Upper limits to surface force disturbances on LISA proof masses and the possibility of observing galactic binaries

Nov, 2006
5 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 75 (2007) 042001
e-Print:

Citations per year

200720112015201920231032
Abstract: (arXiv)
We report on the measurement of parasitic surface force noise on a hollow replica of a LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna for the observation of gravitational waves) proof mass surrounded by a faithful representation of its in flight surroundings, namely the capacitive sensor used to detect proof-mass motion. Parasitic forces are detected through the corresponding torque exerted on the proof mass and measured with a torsion pendulum in the frequency range 0.1 30 mHz. The sensor electrodes, electrode housing and associated readout electronics have the same nominal design as for the flight hardware, including 4 mm gaps around the proof mass along the sensitive laser interferometry axis. We show that the measured upper limit for surface forces would allow detection of a number of galactic binaries signals with signal to noise ratio up to approximately 40 for 1 year integration. We also discuss how the flight test under development, LISA Pathfinder, will substantially improve this limit, approaching the performance required for LISA.
  • 95.55.Ym
  • 04.80.Nn
  • 07.87.+v
  • LISA
  • laser: interferometer
  • noise
  • mass
  • force: surface
  • experimental methods: torsion
  • electronics