Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ET-PP (Preparatory Phase for the Einstein Telescope Gravitational Wave Observatory)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28
The core scientific field of Einstein Telescope (ET) is gravitational wave (GW) physics. GWs are opening a new window on the cosmos that can revolutionize humanity's understanding of the universe up to cosmological distances and unlock unexplored territories of extreme physical conditions that no experiment on Earth can ever provide. ET has the ambitious mission to push the limits of our ability to detect GWs and learn more about the evolution of our Universe back to its earliest form right after the Big Bang. Based on well proven and experimentally tested concepts, ET will exploit cutting-edge technologies and push them to their physical limits. It combines the well-proven technologies from the current advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors with beyond-state-of-the-art systems planned for the next evolution stage of the advanced detectors, in an infrastructure designed to accommodate several technology upgrades over many decades. ET has been included in the ESFRI roadmap 2021.
The main objective of the ET-PP project is to support crucial items in the preparatory phase of the experiment, including: the enlargement of the ET consortium, the legal framework, governance schemes, and financial regulations under which the ET Research Infrastructure will be constructed and operated; the technical design and costing of the ET observatory; the preparation of the site selection, where ET will be deployed, detailing and cost-estimation of the required site infrastructure, and its socio-economic and environmental impacts; the schemes for technology transfer, procurement and industry involvement in the technical design and construction of ET; and the required linking with relevant science communities regarding the detailed definition of the science program, and the user services and data access model.
The main objective of the ET-PP project is to support crucial items in the preparatory phase of the experiment, including: the enlargement of the ET consortium, the legal framework, governance schemes, and financial regulations under which the ET Research Infrastructure will be constructed and operated; the technical design and costing of the ET observatory; the preparation of the site selection, where ET will be deployed, detailing and cost-estimation of the required site infrastructure, and its socio-economic and environmental impacts; the schemes for technology transfer, procurement and industry involvement in the technical design and construction of ET; and the required linking with relevant science communities regarding the detailed definition of the science program, and the user services and data access model.
During the first year of the ET-PP execution the anticipated deliverables have been met across the different WPs. We summarize below the main points.
During the last year the ET consortium has grown significantly. At the moment the ET collaboration is formed by about 1500 members from 23 countries.
A refined ET science prospect document has been finalized and alternative ET optical layouts beyond the baseline are being explored.
A frenetic R&D activity is taking place, using significant local funding, to develop the new ET technologies on which the ET detector TDR will be based.
Progress has been made in the exploration of the architecture, legal framework, financial aspects and functionalities of different legal entity schemes, and regular meetings with ET proto-Council governing bodies have been established.
Significant progress has been made on the activities related to the design and cost estimate of the ET main infrastructures including vacuum and civil engineering, for which an intimate relation with CERN experts have been formally established.
Significant progress has been made in establishing the ET organization including the ET project office and engineering department.
Significant progress has been made in the area of industrial liaison and industrial engagement including also a first preliminary scan over interested industries.
A frenetic activity is taking place in the different ET candidate sites, using significant local funding, to characterize the sites, in preparation for a future site selection process.
Progress has been made on sustainability aspects affecting the ET infrastructure and the ET computing model and services.
Progress has been made in coordinating ET communication and outreach activities.
Finally, a tight coordination across WPs has been maintained.
During the last year the ET consortium has grown significantly. At the moment the ET collaboration is formed by about 1500 members from 23 countries.
A refined ET science prospect document has been finalized and alternative ET optical layouts beyond the baseline are being explored.
A frenetic R&D activity is taking place, using significant local funding, to develop the new ET technologies on which the ET detector TDR will be based.
Progress has been made in the exploration of the architecture, legal framework, financial aspects and functionalities of different legal entity schemes, and regular meetings with ET proto-Council governing bodies have been established.
Significant progress has been made on the activities related to the design and cost estimate of the ET main infrastructures including vacuum and civil engineering, for which an intimate relation with CERN experts have been formally established.
Significant progress has been made in establishing the ET organization including the ET project office and engineering department.
Significant progress has been made in the area of industrial liaison and industrial engagement including also a first preliminary scan over interested industries.
A frenetic activity is taking place in the different ET candidate sites, using significant local funding, to characterize the sites, in preparation for a future site selection process.
Progress has been made on sustainability aspects affecting the ET infrastructure and the ET computing model and services.
Progress has been made in coordinating ET communication and outreach activities.
Finally, a tight coordination across WPs has been maintained.
During the framework of WP6, R&D on new technologies is being carried out. Work is focused on the development of cryogenic low-frequency detectors, new suspensions, improved mirror coatings, etc. These activities are not receiving ET-PP funds.