In-depth analysis of LISA Pathfinder performance results: Time evolution, noise projection, physical models, and implications for LISA
Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Nofrarias, M.; Armano, M.; Audley, H.; Baird, J.; Binetruy, P.; Born, M.; Bortoluzzi, D.; Castelli, E.; Cavalleri, A.; Cesarini, A.; Cruise, A. M.; Danzmann, K.; Diepholz, I.; Dixon, G.; Dolesi, R.; Ferraioli, L.; Ferroni, V.; Fitzsimons, E. D.; Freschi, M.; Gesa, L.; Giardini, D.; Gibert, F.; Giusteri, R.; Grimani, C.; Grzymisch, J.; Harrison, I.; Heinzel, G.; Hewitson, M.; Hollington, D.; Hoyland, D.; Hueller, M.; Inchauspé, H.; Jennrich, O.; Jetzer, P.; Karnesis, N.; Kaune, B.; Korsakova, N.; Killow, C. J.; Lobo, J. A.; López-Zaragoza, J. P.; Maarschalkerweerd, R.; Mance, D.; Martín, V.; Martin-Polo, L.; Martin-Porqueras, F.; Martino, J.; McNamara, P. W.; Mendes, J.; Meshksar, N.; Paczkowski, S.; Perreur-Lloyd, M.; Petiteau, A.; Plagnol, E.; Ramos-Castro, J.; Reiche, J.; Rivas, F.; Robertson, D. I.; Sala, L.; Slutsky, J.; Sopuerta, C. F.; Sumner, T.; Texier, D.; Thorpe, J. I.; Vetrugno, D.; Vitale, S.; Wanner, G.; Ward, H.; Weber, W. J.; Wissel, L.; Wittchen, A.; Zweifel, P.; LISA Pathfinder Collaboration; Johlander, B.; Wass, P.; Zanoni, C.; Chiavegato, V.; Dal Bosco, D.; De Deus Silva, M.; Hartig, M. S.
Spain, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands, United States
Abstract
We present an in-depth analysis of the LISA Pathfinder differential acceleration performance over the entire course of its science operations, spanning approximately 500 days. We find: (1) The evolution of the Brownian noise that dominates the acceleration amplitude spectral density (ASD), for frequencies f≳1 mHz, is consistent with the decaying pressure due to the outgassing of a single gaseous species. (2) Between f=36 μHz and 1 mHz, the acceleration ASD shows a 1/f tail in excess of the Brownian noise of almost constant amplitude, with ≃20% fluctuations over a period of a few days, with no particular time pattern over the course of the mission. (3) At the lowest considered frequency of f=18 μHz, the ASD significantly deviates from the 1/f behavior, because of temperature fluctuations that appear to modulate a quasistatic pressure gradient, sustained by the asymmetries of the outgassing pattern. We also present the results of a projection of the observed acceleration noise on the potential sources for which we had either a direct correlation measurement or a quantitative estimate from dedicated experiments. These sources account for approximately 40% of the noise power in the 1/f tail. Finally, we analyze the possible sources of the remaining unexplained fraction and identify the possible measures that may be taken to keep those under control in LISA.