Objective
This proposal outlines a pioneering experiment to detect high-frequency gravitational waves (GWs) in the 10 kHz to 100 MHz range, beyond the current operational bandwidth of large-scale interferometers such as LIGO. Like electromagnetic radiation, GWs are expected to span many decades in frequency, with each band potentially encoding unique, unexplored physics. Above 10 kHz, the lack of abundant astrophysical sources offers a clean observational window free from foreground contamination. Any detection in this regime would constitute compelling evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model, potentially arising from exotic compact objects (e.g. primordial black holes or boson stars) or from early-universe phenomena. Such a discovery would have far-reaching implications for fundamental particle physics.
SONAR employs a superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavity with two closely spaced electromagnetic modes. A passing GW induces a resonant deformation of the cavity walls, transferring power between modes, an effect measurable with instrumentation pushed beyond current technologies. Additionally, the same infrastructure enables broadband searches for ultralight axion dark matter, based on power transfer between modes induced by direct axion–photon coupling.
Despite its immense scientific potential, this technologically ambitious concept has never been implemented. Recent advancements in SRF cavity performance and control, along with our breakthrough in RF noise suppression, now make its realization feasible. To achieve this, SONAR will develop and fabricate optimized cavities, advance state-of-the-art cavity control and readout, and design a suspension system to minimize vibrational noise as close as possible to the thermal limit. These innovations will maximize sensitivity and enable the first-ever search for high-frequency GWs in this regime.
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 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology radio frequency
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
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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-2025-ADG
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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.
22607 Hamburg
Germany
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.