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In-depth analysis of LISA Pathfinder performance results: Time evolution, noise projection, physical models, and implications for LISA
Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Nofrarias, M. +78 more
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 p…
Sensor noise in L I S A P a t h f i n d e r : Laser frequency noise and its coupling to the optical test mass readout
Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Sanjuan, J. +84 more
The LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the technology needed for the future space borne gravitational wave observatory LISA. A key subsystem under study was the laser interferometer, which measured the changes in relative distance in between two test masses (TMs). It achieved a sensitivity of 32.0-1.7
Nano-Newton electrostatic force actuators for femto-Newton-sensitive measurements: System performance test in the LISA Pathfinder mission
Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Nofrarias, M. +89 more
Electrostatic force actuation is a key component of the system of geodesic reference test masses (TM) for the LISA orbiting gravitational wave observatory and in particular for performance at low frequencies, below 1 mHz, where the observatory sensitivity is limited by stray force noise. The system needs to apply forces of order 10-9 N …
Tilt-to-length coupling in LISA Pathfinder: Long-term stability
Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Sanjuan, J. +75 more
The tilt-to-length coupling during the LISA Pathfinder mission has been numerically and analytically modeled for particular time spans. In this work, we investigate the long-term stability of the coupling coefficients of this noise. We show that they drifted slowly (by