Andrei Utina, promovendus aan het Nikhef, verdedigt zijn proefschrift dinsdag 19 november 2024 om 13.00 aan de Universiteit Maastricht.
Instrumentation and characterization techniques for advanced gravitational-wave observatories (pdf)
This thesis covers several key areas of detecting gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space and time first predicted by Einstein in his general theory of relativity.
The thesis explores how to control mirrors in gravitational-wave detectors (like LIGO and Virgo), which need extremely precise positioning to work properly. It also looks
at a new testing facility called ETpathfinder built in Maastricht, which helps develop next-generation detection technology.
A major focus is on the Einstein Telescope, a future detector that will operate at extremely cold temperatures (below minus 250°C). The research examines how to cool the equipment without creating unwanted vibrations that could interfere with measurements.
Finally, the thesis explores using artificial intelligence and computer vision to help align the detector’s mirrors automatically – a task usually done manually by experts. This
could make the process much faster and more efficient.
De promotie vindt plaats in het bestuursgebouw van de Universiteit Maastricht, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht.
Meer informatie en een link naar de livestream op de website van de Universiteit Maastricht.
Promotor: prof. dr. Stefan Hild
Co-promotor: dr. Sebastian Steinlechner
contact: Andrei Utina