SMEs and knowledge institutions develop advanced vibration damping for Einstein Telescope

About the R&D scheme

The R&D scheme is part of the Einstein Telescope valorisation programme for high-tech companies, a programme run by the National Growth Fund. The aim of the scheme is to stimulate innovation and accelerate the development of new technologies for the Einstein Telescope. This will strengthen the Netherlands' bid to host the Einstein Telescope and boost the country's future earning potential.

Minister Eppo Bruins of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW): "I have high expectations for the potential of the Einstein Telescope. With world-class scientific infrastructure within our borders, Dutch science as a whole will receive a boost. And the technology we are developing for the telescope gives Dutch tech companies a unique advantage. The innovations that result from this could well find their way into our daily lives in a few years' time. I am fully committed to ensuring that the Einstein Telescope can be built here in the coming years."

What does vibration damping entail?

The Einstein Telescope must be many times more sensitive than all its predecessors. This will enable the observatory to detect gravitational waves from across the entire visible universe. To achieve this, the researchers want to eliminate all possible forms of noise, such as ground movements and heat vibrations in the equipment. Within this domain, specialised vibration damping is being developed to isolate the core and auxiliary optics of the Einstein Telescope even better from the environment.

SENVIDET Consortium: extremely sensitive acceleration sensors

The seven partners of the SENVIDET consortium (Sensor Engineering for Noise and Vibration Isolation and Damping in Einstein Telescope) are developing various sensors that determine whether the mirror suspension of the Einstein Telescope deviates due to slow, gradual movements of the surrounding rock. This is a challenge, because such sensors mainly exist for fast movements, such as in space applications. SENVIDET wants to determine deviations of less than a billionth of a metre and a billionth of a degree, including jump effects between glass fibres and seismometers in the surrounding rock layer.

Lead engineer Jochem Klaassen of Lionite in Leiden: "This assignment is a real challenge, because there is no stable reference point on which to base your measurements: nothing on earth is more stable than the Einstein Telescope. Thanks to this grant, we can develop technology that goes beyond the state of the art. This will undoubtedly find applications in other industries, such as high-end manufacturing or the semiconductor industry. "

Partners: Lionite (penvoerder), DEMCON B.V., Innoseis B.V., Nikhef, Quantified Air B.V., Somni Solutions B.V., VSL B.V., TU Delft (associate partner).

ICVI Consortium: vibration damping of cryogenically cooled optics

The eight partners in the ICVI (Improved Cold Vibration Isolation for science and industry) project are jointly developing technology that cools the measurement setup to cryogenic temperatures without introducing new sources of vibration. ICVI's cryogenic vibration isolation technology, for example, detects unwanted vibrations using free-floating magnetic particles in superconducting traps. This creates an assembly that is both very cold and very quiet.

"The Netherlands has a rich history of extremely low temperatures; Leiden was known for a long time as the coldest place on earth," says CEO Max Kouwenhoven of penholder Onnes Technologies in Leiden. "With ICVI, we are taking the next step in this tradition. This is interesting for science and for the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries, for example."

"By continuing to invest in research, education and innovation, we can ensure that the Netherlands remains economically and technologically relevant. A major project such as the Einstein Telescope brings our country much more than just a special scientific observatory."

Partners: Onnes Technologies B.V. (lead partner), Leiden University, JPE B.V., Nikhef, SRON, Piak Electronic Design B.V., Delft Circuits B.V., Magnetic Innovations B.V.

Other openings for the R&D scheme

“ There is currently an opening for the technology domain of optics," says Jorg van der Meij, programme manager at LIOF. "This closes on 12 September. Later this year, consortia will be able to submit applications for the domains of thermal deformations and vacuum technology. For more information, please visit our website. We encourage high-tech companies and knowledge institutions to express their interest."

Over de Einstein Telescope

The underground Einstein Telescope will be Europe's most advanced observatory for gravitational waves. It will enable researchers to hear black holes collide and gain knowledge about the early universe. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are jointly investigating whether they can host this world-class observatory. The border region of these three countries is an ideal location for this. This is due to its tranquillity, stable soil and strong ecosystem of knowledge institutions and high-tech companies. The most suitable location and where this top-class facility will be built is likely to be announced in 2026.

Meer informatie: einsteintelescope.nl

Einstein Telescope for business

De R&D-regeling is onderdeel van het Einstein Telescope valorisatieprogramma voor hightech bedrijven, een programma van het Nationaal Groeifonds. Regionale ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (ROM) LIOF voert landelijk de regie, mede namens het ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat (EZK), het ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (OCW) en Nikhef. Met drie servicepunten bij de ROM’s in Brabant (BOM), Zuid-Holland (InnovationQuarter) en Oost-Nederland (Oost NL) wordt landelijk aansluiting gezocht bij hightech ecosystemen rond de technische universiteiten en samen met het bedrijfsleven en kennisinstellingen gebouwd aan consortia.

Further information: einsteintelescopeforbusiness.nl​​​​​​​

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