COLLOQUIUM "ETpathfinder: Status and Outlook" by Stefan Hild (U. of Maastricht, Nikhef)

Friday 4 Apr 2025, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Amsterdam

The proposed Einstein Telescope (ET) gravitational wave (GW) observatory aims to fully open up a new window to the universe. Especially extending the detection band towards lower frequencies will be essential for reaching the ambitious science goals of ET. This will be achieved by splitting the three ET detectors into each a high-frequency interferometer and a dedicated low-frequency interferometer. While the technologies used in the high-frequency interferometers are based on LIGO and Virgo (and hence are well tested), the low-frequency ET interferometers will make use of cryogenically cooled mirrors, new mirror material and a new laser wavelength. In order to be able to develop, test and qualify these new techniques, the ETpathfinder R&D center has been setup in Maastricht over the past few years. This talk will give an overview of the ETpathfinder project, its status and outlook. A special focus will be set on the Nikhef contributions to ETpathfinder.