The Einstein Telescope is a future underground scientific infrastructure with advanced instrumentation and an ultra-high vacuum. That means it faces similar challenges to large (future) underground colliders, which makes a collaboration with CERN extremely useful. In October 2022 and September 2023, agreements were already signed for collaborations on vacuum, materials, manufacturing and civil engineering. A new agreement was signed in March 2025 between the Einstein Telescope Organisation (ETO) and CERN, focusing on engineering and safety.
ETO’s Head of Engineering Patrick Werneke, is enthusiastic about the new agreement. “The Einstein Telescope and CERN share several similarities, particularly in vacuum technology, large-scale infrastructure projects, deep-underground civil engineering, technical infrastructure, and safety management. Expanding our collaboration with CERN is therefore crucial for the Einstein Telescope, given the complexity and scale of our underground facility. This partnership has the potential to significantly accelerate our progress.”
During recent years, the Einstein Telescope and CERN have developed a strong collaboration, explains ETO director Fernando Ferroni. “The Einstein Telescope is a CERN recognized experiment, meaning that it is authorised to call for CERN help in several sectors following specific agreements. And we have already developed very strong relations with the technical departments of CERN. Their experience is key for providing help in designing the entire technical infrastructure that will instrument the tunnel, and the caverns excavated for hosting the interferometers.”
Jean-Philippe Tock of CERN’s Engineering department is equally enthusiastic about the new agreement. “This collaboration is in alignment with CERN’s expertise, mission and ongoing work on the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project and is a unique opportunity to leverage significant synergies in underground infrastructure and large-scale safety systems. Given that the challenges and solutions developed for the Einstein Telescope will directly overlap with those of the FCC, this collaboration will enable a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, expertise and innovation.”
