Prof. Dr. Andreas Freise

About Andreas Freise

Andreas Freise's research focuses on instrumentation for gravitational-wave observatories, with a special focus on optical design and interferometry. Andreas Freise has been a member of the gravitational wave community since 1998 when he started working at the GEO 600 detector. He received his PhD from the Albert-Einstein Institute in Hannover (2003) and moved on to help complete the Virgo detector in Pisa (2003-2005) before becoming a faculty member at the University of Birmingham. There he joined the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and eventually became Professor of Experimental Physics and Deputy Director of the Institute for Gravitational Wave Astronomy. Freise pioneered the development of numerical simulations that are essential for the design and commissioning of large laser interferometers. He developed the software FINESSE that is now one of the most widely used interferometer design tools in the field.

Andreas Freise has recently joined the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Nikhef as Professor of Gravitational Wave Physics, his group is contributing to the Virgo project and Andreas continues his efforts to realise the Einstein Telescope, for example, as a member of the ET steering committee and by leading the detector design as the co-chair of the Instrument Science Board.

Andreas Freise has successfully supervised 12 PhD projects, including two CSC-funded projects. For example, the research from the CSC-funded projects has been published in the following articles:

About the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavour – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research. We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad. Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.