News

Job openings for engineering and design team

We are looking for 5 new engineers to expand the ETpathfinder team.

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Annual ETpathfinder Workshop brings together scientists from 8 countries

Every year the ETpathfinder team comes together for an annual workshop to look back at the accomplishments of the previous years and to plan for the upcoming year. This years workshop took place on the 23rd and 24th of March.

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Video of the Beam Splitter Tower hoisting

Credit: Marco Kraan

ETpathfinder Smart Skills Lab shares Einstein Telescope knowledge with…

Research into the Einstein Telescope is generating valuable technological expertise. While this presents major opportunities for industry, much of the knowledge fails to reach businesses effectively. The new ETpathfinder Smart Skills Lab in Maastricht aims to change that. Over the coming years, it will develop training modules to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) upskill their workforce.

Working together on the largest scientific construction project ever…

‘The border region of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium is the perfect location for the Einstein Telescope and we will do our utmost to bring it here’. This statement also became the agreement with which ministers Dirk Beljaarts (Netherlands) and his colleagues Mona Neubaur (North Rhine-Westphalia), Pierre-Yves Jeholet (Wallonia), Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (Flanders) and the Belgian ambassador Anick Van Calster summarised their meeting. They agreed to work together to strengthen the candidacy for the Einstein Telescope.

New impulse for instrument design Einstein Telescope

A team of six PhD students and six postdocs is starting to work on improving the design of the Einstein Telescope. The aim is to work towards a design that is advanced, as well as technologically ready and feasible.

Read more: New impulse for instrument design Einstein Telescope

They will be based in Maastricht and Amsterdam and work as an integrated team, together with the existing research groups led by Andreas Freise and Stefan Hild. The positions are financed by a dedicated grant of 3 million euro. This grant is part of a larger national financial impulse for the Einstein Telescope that was announced last September.

Nikhef physicist Paul Kuijer passed away

To our great sorrow, we received the sad news of the passing of Paul Kuijer.

NWO-XL grants for three groundbreaking research lines at Nikhef

Three Nikhef projects receive funding from NWO within the ENW-XL Open Competition. These include the future Einstein Telescope, research into the Higgs boson and research into the universe.

Read more: NWO-XL grants for three groundbreaking research lines at Nikhef

The awards were announced today. A total of 21 research consortia in this 2023/2024 round will have the chance to make a breakthrough thanks to funding from the ENW-XL Open Competition. A total of €64 million has been allocated, and each project will be allocated between 1 and 3 million euros. With the funding received, it is up to the researchers to start, strengthen or expand groundbreaking and innovative world-class research lines together.

Nikhef was involved in the last selection round with three applications. All three have now been honoured. ‘This is fantastic news,’ says Nikhef’s institute manager Arjen van Rijn.

Enabling Einstein Telescope to listen to the full Universe

Prof.  S. Hild, MU/Nikhef

Co-applicants: Prof.  C.F.F. (Chris) van den Broeck, Prof. A. (Alessandro) Bertolini, Dr. H.J. (Henk Jan) Bulten, Dr. A. (Anuradha) Samajdar, Prof.  A. (Andreas) Freise, Dr. S. (Stefan) Danilishin, Dr. M. (Maria) Haney, Dr. G. (Gideon) Koekoek, Dr. C. (Conor) Mow-Lowry, Dr. J. (Jessica) Steinlechner, Dr. S. (Sebastian) Steinlechner, Dr. B. (Bas) Swinkels, Dr. N. (Niels) van Bakel

The Einstein Telescope will be Europe’s Gravitational Wave observatory guaranteeing unprecedent observing capacity for most of the the 21st century, being able to listen for instance to colliding black holes from the whole Universe. In this project we will develop and qualify innovative technologies essential to enable the mindboggling sensitivity of the Einstein Telescope. A special focus will be set on the low-frequency end of the observation band, where improvement factors of up to a million are needed compared to the current LIGO/Virgo detector.

Bright makes item about ETpathfinder

Bright.nl went to Maastricht to shoot an item about ETpathfinder hosted by Anna Gimbrere.

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Studying gravitational waves during summer break

Do I want to work in gravitational waves research in the future? Twelve American physics students conducted research over the summer at leading research groups around the world to find out. On August 22 and 23, they gathered at the R&D lab ETpathfinder to share their experiences.

Test facility ETpathfinder enters new phase

A progress workshop in February marks the start of a new phase at the international test facility ETpathfinder. In their cleanroom in Maastricht, European scientists and companies are building a realistic mock-up of the vibration-free interferometers that will sit at the heart of the Einstein Telescope.

Visit Ministers Dijkgraaf and Brouns: strong together for the…

The visit of Flemish Minister Jo Brouns and his Dutch counterpart Robbert Dijkgraaf to the ET pathfinder in Maastricht may have been brief, but its significance was substantial. A few days earlier, Minister Brouns had announced that the Flemish government is allocating 21 million euros for the development of technology for the Einstein Telescope.

