The Einstein Telescope: a third-generation gravitational wave observatory

TLDR

Advanced gravitational wave interferometers under development will soon detect waves from astronomical sources, and the future LISA and Einstein Telescope promise the required sensitivity improvements across frequency ranges. To open the era of precision gravitational wave astronomy, a further substantial improvement in sensitivity is required. The paper outlines progress on the Einstein Telescope, currently in its design study phase. The third‑generation observatories’ vastly improved sensitivity will enable detailed measurements of source parameters and complement multi‑messenger observations of cosmological signals.

Abstract

Advanced gravitational wave interferometers, currently under realization, will soon permit the detection of gravitational waves from astronomical sources. To open the era of precision gravitational wave astronomy, a further substantial improvement in sensitivity is required. The future space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna and the third-generation ground-based observatory Einstein Telescope (ET) promise to achieve the required sensitivity improvements in frequency ranges. The vastly improved sensitivity of the third generation of gravitational wave observatories could permit detailed measurements of the sources' physical parameters and could complement, in a multi-messenger approach, the observation of signals emitted by cosmological sources obtained through other kinds of telescopes. This paper describes the progress of the ET project which is currently in its design study phase.