Project description
Advanced inertial sensors for gravitational-wave astrophysics
Coupling compact interferometric sensors with a reference mass that senses signals in all directions (omnidirectional mass) will lead to revolutionary improvements in sensor sensitivity. Within the framework of the EU-funded OmniSens project, Netherland’s Stichting VU has developed a novel inertial system that will reduce residual accelerations in horizontal directions by at least two orders of magnitude at low-frequency gravitational waves (0.1 Hz). When used as the first stage of isolation in gravitational-wave detectors, the system will enable the detectors to reach their design sensitivities and will pave the way for the use of lower frequencies in observatories.
Objective
OmniSens is a novel inertial isolation system that will approach the fundamental limits imposed by materials and terrestrial gravity. Revolutionary improvements in sensitivity will come from coupling compact interferometric sensors that are beyond the state-of-the-art with a reference mass that is Omni-directionally Sensed (OmniSens). The key concept is the use of a single, geometrically-large reference mass that is sensed and softly-suspended in all six degrees of freedom, and housed within a platform that is actively controlled to be a constant distance from it. The inertial stability of the reference mass is thus transferred to the platform in a fashion mimicking the drag-free control of a satellite around a free-floating proof mass.
Compared with the state-of-the-art, OmniSens will reduce residual accelerations in horizontal directions by at least 2 orders of magnitude at 0.1Hz. When this system is used as the first stage of isolation in a gravitational-wave detector, it will enable current detectors to finally reach their design sensitivities and push the seismic wall to lower frequencies in future observatories.
Pushing the low frequency boundary will have two critical effects: it will increase the signal-to-noise of individual sources, thus expanding the astrophysical reach of observatories, and it will vastly augment the amount of time each source is in-band, possibly allowing sky localisation before the merger of neutron stars, with spectacular consequences for electromagnetic follow up campaigns.
To achieve these ambitious goals we will need to: Develop the test and measurement infrastructure capable of housing and measuring the reference mass; Test a prototype isolation system, showing that it can reach fundamental limits imposed by simple, metal-wire suspensions; and Build a robust OmniSens system suspended with fused-silica fibres that will become a foundational element of future gravitational-wave observatories.
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 mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG
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1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
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