Two new vibration damping projects for Einstein Telescope

3 September 2024

Nikhef participates in two consortia that will work on vibration damping for the Einstein Telescope. SENVIDET will focus on extremely sensitive displacement and acceleration sensors for the mirror suspension. ICVI focuses on vibration isolation techniques that are compatible with a cryogenic environment. Both projects consist of multiple partners from science and industry. They received a grant from the Dutch R&D scheme of the Einstein Telescope valorisation programme for high-tech companies, a programme of the National Growth Fund.

The Einstein Telescope and vibration damping

The future Einstein Telescope will be an underground gravitational wave detector that is much more sensitive than its predecessors. As a result, the instrument is expected to be able to detect many more gravitational waves from a larger part of the universe. To achieve this result, as much noise as possible must be eliminated. For example noise caused by movements of the ground and heat vibrations from the equipment. That’s why specialised vibration damping is being developed that further isolates the core and auxiliary optics of the Einstein Telescope from the environment.

Two aspects of vibration damping are now being addressed within this R&D scheme. One is the mirror suspension, as it is affected by slow movements of the surrounding rock. Most sensors that already exist focus on fast movements, for example for space applications. This challenge is what the eight partners of SENVIDET will work on, led by Delft-based Lionite. Their goal is to determine anomalies below a billionth of a meter and billionth of an angular degree using, among other things, spillover effects between glass fibers and seismometers in the surrounding rock layer.

The eight partners of the ICVI consortium will focus on a very different part of vibration damping. The Einstein Telescope’s measurement setup needs to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures, without introducing new sources of vibration. This consortium, led by Onnes Technologies in Leiden, intends to develop better cryogenic vibration isolation technology. The technology will detect unwanted vibrations with free-floating magnetic particles in superconducting traps. This can create a setup that is both very cold and hangs very still.

Nikhef’s role

It is not a surprise that Nikhef is involved in both consortia. Vibration expert Alessandro Bertolini, who was involved in the preparation of both projects, explains why: “Nikhef is the center in the Netherlands for gravitational wave research. We are deeply involved in, among other things, developing and designing the instrumentation for the Einstein Telescope. Nikhef researchers have a comprehensive view of the machine and have detailed knowledge of its requirements and technological challenges.”

Bertolini is enthusiastic about taking this up within this R&D scheme. “I am very excited to collaborate with industry partners. From their fresh approach to the challenges of gravitational observatories, I expect pleasant surprises from the technological point of view. Also, it’s essential to have industry’s involvement at early stages. In the development of sensors for example, that are crucial for the operation of the telescope. Later on, these sensors must be produced in large quantities and will need to ensure repeatable and reliable performance over the long term.”

The Dutch R&D scheme

The R&D scheme is part of the Einstein Telescope valorization program for high-tech companies – a program of the Dutch National Growth Fund. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage innovation and accelerated development of new technologies for the Einstein Telescope. And in turn strengthening the candidacy for the arrival of the Einstein Telescope and the future earning potential of the Netherlands.

Minister Eppo Bruins of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: “I have great expectations about the potential of the Einstein Telescope. With world-class scientific infrastructure within our borders, all of Dutch science gets a boost. And the technology we are developing for the telescope will give Dutch tech companies a unique edge. In a few years, the resulting innovations may just become part of our daily lives. I want to be fully committed to being able to build the Einstein Telescope here in the coming years.”

About the Einstein Telescope

The underground Einstein Telescope will be Europe’s most advanced observatory for gravitational waves. It will allow researchers to hear black holes collide and gain knowledge about the early universe. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are jointly considering whether to host this world-class observatory. More information on the feasibility studies and candidature can be found at https://www.einsteintelescope-emr.eu/

Have a look at the original press release: ‘SMEs and knowledge institutions develop advanced vibration damping for Einstein Telescope ’ on the website www.einsteintelescopeforbusiness.nl.