New instruments to understand the universe

The University of Namur (Unamur) recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in which universities state their commitment to the Einstein Telescope. The university is particularly keen to contribute multidisciplinary expertise. Professors Michaël Lobet and André Füzfa explain the background to this new partnership.

The University of Namur (UNamur) is ready and determined to play an important role in the scientific and technological venture known as the Einstein Telescope. The first meetings with senior scientists from the Einstein Telescope EMR project office and the university have already taken place. Professor André Füfza also discussed with colleagues from Maastricht University how to collaborate on education and outreach. The first agreements to that end have been made. 

Strategic move

“Gravitational astronomy is likely to become the astrophysics of the 21st century,” André Füfza believes.  His colleague Michaël Lobet adds: “This detector will open a new window on the universe, with an unprecedented level of technological development.”

Not only is the knowledge and expertise from the university in the Walloon capital more than welcome in the Einstein Telescope venture, the signing of the MOU is also an important strategic move for UNamur. Scientists within the university are eager to get on board. “We are extremely happy to be part of this collaboration, which offers a unique opportunity to apply our expertise to a ground-breaking project,” says André Füzfa.

Supported by Namur University

On a scientific level, the Einstein Telescope can expect from Namur University to be at the intersection of geology, physics, optics, AI and numerical modelling. Michaël Lobet is confident that it will strengthen the Einstein Telescope due to its interdisciplinary technologies and approaches, making it a unique project in the world of astrophysics and beyond. Michaël Lobet sums up the opportunities as follows: “This project is a real opportunity for Wallonia and for UNamur, a catalyst for tomorrow’s scientific and technological innovation.”

The Einstein Telescope embodies the essence of physics: exploring the invisible. Whether measuring infinitesimal phenomena or detecting radiation invisible to the naked eye, this project opens a new door to the invisible. “To understand the universe, we need new instruments and new technologies, and this challenge offers fascinating prospects for tomorrow’s scientists and engineers,” André Füzfa says.

Within his own field, Michaël Lobet focuses on modelling techniques for photonic problems and on optimising absorbers and reflectors, which are particularly useful for cooling systems: “Optimising radiation absorbers and reflectors is essential to ensure the accuracy of measurements in extreme environments.”

André Füfza specialises in numerical relativity and the modelling of astrophysical sources, particularly the cosmological formation of supermassive black holes and primordial black holes with a low mass. These phenomena generate high-frequency signals in the spectrum of gravitational waves. “The study of what are known as primordial black holes and high-frequency events in the primordial universe will give us a better understanding of the early stages of cosmic evolution, before the age of fossil radiation,” he indicates.

Who’s who?

Michaël Lobet and André Füfza look far beyond their own expertise when it comes to input from their university. Many fellow professors are eager to share their expertise. They work at UNamur or affiliated institutes such as ILEE, NADI, NAXYS and NISM.

• Among their colleagues in Namur, Johan Yans and Max Collinet make a valuable contribution in the field of geology and the study of excavated rocks.

• Muriel Lepère, who is also chair of the LAS (Laser and Optical Spectroscopy) platform, can contribute to research into and debate about the precision of the telescope’s detectors using high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, optics and lasers.

Based on interdisciplinary thinking and working, even more colleagues from UNamur are joining the Einstein Telescope project.

• Julien Colaux specialises in the analysis of ion beams and has recently applied his expertise to characterising the coatings on the mirrors at the heart of the interferometers that detect gravitational waves. Their employees Emile Haye and Stéphane Lucas of ICS Innovative Coating Solutions specialise in depositing thin films, which are essential for the performance of these exceptional mirrors.

• Benoit Frenay works on AI, specifically to optimise the reproducibility of fundamental scientific experiments. Deploying AI in telescope data processing makes results more reliable and reproducible.

• Other UNamur researchers also contribute their expertise in a variety of fields. When it comes to augmented reality, Bruno Dumas is the go-to person, and for quantum optics it is Yves Caudano in the field of amplification of weak measurements and non-linear optics.

• Alexandre Mayer’s field is advanced photonic modelling techniques, including optimisation techniques derived from machine learning. Benoit Champagne specialises in the numerical modelling of non-linear signals and non-linear optics, taking an innovative approach to examining these phenomena from a chemical point of view.

Essentie

André Füzfa stelt dat de Einstein Telescope raakt aan de essentie van natuurkunde: het verkennen van het onzichtbare. “Dit project opent de deur naar een nieuw soort onzichtbaarheid. Om het heelal te begrijpen, hebben we nieuwe instrumenten en nieuwe technologieën nodig. Deze uitdaging biedt fascinerende vooruitzichten voor de wetenschappers en ingenieurs van morgen.”