Autumn workshops: Driving ET technology forward

3rd ET-LF Tower Integration Workshop

Isola d’Elba, Italy (28 Sept – 1 Oct)

This workshop organised by ET-ISB Divisions I (Suspension) and IV (Vacuum and Cryogenics) focused on the design of the low-frequency test mass tower — the structure that will hold and protect one of the detector’s most important components: a large, ultra-stable mirror used to measure tiny changes in space caused by passing gravitational waves.

The discussions covered:

• progress on the super-attenuator, the system that keeps the mirror isolated from vibrations
• how to optimise the distribution of the forces to control the different degrees of freedom of the payload, i.e.  the last stages of the mirror suspension
• how the super-attenuator will be combined with the cryostat, which cools the system
• planning the steps toward the baseline design of the full tower

Materials for Advanced Detectors 2025 (#MAD25)

Berlin, Germany (6–7 Oct)

Hosted by the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), this workshop brought together gravitational-wave researchers, materials scientists, and industry partners. The focus was on new crystals and advanced materials needed to build the highly sensitive components of the Einstein Telescope. Participants also exchanged ideas during lab tours, presentations, and networking sessions.

Together, these workshops strengthened interdisciplinary cooperation and supported important technological steps toward the realisation of ET.