Noise sources in the LTP heterodyne interferometer

Wand, V. et al. (2006) Noise sources in the LTP heterodyne interferometer. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 23(8), S159-S167. (doi: 10.1088/0264-9381/23/8/S21)

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Abstract

The LISA Technology Package uses a heterodyne Mach–Zehnder interferometer to monitor the relative motion of the test masses with picometer accuracy. This paper discusses two classes of noise sources that were identified and investigated during the prototype experiments. Most troublesome are electrically induced sidebands on the light, which give rise to nonlinearities in the interferometer output. Even worse, if the differential pathlength between two optical fibres fluctuates, a noise term of milliradian amplitude appears and completely spoils the performance. We discuss the origin and mitigation of this process. Dissimilar beam shapes of the interfering beams produce another type of noise in conjunction with beam jitter and spatially inhomogeneous photodetectors. To study and minimize this effect, we have built a real-time high-resolution phasefront imaging system that will be used for the production of the flight model.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:From selected papers from the 6th Eduardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves, Okinawa, Japan, 20-24 June 2005.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Bogenstahl, Miss Johanna and Killow, Dr Christian and Hough, Professor James and Ward, Professor Henry and Robertson, Dr David
Authors: Wand, V., Bogenstahl, J., Braxmaier, C., Danzmann, K., Garcia, A., Guzman, F., Heinzel, G., Hough, J., Jennrich, O., Killow, C., Robertson, D., Sodnik, Z., Steier, F., and Ward, H.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Classical and Quantum Gravity
Publisher:Institute of Physics
ISSN:0264-9381
ISSN (Online):1361-6382

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
390881Construction of Optical Bench Sub-Assembly for LISA PathfinderHenry WardParticle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)PP/D507258/1Physics and Astronomy