Compact laser interferometer for translation and tilt measurement as optical readout for the LISA inertial sensor

Thilo Schuldt; Martin Gohlke; Dennis Weise; Ulrich Johann; Achim Peters; Claus Braxmaier

doi:10.1117/12.754211

10 October 2007 Compact laser interferometer for translation and tilt measurement as optical readout for the LISA inertial sensor

Thilo Schuldt, Martin Gohlke, Dennis Weise, Ulrich Johann, Achim Peters, Claus Braxmaier

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6716, Optomechatronic Sensors and Instrumentation III; 67160F (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.754211
Event: International Symposium on Optomechatronic Technologies, 2007, Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract

The space mission LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) aims at detecting gravitational waves in the frequency range 30 μ Hz to 1Hz. Free flying proof masses inside the satellites act as inertial sensors and represent the end mirrors of the interferometer. In the current baseline design, LISA utilizes an optical readout of the position and tilt of the proof mass with respect to the satellite housing. This readout must have ~ 5pm/√Hz sensitivity for the translation measurement (for frequencies above 2.8mHz with an ƒ^-2 relaxation down to 30 μHz) and ~ 10 nrad/√Hz sensitivity for the tilt measurement (for frequencies above 0.1mHz with an ƒ^-1 relaxation down to 30 μHz). The University of Applied Sciences Konstanz (HTWG) ‐ in collaboration with Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen, and the Humboldt-University Berlin ‐ therefore develops a highly symmetric heterodyne interferometer implementing differential wavefront sensing for the tilt measurement. We realized a mechanically highly stable and compact setup. In a second, improved setup we measured initial noise levels below 5 pm/√Hz and 10 nrad/√Hz, respectively, for frequencies above 10mHz.

Citation Download Citation

Thilo Schuldt, Martin Gohlke, Dennis Weise, Ulrich Johann, Achim Peters, and Claus Braxmaier "Compact laser interferometer for translation and tilt measurement as optical readout for the LISA inertial sensor", Proc. SPIE 6716, Optomechatronic Sensors and Instrumentation III, 67160F (10 October 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.754211

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