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Impression of the Einstein Telescope. Credits Nikhef
Facilities and Research
Since 2015, observations of vibrations in the universe's spacetime have opened a new window into the cosmos, revealing extreme cosmic events. The field of gravitational‑wave research has exploded, with hundreds of new detections from existing observatories and plans for new, even more sensitive instruments. The Einstein Telescope (ET) is a proposed underground gravitational‑wave detector that will be many times more sensitive than current instruments such as LIGO and Virgo.
The Einstein Telescope would make it possible to ‘listen back’ to the vibrating universe in detail, almost to just after the Big Bang. In addition to underground installation and scale-up, the project will require a wide range of new technologies, including vibration isolation, lasers, quantum detection, and cryogenic cooling. Nikhef provides technical, scientific and organisational expertise and capacity for the project, which received funding and a major allocation from the Dutch National Growth Fund in 2022.
The initial designs for the Einstein Telescope envision a triangular tunnel system with ten-kilometre sides in which three laser systems observe simultaneously. The length of the arms hugely increases sensitivity compared to current detectors. The triangular configuration improves the localisation of sources in the sky and optimises noise suppression. Individual L‑shaped constellations of two observatories are also being studied in more detail, potentially at different locations in Europe.
To test some of the required new technologies, Nikhef and Maastricht University are building the ETpathfinder facility, a testbed for laser and mirror technology that will play a role in the ET.
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ETPathfinder facility. Credits Nikhef
Collaboration
The Netherlands plays a leading role in developing the Einstein Telescope, with NWO institute Nikhef as a key player, alongside ministries and provincial authorities. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are also preparing a bid to host the construction of ET in the Euregio Meuse‑Rhine (EMR). A bid book will be submitted in 2026.
The Einstein Telescope is already a broad European initiative with its own organisation, the Einstein Telescope Organisation (ETO), a scientific Einstein Telescope Collaboration and a large number of participating members, including the Netherlands. ETO is preparing to select a design and a construction site for ET, with support from institutions in the member states.
Nikhef facilitates a lot of the preliminary research through its Gravitational Waves research programme.
More information
Would you like to find out more about the Einstein Telescope, its future research? Then visit the ET website. You can find more information about the institute Nikhef on the Nikhef website.