“As scientists, we all want the same thing: to…

At Maastricht University’s Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics department, researchers and students are developing new technologies for the planned Einstein Telescope. Janis Wöhler is one of them. In addition to his research job, he runs a popular physics podcast, Physik-Geplänkel

First opening of R&D scheme Einstein Telescope for high-tech…

On Monday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m., the first call was opened of the R&D scheme technology domain Einstein Telescope for high-tech companies. It concerns the technology domain ‘vibration-free cooling’. Companies can qualify for a subsidy of up to €2.585 million.

Alessandro Bertolini, the scientist who studies and loves quietness

Alessandro Bertolini, an experimental physicist, will be appointed endowed professor of Gravitational Wave Detection Technologies at Maastricht University on September 1. Bertolini is a world-renowned expert in vibration isolation research.

Brightlands Science Lecture by Prof. Stefan Hild

Einstein Telescope – prospects of building a billion-Euro-class research Infrastructure in Limburg? Unravvelling the mysteries of the dark side of the universe with the Einstein Telescope.

Einstein in Limburg: Universiteit Maastricht bouwt testinstallatie voor Einstein…

Nederland neemt voorlopig een voortrekkersrol in de kandidatuur. Onze noorderburen bouwden al een onderzoeksinstallatie voor de Einstein Telescoop aan de Universiteit van Maastricht. De ET Pathfinder wordt gebruikt om alle technologieën voor het project te testen, en zal ook in gebruik blijven eens de telescoop er is.

Read more “Einstein in Limburg: Universiteit Maastricht bouwt testinstallatie voor Einstein Telescoop” →

‘Euroregion has gold in its hands with the Einstein…

Vice president of the European Commission visits ET Pathfinder

Dutch Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf visits ETpathfinder

On 23 May, Minister Dijkgraaf of Education, Culture and Science visited Maastricht. He also visited the gravitational wave laboratory ETpathfinder. In addition to the official part of the programme, he paid a spontaneous visit to the clean room to take a closer look at the metres-high installation.

3rd IAB for ETpathfinder, E-TEST and ET2SMEs a great…

On 29 April, the 3rd IAB (Industry Advisory Board) for the combined projects ETpathfinder, E-TEST and ET2SMEs, took place at the ETpathfinder facility in Maastricht.

Read more “3rd IAB for ETpathfinder, E-TEST and ET2SMEs a great success” →

Dutch government embraces plans for Einstein Telescope in Limburg…

The Dutch government intends to conditionally allocate 42 million euros from the Dutch National Growth Fund to the Einstein Telescope, and is also reserving 870 million euros for a future Dutch contribution to the construction.

Einstein Telescope submitted to Dutch National Growth Fund Advisory…

The Einstein Telescope project proposal meets the entry criteria of the Dutch National Growth Fund and has been submitted to the Advisory Committee. The Ministers of Economic Affairs and Climate Change (EZK) and Finance (FIN) confirmed this in a letter to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on 14 February. This confirmation takes the Einstein Telescope one step further in the process.

Innovation voucher scheme for companies

Does your company have an idea for a new product, process or technology? And could this be relevant to the Einstein Telescope? Then the voucher scheme of the ET2SMEs project might be interesting for you!

Looking back on ETpathfinder’s opening

On November 8, Ingrid van Engelshoven – the Demissionary Minister of Education, Culture and Science – opened ETpathfinder during a festive ceremony in Maastricht.

International gravitational wave laboratory opens in Maastricht

Demissionary Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven will open ETpathfinder in Maastricht this afternoon.

Application Einstein Telescope submitted for National Growth Fund

On 31 October, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven submitted an application for the Einstein Telescope to the National Growth Fund, supported by her colleague of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

Quiet mirrors to discover our universe

Dr. Jessica Steinlechner of the Department of Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) was awarded a VIDI grant to develop mirror coatings for gravitational waves detectors.

GWFP researcher Dr. Jan-Simon Hennig wins Feodor-Lynen Fellowship

GWFP researcher, Dr. Jan-Simon Hennig, was awarded the Feodor-Lynen Fellowship from the German Alexander von Humboldt society.

Ontwikkeling Einstein Telescoop komt op stoom

De centrale spil van de ontwikkeling van de toekomstige Einstein Telescoop – voor de detectie van zwaartekrachtgolven – staat in Maastricht. Bij de universiteit van deze stad verrijst een laboratorium voor ET Pathfinder, een prototype van de Einstein Telescoop. De bouw van het laboratorium nadert zijn voltooiing. Wat gaat er in het lab gebeuren?

Construction ETpathfinder cleanroom started

The first phase of constructing ETpathfinder was finished last summer by pouring the high-tech concrete floor. And with the drying of the concrete done, the build has entered the second phase: building the cleanroom. 

