Faculty of Science

Challenges

Gravitational waves, whose existence was predicted by Einstein in his theory of general relativity, were first observed in 2015 after several decades of trying. Their detection is complicated by the fact that they interact very weakly with matter, necessitating large-scale, very complex and sensitive telescopes.

Researchers used a laser interferometric detector, measuring a distance variation of 10-18m. This and many following observations have taught us more about the early universe, its evolution, and the cosmic objects in it, such as black holes.

The development of the ‘Einstein Telescope’ is an ongoing European initiative, allowing researchers to explore the universe with greater precision and investigate the universe’s first moments after the Big Bang. The researchers also want to test Einstein's theory of general relativity as never before, in hopes that it will provide new insights into the fundamental forces at work in nature and our universe.

A Belgian-Dutch-German consortium, which includes UCLouvain, is looking into the possibility of installing this future European instrument in a region at the crossroads of the three countries involved (Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany).

UCLouvain’s contribution

At UCLouvain, Professor Giacomo Bruno, Professor Justin Janquart and Dr Aaron Goodwin-Jones are responsible for coordinating the teams that are conducting research at the European Virgo detector (which is currently in operation) and contributing to developing technologies for the future ET. To this end, they are also collaborating with Professor Clément Lauzin, who specialises in lasers and optics, for the preparation of critical parts of laser interferometers that will be used to detect tiny ripples in space-time caused by gravitational waves.