Search Publications
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…
Riding the dark matter wave: Novel limits on general dark photons from LISA Pathfinder
Jaeckel, Joerg; Frerick, Jonas; Kahlhoefer, Felix +1 more
We note the possibility to perform a parametrically improved search for gauged baryon (B) and baryon minus lepton (
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
Estimate of force noise from electrostatic patch potentials in LISA Pathfinder
Ferroni, V.; Sala, L.; Vitale, S. +1 more
This paper discusses force noise in LISA and LISA Pathfinder arising from the interaction of patch potentials on the test mass and surrounding electrode housing surfaces with their own temporal fluctuations. We aim to estimate the contribution of this phenomenon to the force noise detected in LISA Pathfinder in excess of the background from Browni…
Finite Element Analysis of Electrostatic Coupling in LISA Pathfinder Inertial Sensors
Zhang, Wenyan; Lei, Jungang; Wang, Zuolei +4 more
In the LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission, electrostatic noise can reach the femto-Newtonian level despite the fact that the LPF's sensors are equipped with potential shielding. Most of the existing simulation studies focus on the electrostatic edge effect and related fields, while the simulation study of the patch effect is neglected. For that reason,…
LISA and LISA-like mission test-mass charging for gamma-ray burst detection
Grimani, Catia; Villani, Mattia; Fabi, Michele +1 more
Cubic gold-platinum test-masses (TMs) play the role of free-falling geodesic reference and interferometer end mirrors of the future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) observatory for low-frequency gravitational wave detection in space. A similar arrangement has been proposed for the Chinese missions Taiji and TianQin and for the LISA follow…
Measuring the impact of laser relative intensity noise on heterodyne interferometers using differential wavefront sensing
Heinzel, G.; Hewitson, M.; Wissel, L.
Laser-intensity fluctuations cause undesired phase noise even in balanced heterodyne interferometers. However, in space missions in particular, such as LISA Pathfinder or LISA, direct measurements of these fluctuations at the relevant frequencies are often not available. Hence, it can be challenging to estimate their impact on the interference pha…