Objective
The first detection of gravitational waves, and in particular the observation of merging black holes, which otherwise appear 'dark', has been one of the most exciting scientific achievements of the last decades. With the next generation of even more sensitive detectors, we plan to be able to see gravitational waves from objects as far away as the edge of the observable universe. However, a major limitation to the sensitivity of these detectors is the thermal noise of their core components: the highly-reflective coated interferometer mirrors.
The use of cryogenic temperatures will be a major step forward in thermal-noise reduction. However, with current coating technology, the sensitivity goals of next generation detectors cannot be met, not to mention further upgrades or future detector generations: (a) All amorphous coating materials, identified so far, with low thermal noise at low temperatures, show too high optical absorption. (b) Single-crystalline coatings can show both low thermal noise and low absorption, but come with different obstacles such as limitations on the size and material combinations, or different noise mechanisms e.g. from bonding the coating to the mirror.
I plan to explore a completely new path to realize coating-free mirrors: The use of ion implantation to create a highly-reflective multilayer structure directly inside the silicon mirror substrate. My main hypothesis is that the implantation procedure preserves the excellent optical and thermal-noise properties of crystalline materials, which cannot be met by amorphous coatings, while not imposing the limitations of single-crystalline coatings. A successful realization of such mirrors will solve the coating thermal noise issue in gravitational-wave detection entirely, allowing for an unhindered view into the Universe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.