Scientific Potential of Einstein Telescope

2011 Gravitational Waves and Experimental Gravity, eds Etienne Auge and Jacques Dumarchez and Jean Tran Thanh Van, The Gioi Publishers, Vietnam Einstein gravitational-wave Telescope (ET) is a design study funded by the European Commission to explore the technological challenges of and scientific benefits from building a third generation gravitational wave detector. The three-year study, which concluded earlier this year, has formulated the conceptual design of an observatory that can support the implementation of new technology for the next two to three decades. The goal of this talk is to introduce the audience to the overall aims and objectives of the project and to enumerate ET's potential to influence our understanding of fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology.