News item | 23-10-2023 | 07:00
Lasers, mirror technology and vibration-free cooling machines. These are three examples of innovative technology required for the construction of the Einstein Telescope. As of today, companies can register for a subsidy to develop and test this type of technology, Minister Dijkgraaf announced today. The government is taking the next step towards bringing the Einstein Telescope to the Netherlands. The arrival of the telescope is not only important for gaining more knowledge of gravitational waves, but is also of great importance for the sustainable growth of Dutch science and our economy.
Super telescope
The Einstein telescope is actually not a telescope at all as many people use it to look at the stars. It is a triangle of tubes, each ten kilometers long, several hundred meters deep in the ground. Laser beams are fired into the tubes and reflected back with mirrors. By measuring very precisely where the laser beams deviate, scientists can detect gravitational waves from space. This will give scientists more insight into the birth process of black holes, the structure of neutron stars, and the nature of the universe immediately after the Big Bang. The scientists also want to test the predictions of Einstein’s theory of relativity. This provides new insights into our universe. The telescope is therefore of great significance for international physics and astronomy.
Needs a lot of technology
The construction of the telescope requires a lot of high-quality technology, which often does not yet exist. The lasers, mirrors and extreme cold technology, for example. The conditions must also be perfect so as not to disrupt the measurements. For example, the tunnel must be dug perfectly, and the pressure and humidity in those tunnels must be just right. The environment must also be vibration-free. There is no room for wind turbines in the immediate area. And the cooling system that is required, for example, must not vibrate at all, not even a little bit. A major technical challenge.
Business in the starting blocks
The government wants to encourage companies to get started now on developing this new technology. That is why companies can receive a subsidy for developing and testing innovations required for the construction of the telescope. A total of 12 million euros is available.
Minister Dijkgraaf: “I would love to bring the Einstein telescope here. The value of such a telescope for science and our economy can hardly be expressed in money. With this subsidy I want to kill two birds with one stone. By investing now in the knowledge and technology we need, our plan will become stronger and we will increase the chance of building the telescope here. We also encourage innovations, which is good for the economy, employment and knowledge position.”
Large value
The arrival of the Einstein telescope would mean a lot for Dutch science and for the region. Such a telescope is also expected to attract a lot of (local) activity and work for scientists, HBO and MBO students. Construction needs to start, maintenance is required and companies need to supply technology. Because the telescope is positive for the Dutch earning capacity in the longer term, the project received 42 million euros from the National Growth Fund. The budget for this scheme comes from this 42 million euros.
Within the Netherlands, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, the province of Limburg, Nikhef and LIOF are working hard to bring the telescope to the border region of the South Netherlands. They conduct various feasibility studies, conduct research into geology and set up cooperation with Germany and Belgium. The government has also reserved 870 million euros from the National Growth Fund to finance part of the construction.
Europe is expected to decide in 2026 whether the telescope will actually be built in the border area of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Italy is also working on a proposal to be allowed to build the telescope. The intention is for the telescope to be built in 2030.
Companies can submit their application to the regional development agency for Limburg (LIOF). Look here For more information.