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Low-energy electromagnetic processes affecting free-falling test-mass charging for LISA and future space interferometers

Grimani, Catia; Villani, Mattia; Fabi, Michele +1 more

Galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles charge gold-platinum, free-falling test masses (TMs) on board interferometers for the detection of gravitational waves in space. The charging process induces spurious forces on the test masses that affect the sensitivity of these instruments mainly below 10^-3 Hz. Geant4 and FLUKA Monte …