Robertson, D.I. et al. (2013) Construction and testing of the optical bench for LISA pathfinder. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 30(8), Art. 085006. (doi: 10.1088/0264-9381/30/8/085006)
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Abstract
eLISA is a space mission designed to measure gravitational radiation over a frequency range of 0.1–100 mHz (European Space Agency LISA Assessment Study Report 2011). It uses laser interferometry to measure changes of order $10\,{\rm pm /\sqrt{Hz}}$ in the separation of inertial test masses housed in spacecraft separated by 1 million km. LISA Pathfinder (LPF) is a technology demonstrator mission that will test the key eLISA technologies of inertial test masses monitored by laser interferometry in a drag-free spacecraft. The optical bench that provides the interferometry for LPF must meet a number of stringent requirements: the optical path must be stable at the few ${\rm pm /\sqrt{Hz}}$ level; it must direct the optical beams onto the inertial masses with an accuracy of better than ±25 μm, and it must be robust enough not only to survive launch vibrations but to achieve full performance after launch. In this paper we describe the construction and testing of the flight optical bench for LISA Pathfinder that meets all the design requirements.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Robertson, Dr David and Ward, Professor Henry and Perreur-Lloyd, Mr Michael and Fitzsimons, Dr Ewan and Killow, Dr Christian |
Authors: | Robertson, D.I., Fitzsimons, E.D., Killow, C.J., Perreur-Lloyd, M., Ward, H., Bryant, J., Cruise, A.M., Dixon, G., Hoyland, D., Smith, D., and Bogenstahl, J. |
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 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd. |
First Published: | First published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 30(8):085006 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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