2422892
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Equipment: Cosmic Explorer Beamtube Experiment - The 2015 discovery and ongoing observations of gravitational waves by NSF's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have transformed mankind's perception of the universe, revolutionizing modern astrophysics, cosmology, and general relativity.
Upgrades to the 4-kilometer LIGO detectors continue to expand their horizons, but LIGO can ultimately only access the local gravitational neighborhood.
To achieve a cosmological reach, complement traditional modes of observation, and gravitationally probe the universe back to its infancy will require larger-scale “next-generation” interferometers.
The planned Cosmic Explorer (CE) Observatory, ten times larger than LIGO, will maintain and advance US leadership in this revolutionary new field.
However, constructing the 40-km ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) laser beamtubes needed to realize CE represents a key technical challenge.
This award will support the development and testing of scalable technology to implement high-performance, reliable, and economical vacuum beamtubes at the largest physical scale ever attempted, on a timescale compatible with CE construction and observations.
By helping to enable CE, the Cosmic Explorer Beamtube Experiment (CEBEX) advances gravitational wave observational science, while projecting novel studies of ultrahigh vacuum environments for physical science research, manufacturing technology, and surface science into new realms.
Under this award, the CEBEX team, based at LIGO Hanford Observatory, will design, construct, and test a 1.2m diameter by 120m long prototype UHV beamtube section as a technology pathfinder for the CE Observatory.
The scale of this activity requires the construction of a purpose-built lab structure on available land at the current LIGO site.
Beamtube materials, construction methods, and industrial processes will be implemented and tested to confirm feasibility, scalability, and compliance with CE requirements.
In the final year of the planned 4.25-year award, the team will apply the results of this research to deliver to NSF an efficient conceptual reference design, parametric cost estimate, and schedule framework for CE beamtube construction.
These will form key underpinnings of pending future CE design and construction initiatives.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Upgrades to the 4-kilometer LIGO detectors continue to expand their horizons, but LIGO can ultimately only access the local gravitational neighborhood.
To achieve a cosmological reach, complement traditional modes of observation, and gravitationally probe the universe back to its infancy will require larger-scale “next-generation” interferometers.
The planned Cosmic Explorer (CE) Observatory, ten times larger than LIGO, will maintain and advance US leadership in this revolutionary new field.
However, constructing the 40-km ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) laser beamtubes needed to realize CE represents a key technical challenge.
This award will support the development and testing of scalable technology to implement high-performance, reliable, and economical vacuum beamtubes at the largest physical scale ever attempted, on a timescale compatible with CE construction and observations.
By helping to enable CE, the Cosmic Explorer Beamtube Experiment (CEBEX) advances gravitational wave observational science, while projecting novel studies of ultrahigh vacuum environments for physical science research, manufacturing technology, and surface science into new realms.
Under this award, the CEBEX team, based at LIGO Hanford Observatory, will design, construct, and test a 1.2m diameter by 120m long prototype UHV beamtube section as a technology pathfinder for the CE Observatory.
The scale of this activity requires the construction of a purpose-built lab structure on available land at the current LIGO site.
Beamtube materials, construction methods, and industrial processes will be implemented and tested to confirm feasibility, scalability, and compliance with CE requirements.
In the final year of the planned 4.25-year award, the team will apply the results of this research to deliver to NSF an efficient conceptual reference design, parametric cost estimate, and schedule framework for CE beamtube construction.
These will form key underpinnings of pending future CE design and construction initiatives.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "DIVISION OF PHYSICS: INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED RESEARCH PROJECTS", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23615
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Pasadena,
California
91125-0001
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 721% from $977,600 to $8,028,057.
California Institute Of Technology was awarded
CEBEX: Ultrahigh-Vacuum Beamtube Tech for Cosmic Explorer
Cooperative Agreement 2422892
worth $8,028,057
from Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences in August 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Pasadena California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 1 months and
was awarded through assistance program 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Division of Physics: Investigator-Initiated Research Projects.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 9/10/25
Period of Performance
8/1/24
Start Date
9/30/28
End Date
Funding Split
$8.0M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$8.0M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2422892
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2422892
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
490301 DIVISION OF PHYSICS
Funding Office
490306 MPS MULTIDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES
Awardee UEI
U2JMKHNS5TG4
Awardee CAGE
80707
Performance District
CA-28
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 9/10/25