Details
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Aufsatznummer | 125601 |
| Fachzeitschrift | Optical engineering |
| Jahrgang | 45 |
| Ausgabenummer | 12 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 1 Dez. 2006 |
Abstract
In preparation for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) space mission, the prototype engineering model of the LISA-Pathfinder optical bench instrument has been built and tested. The instrument is the central part of an interferometer whose purpose is to measure the separation of two free-loating test masses in the spacecraft, with required accuracy to a noise level of 10 pm/Hz-1/2 between 3 mHz and 30 mHz. This will allow the spacecraft to achieve drag-free flight control to a similar level, as a demonstration of technology capability for detection of gravitational waves in the later LISA mission. The optical bench design, fabrication, and experimental results are described in detail, with attention to the strategies for building and alignment. These are particularly problematic in this instrument due to restrictions on the allowable materials and devices, the limited size, the tight alignment requirements for interferometry and interfaces, and the challenging environment specification for space flight. The finished optical bench was integrated to the complete optical metrology package for system-level tests, which were successful, both in meeting the metrology accuracy and in environmental testing. This verifies the feasibility of the design and build methods demonstrated here for use in the space-flight version.
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Physik und Astronomie (insg.)
- Atom- und Molekularphysik sowie Optik
- Ingenieurwesen (insg.)
- Allgemeiner Maschinenbau
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in: Optical engineering, Jahrgang 45, Nr. 12, 125601, 01.12.2006.
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Forschung › Peer-Review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Prototype optical bench instrument in the interferometer for the LISA-Pathfinder space mission
AU - Middleton, Kevin F.
AU - Caldwell, Martin E.
AU - Edeson, R.
AU - Neeson, C.
AU - Munro, G.
AU - Eley, C.
AU - Sandford, M.
AU - Braxmaier, C.
AU - Johann, U.
AU - Killow, C.
AU - Robertson, D.
AU - Ward, H.
AU - Hough, J.
AU - Heinzel, G.
AU - Wand, V.
PY - 2006/12/1
Y1 - 2006/12/1
N2 - In preparation for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) space mission, the prototype engineering model of the LISA-Pathfinder optical bench instrument has been built and tested. The instrument is the central part of an interferometer whose purpose is to measure the separation of two free-loating test masses in the spacecraft, with required accuracy to a noise level of 10 pm/Hz-1/2 between 3 mHz and 30 mHz. This will allow the spacecraft to achieve drag-free flight control to a similar level, as a demonstration of technology capability for detection of gravitational waves in the later LISA mission. The optical bench design, fabrication, and experimental results are described in detail, with attention to the strategies for building and alignment. These are particularly problematic in this instrument due to restrictions on the allowable materials and devices, the limited size, the tight alignment requirements for interferometry and interfaces, and the challenging environment specification for space flight. The finished optical bench was integrated to the complete optical metrology package for system-level tests, which were successful, both in meeting the metrology accuracy and in environmental testing. This verifies the feasibility of the design and build methods demonstrated here for use in the space-flight version.
AB - In preparation for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) space mission, the prototype engineering model of the LISA-Pathfinder optical bench instrument has been built and tested. The instrument is the central part of an interferometer whose purpose is to measure the separation of two free-loating test masses in the spacecraft, with required accuracy to a noise level of 10 pm/Hz-1/2 between 3 mHz and 30 mHz. This will allow the spacecraft to achieve drag-free flight control to a similar level, as a demonstration of technology capability for detection of gravitational waves in the later LISA mission. The optical bench design, fabrication, and experimental results are described in detail, with attention to the strategies for building and alignment. These are particularly problematic in this instrument due to restrictions on the allowable materials and devices, the limited size, the tight alignment requirements for interferometry and interfaces, and the challenging environment specification for space flight. The finished optical bench was integrated to the complete optical metrology package for system-level tests, which were successful, both in meeting the metrology accuracy and in environmental testing. This verifies the feasibility of the design and build methods demonstrated here for use in the space-flight version.
KW - Alignment
KW - Fundamental physics
KW - Gravitational waves
KW - Interferometry
KW - Silicate bonding
KW - Space optics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947257233&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1117/1.2405348
DO - 10.1117/1.2405348
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33947257233
VL - 45
JO - Optical engineering
JF - Optical engineering
SN - 0091-3286
IS - 12
M1 - 125601
ER -