WP1 – Monolithic suspension technology
Coordinators: Helios Vocca, (UNIPG)
This work package focuses on developing advanced suspension systems for current and future gravitational-wave detectors such as Virgo, LIGO, KAGRA, and the Einstein Telescope. These suspensions play a crucial role in isolating mirrors from environmental noise, enabling the extremely precise measurements required to detect gravitational waves.
Our research explores the use of single-crystal silicon as a key material for next-generation, cryogenic suspensions. We investigate its mechanical properties, including strength and energy dissipation at low temperatures, to assess its suitability for future detectors.
In parallel, we are developing reliable techniques for handling, assembling, and testing these delicate systems. This includes designing assembly procedures, minimizing contamination risks, and validating full suspension systems under realistic operating conditions using dedicated test facilities.
Another important aspect of the work is the improvement of bonding technologies used to connect suspension elements. In particular, we study hydroxide catalysis bonding and explore methods to safely reverse these bonds when needed, increasing flexibility for maintenance and upgrades.
WP2 – Cryogenic payload
Coordinators: Ettore Majorana (UNIRO)
This work package focuses on the development of cryogenic payload technologies for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors such as Virgo, LIGO, KAGRA, and the Einstein Telescope. Cooling detector components to very low temperatures is essential to reduce thermal noise and improve sensitivity, but it also introduces significant technical challenges in materials, mechanics, and control.
A central activity is the design of advanced suspension systems that combine efficient heat extraction with extremely low mechanical dissipation. In particular, we investigate sapphire-based suspensions and innovative vertical filtering solutions that can simultaneously ensure high thermal conductivity and low noise. These developments are supported by long-standing collaborations with international partners and industry.
In parallel, the work package advances the design of next-generation cryostats, including large-scale systems capable of cooling complex and massive payloads. This involves detailed thermal modelling, development of advanced coatings to improve heat transfer, and solutions to minimize contamination and vibration during operation. These efforts build on existing prototypes and benefit from strong collaboration with the KAGRA community and cryogenic experts.
Finally, the project explores innovative control techniques for cryogenic payloads, including machine-learning-based approaches to damp mechanical motion and stabilize complex suspended systems. These methods aim to address the additional challenges introduced by cryogenic operation, where vibrations can propagate through multiple paths.
WP3 – Quantum noise reduction
Coordinators: Matteo Barsuglia (CNRS)
This work package focuses on advancing quantum noise reduction techniques to enhance the sensitivity of current and future gravitational-wave detectors such as Virgo, LIGO, KAGRA, and the Einstein Telescope. As detectors approach fundamental limits, quantum noise becomes a dominant factor, making techniques like squeezed light essential for further performance improvements.
A key activity is the optimization of optical systems to minimize losses and scattered light, which directly impact the effectiveness of squeezing. This includes the development of low-loss optical components and the refinement of optical designs through both laboratory experiments and full-scale prototypes.
The project also addresses the control of filter cavities and interferometers, which are crucial for implementing frequency-dependent squeezing. Advanced sensing and control strategies are developed to improve mode matching and stability, including during challenging conditions such as thermal transients.
Another important component is the commissioning of squeezing technologies in operational detectors. The work package promotes knowledge exchange and coordination across international collaborations to ensure efficient implementation and continuous improvement of quantum-enhanced detector configurations.
In parallel, the project contributes to the design of third-generation detectors, integrating quantum noise reduction techniques from the outset. It also explores new approaches to squeezing and quantum experiments, including innovative methods and the use of gravitational-wave detectors as platforms for fundamental quantum physics studies involving macroscopic systems.
WP4 – Data analysis
Coordinators: Simone Donati (INFN)
This work package focuses on advancing data analysis methods for gravitational-wave observations, contributing directly to scientific results within the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) collaboration. The goal is to enhance the detection, interpretation, and scientific exploitation of gravitational-wave signals from a wide range of astrophysical sources.
A key activity is the development of advanced detector characterization (DetChar) techniques, including machine-learning-based methods for automatic glitch classification and anomaly detection. These tools improve data quality and are essential for maximizing the sensitivity of gravitational-wave searches.
The work package also targets new discovery opportunities, such as the identification of strongly lensed gravitational waves. This involves improving analysis software to handle large datasets and capture subtle lensing signatures in the data.
Significant effort is dedicated to compact binary searches, the primary source of detected gravitational waves. Beyond standard signals, the project explores rare and extreme systems, including eccentric mergers, intermediate-mass black holes, and other unconventional sources, expanding the scientific reach of current detectors.
In parallel, generic transient searches aim to detect unexpected or previously unknown sources of gravitational waves. These analyses require robust noise mitigation, integration of multiple detectors into a global network, and comparison of different analysis methods to ensure reliability.
Finally, the work package promotes multimessenger astronomy, combining gravitational-wave observations with electromagnetic and neutrino signals. By improving coordination and data exchange between different observatories, this effort enhances the ability to study complex astrophysical events such as supernovae.
WP5 – Management
Coordinators: Mateusz Bawaj (UNIPG)
WP9 is dedicated to ensure the efficient, transparent and productive organization of the project to provide equal opportunities to all participants, and to supervise secondments and organize trainings. WP9 is dedicated also to monitor the activities and the achievement of deliverables, including risks management, and to promote the visibility of the project.
WP6 – Transfer of knowledge
Coordinators:Mario Martinez (IFAE)
WP8 is dedicated to the organization of training activities of personnel and to achieve maximum transfer of knowledge among participants and increase the quality of research and competitiveness of participants.
WP7 – Dissemination and outreach
Coordinators: Massimo Carpinelli (EGO)
WP7 is dedicated to the dissemination of the results to the scientific community through the publication at conferences and on specialised journals. We will promote the communication between the scientific community and the general public to increase the science awareness in society. We will make an effort to educate the general public about particle physics and gravitational wave physics and related areas to demonstrate how fundamental physics contributes to solving very concrete problems and has many practical applications in medicine, homeland security, industry, computing, geology, and geophysics.
Dissemination
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Articles
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Conferences
Gravitational Waves and Detection Technologies – PAS Rome Meeting 2026 – March 16–17, 2026 Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Centre in Rome
Workshops
Kick-off Meeting – GRAVITY, January 27, 2026 (on-line)
Outreach
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Events
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