R&D on thermal noise in Europe: the Strega Project

The design of cryogenic interferometers and quantum limited ultra-cryogenic resonators (3rd generation Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors) is driving the R&D activities in the area of thermal noise reduction at low temperature. The project Strega coordinates the R&D activities of 18 labs in Europe involved in Interferometric, Resonant and Electromagnetic Detectors. The aim of the collaboration is to develop a technology that will reduce the thermal noise in the third generation detectors 10 times with respect to the second generation (advanced resonators and advanced room temperature interferometers). The work carried out in Strega, in the areas of Materials, Cryogenics and Thermal Noise specific Studies after 14 months since the project started, will be reviewed.