Black holes and the big bang under scrutiny in…

Two research projects by Nikhef and others receive support from the National Science Agenda. One project wants to illuminate the mystery of black holes from all sides, the other looks directly back to almost the big bang. Both also focus explicitly on the curious  general public.

NRW state parliament unanimously supports Einstein Telescope

The state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia has unanimously pledged its support for the groundbreaking international science project Einstein Telescope (ET).

Einstein Telescope application for European roadmap submitted

On September 9^th, the Italian government submitted an application to include the Einstein Telescope in the European roadmap for large research infrastructures. The governments of Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain support the application. Being part of this ESFRI-roadmap would recognize the importance of the Einstein Telescope for Europe.

Working visit to Maastricht of the Parliament of North…

On Monday 3 August, representatives of the parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia came to Maastricht for a working visit. This Benelux group of the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia wanted to be informed about the Einstein Telescope.

BMBF funding for Einstein Telescope preparations

Fourteen German universities and research institutions receive a total of around 2 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This grant allows physicists and geophysicists to work on various technological aspects of the Einstein Telescope.

The Einstein Telescope and industry: exploring technological challenges together

The Einstein Telescope comes with unique technical challenges that cannot be solved by science alone. That’s why collaboration with industry is important. During webinars on July 1^st and 15^th specialists from both – science and industry – explored the challenges and collaboration opportunities together.

Concrete progress for ETpathfinder

A lot of talk has been going around about the prototype for a new generation of gravitational wave detector: ETpathfinder. And now, after many months of careful planning and preparation, the first visible steps towards realisation are finally complete.

ETpathfinder construction work in full swing

Meanwhile in Maastricht, the construction work for R&D-lab ETpathfinder continues.

Construction work in DUB30 has started!

As of the 13th of March 2020 construction work has started in the ETpathfinder hall with tearing down a separation wall in the old printing hall.

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Scoping out the Einstein Telescope

Activities are gathering pace at two sites in Europe where the Einstein Telescope, a proposed next-generation gravitational-wave observatory, may be built.

ETpathfinder – the prototype for the Einstein Telescope

In preparation of the next generation of gravitational wave telescopes, a 20-meter prototype, called the ETpathfinder, will be built in Maastricht.

First meeting of the ETpathfinder STAC

On the 6th and 7th of February 2020 the ETpathfinder Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) met in the ETpathfinder building at Maastricht to discuss and evaluate the ETpathfinder design and research plans.

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Einstein Telescoop weer stap dichterbij

De komst van de Einstein Telescoop naar Zuid-Limburg is weer een stap dichterbij gekomen. De EU heeft deze week een subsidie toegekend van 7,5 miljoen euro voor verder bodemonderzoek.

Limburgse bodem stabiel genoeg voor Einstein Telescoop

De komst van de Einstein Telescoop naar Zuid-Limburg is weer een stapje dichterbij gekomen nu uit onderzoek is gebleken dat de grond onder het Heuvelland stabiel genoeg is voor de kilometerslange detectoren van zwaartekrachtsgolven. 

Limburgse bodem lijkt geschikt voor Einstein Telescope

De kans dat er een enorme detector voor zwaartekrachtsgolven komt in Nederland is weer wat groter geworden.

Das „Einstein Teleskop“ könnte bei Aachen gebaut werden

Im Jahr 2015 wurden erstmals Gravitationswellen gemessen – mit zwei Detektoren in den USA. Nun planen europäische Forscher das „Einstein Teleskop“, das zehnmal sensibler für diese Wellen ist. Als Standort ist das Dreiländereck bei Aachen im Gespräch.

Prototype Einstein Telescope komt in pand ‘zwarte doos’ in…

De testfaciliteit voor Einstein Telescope wordt gevestigd in het universiteitspand naast de Kennedybrug in Maastricht. De bouw start begin volgend jaar.

Universiteiten bouwen hypermoderne onderzoeksfaciliteit voor zwaartekrachtgolven

Een consortium van Belgische, Nederlandse en Duitse universiteiten en onderzoeksinstellingen gaat een onderzoekscentrum voor zwaartekrachtgolven bouwen in Maastricht.

Universiteit Maastricht treedt toe tot Einstein Telescope Coalitie

De Universiteit Maastricht is officieel toegetreden tot de Einstein Telescope Coalitie van Nikhef en KU Leuven; een samenwerkingsverband dat gaat onderzoeken wat de wetenschappelijke en technologische mogelijkheden zijn om de Einstein Telescope te vestigen in de grensregio rond Zuid-Limburg.

Universiteit Maastricht treedt toe tot samenwerkingsverband Nikhef

Alle leden van het Nikhef-bestuur hebben ingestemd met de toetreding van Universiteit Maastricht tot het nationale samenwerkingsverband Nikhef.