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There is a new Big Science Project (BSP) in the making: a large-scale, high-tech research infrastructure aimed at groundbreaking fundamental science. This new infrastructure will be the Einstein Telescope.

The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are now collaborating for building the next-generation observatory in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR): the Einstein Telescope (ET). The Einstein Telescope aims to achieve unprecedented sensitivity, detecting 10^–24 meters mirror displacements caused by black holes and neutron stars millions or billions of years ago.

For centuries, our understanding of the universe relied solely on electromagnetic waves. This changed with the confirmation of a new cosmic messenger: gravitational waves. А breakthrough came in 2015, when the LIGO observatory in the U.S. made the first direct detection, confirming a collision between two black holes.

Тhe Einstein Telescope project requires extreme engineering: large ultra-pure, vibration-free mirrors, powerful lasers at uncommon frequencies, cryogenic cooling, and the world’s largest ultra-high vacuum infrastructure, novel sensors and control techniques.... And for this, researchers need help from industry.

One possibility is to build the ET as a larger triangular infrastructure, with arms of 10 kilometers, and 250 meters under the ground. Another possibility is to break the ET into two L-shaped arms, each at another location. Discussions are still going on between researchers about what the best configuration would be.

It is important to know that there are three candidates to build the Einstein Telescope (ET). One candidate is the three-corner point between Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, also called the EMR. Then, there is also Italy who wants to build the ET – or at least one L. A third candidate is Saxony, Germany.

The Einstein Telescope is an opportunity for larger companies who want to join the consortia that will build the large ET caverns and tunnels. The underground tunnels will be longer than the current CERN tunnels, and will need significant effort from these consortia. Similar consortia are expected for building e.g. the approximately 130 km long vacuum system.

Yet, there is also an opportunity for small and medium sized companies to be involved. The Einstein Telescope will need unprecedented new technologies for vacuum systems, robotics and mechatronics, control systems, metallurgy, optics and lasers, etc. There are opportunities, also for Bulgarian companies who can offer best in class quality for the right pricing.

The physicists are looking forward to the data from the Einstein Telescope. Yet, it is expected that the first 15 years of construction – expected to start in 2027 – will be mainly about engineering work. The ET is expected to do 50 years of measurements, but in multiple phases, where one or two years of measurements are followed by long upgrade cycles. This means that engineering will continue, in close collaboration with knowledge institutes.

The opportunities for Bulgarian companies are not only on the level of providing services. There is a lot to learn from the technology that will be used in the ET. Don’t miss that opportunity to stay on top of the newest research going on. Cooperation can be initiated at the scientific level through Universities and Research Centers and at the business level through expert organizations such as BASEL.

For information and assistance, Commercial and Economic Office of the Embassy of Belgium in Bulgaria – Flanders Investment & Trade: sofia@fitagency.com

For project updates, follow the ET project newsletter:
https://et-emr.eu/en/newsletter

Source of the article: Flanders Investment & Trade
Source of the photo design: Flanders Investment & Trade