Six Dutch consortia for the development of key technologies
Six consortia comprising a total of 26 Dutch high-tech companies and knowledge institutes will develop crucial technologies for the Einstein Telescope, or have already started doing so. The consortia will focus on challenges in optics, vacuum technology, vibration-free cooling, vibration damping and thermal deformations. They will receive over 12 million euros in subsidies for this. Together, this will result in groundbreaking technology for the future observatory, as well as economic opportunities by stimulating high-tech innovation.
The consortia receive financial support from the Dutch R&D programme for the Einstein Telescope. This programme is part of the Einstein Telescope valorisation programme for high-tech companies, a programme of the National Growth Fund. The programme is carried out by the regional development agencies (ROMs) under the direction of LIOF. The six consortia jointly receive a subsidy of more than 12 million euros for this. Combined with company contributions, the total project value is 14 million euros.
‘The investments strengthen the candidacy for the arrival of the Einstein Telescope and increase the future earning capacity of the Netherlands,’ says Jorg van der Meij, programme manager valorisation Einstein Telescope of the Limburg regional development agency LIOF.
‘Science and industry need each other’s knowledge and expertise to design and build the groundbreaking technology needed for the Einstein Telescope. Innovations that can also be marketed in other applications. That makes the Einstein Telescope a wonderful opportunity for society as a driver of innovation and prosperity. Companies are therefore very enthusiastic about contributing their ideas and participating in this challenging project.’
After the three consortia that have already been launched, the three new partnerships are:
Optics Consortium
The heart of the Einstein Telescope is a series of sensitive silicon mirrors, 45 cm in diameter and weighing about 200 kg. These mirrors must be extremely smooth, reflect 99.999% of the laser light and operate at cryogenic temperatures between 10 and 20 °C above absolute zero. Its predecessor LIGO used smaller and lighter mirrors made of molten silicon dioxide at room temperature.
The techniques are Dutch specialities and have applications in astronomy and the semiconductor industry. The consortium consists of Cosine Innovations, SRON, VSL, Maastricht University, NOVA and TNO.
Thermal Deformatrions Consortium
In order to get the laser beams of the Einstein Telescope crystal clear, optical support systems with hundreds of mirrors are needed. These can be slightly distorted by small temperature differences. Such thermal deformation also distorts the laser beam and makes the Einstein Telescope less accurate. The Thermal Deformations consortium is developing a system that measures and corrects these effects. The consortium consists of TNO, Sioux Technologies, ATG Engineering, Hoursec, NOVA, Nikhef and DEMCON.
Vacuum Technology Consortium
The Einstein Telescope’s vacuum tubes are 120 kilometres long in total and ensure that air and dust do not interfere with the sensitive measurements. The metal of the vacuum tubes themselves can also introduce contaminants into the vacuum, such as dust particles or water vapour. The Vacuum Technology consortium develops and qualifies procedures to cleanly and mass-produce tube elements. The work builds on R&D by the European particle lab CERN. The consortium consists of: TNO, VDL ETG Technology & Development, VDL KTI, Settels Savenije Group of Companies, SBE and Nikhef.
More information: einsteintelescopeforbusiness.nl
Read the full press release (Dutch and English).
