Sensor noise in LISA Pathfinder

An extensive in-flight review of the angular and longitudinal interferometric measurement system

authored by
M. Armano, H. Audley, J. Baird, P. Binetruy, M. Born, D. Bortoluzzi, N. Brandt, E. Castelli, A. Cavalleri, A. Cesarini, A. m. Cruise, K. Danzmann, M. De deus silva, I. Diepholz, G. Dixon, R. Dolesi, L. Ferraioli, V. Ferroni, E. d. Fitzsimons, R. Flatscher, M. Freschi, A. García, R. Gerndt, L. Gesa, D. Giardini, F. Gibert, R. Giusteri, C. Grimani, J. Grzymisch, F. Guzman, I. Harrison, Marie Hartig, G. Hechenblaikner, Gerhard Heinzel, M. Hewitson, D. Hollington, D. Hoyland, M. Hueller, H. Inchauspé, O. Jennrich, P. Jetzer, U. Johann, B. Johlander, N. Karnesis, Brigitte Kaune, C. j. Killow, N. Korsakova, J. a. Lobo, J. p. López-Zaragoza, R. Maarschalkerweerd, D. Mance, V. Martín, L. Martin-Polo, F. Martin-Porqueras, J. Martino, P. w. Mcnamara, J. Mendes, L. Mendes, N. Meshksar, A. Monsky, M. Nofrarias, S. Paczkowski, M. Perreur-Lloyd, A. Petiteau, E. Plagnol, J. Ramos-Castro, J. Reiche, F. Rivas, D. i. Robertson, G. Russano, J. Sanjuan, J. Slutsky, C. f. Sopuerta, F. Steier, T. Sumner, D. Texier, J. i. Thorpe, D. Vetrugno, S. Vitale, V. Wand, G. Wanner, H. Ward, P. j. Wass, W. j. Weber, L. Wissel, A. Wittchen, P. Zweifel
Abstract

In a previous article [1], we have reported on the first subpicometer interferometer flown in space as part of ESA's LISA Pathfinder mission, and have shown the residual sensor noise to be on the level of 32.0-1.7+2.4 fm/Hz. This review provides a deeper and more complete overview of the full system and its interferometric mission performance under varying operational conditions, allowing a much more detailed view on the noise model. We also include the optical measurements of rotations through differential wave front sensing (DWS), which reached a sensitivity of as good as 100 prad/Hz. We present more evidence for the long-term stability of the interferometric performance and components. This proves a solid foundation for future interferometry in space such as the LISA mission.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Gravitation Physics
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
Institute of Quantum Optics
QuantumFrontiers
External Organisation(s)
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)
Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
Type
Article
Journal
Physical Review D
Volume
106
ISSN
2470-0010
Publication date
15.10.2022
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.106.082001 (Access: Open)