensitive accelerometers and distance sensors. These processes are important in precision engineering and can therefore impact, for example, the semiconductor industry, or the prediction or compensation of earthquakes.
Van Dongen conducted his research using computer simulations, which were validated with measurements from real systems, and through laboratory research and small-scale experiments.
The PhD defense will take place at the main building of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam
More information and a link to the livestream on the website of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Supervisors: dr. C. M. Mow-Lowry and prof. dr. A. Freise
Contact: Jesse van Dongen
