Sub-Femto-<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>g</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>Free Fall for Space-Based Gravitational Wave Observatories: LISA Pathfinder Results
M. ArmanoEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainH. AudleyMax Planck Institute for Gravitational PhysicsG. AugerAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceJ. BairdHigh Energy Physics Group, Physics Department, Imperial College London, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BW, United KingdomM. BassanDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", and INFN, sezione Roma Tor Vergata, I-00133 Roma, ItalyPierre BinétruyAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceM. BornAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyD. BortoluzziDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, ItalyNico BrandtAirbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornier-Strasse, 88090 Immenstaad, GermanyM CalenoEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsL. CarboneDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyA. CavalleriIstituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, CNR-Fondazione Bruno Kessler, I-38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyA. CesariniDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyG. CianiDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyG. CongedoDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyA. M. CruiseThe School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United KingdomK. DanzmannAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyM. de Deus SilvaEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainR. De RosaDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli "Federico II" and INFN-Sezione di Napoli, I-80126, Napoli, ItalyMarc Díaz-AguilóInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainL. Di FioreINFN-Sezione di Napoli, I-80126, Napoli, ItalyI. DiepholzAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyGeorge DixonThe School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United KingdomR. DolesiDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyN. DunbarAirbus Defence and Space, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AS, United KingdomL. FerraioliInstitut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, CH-8092, Zürich, SwitzerlandV. FerroniDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyWalter FichterUniversitt Stuttgart, Institut fr Flugmechanik und Flugregelung, Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyE. D. FitzsimonsThe UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ, United KingdomR. FlatscherAirbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornier-Strasse, 88090 Immenstaad, GermanyM. FreschiEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainA F García MarínAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyC García MarirrodrigaEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsR. GerndtAirbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornier-Strasse, 88090 Immenstaad, GermanyL. GesaInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainF. GibertDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyD. GiardiniInstitut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, CH-8092, Zürich, SwitzerlandR. GiusteriDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyFelipe GuzmánAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyA. GradoINAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, I-80131 Napoli, Italy and INFN sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, ItalyC. GrimaniDISPEA, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via S. Chiara, 27 61029 Urbino/INFN, ItalyA GrynagierUniversitt Stuttgart, Institut fr Flugmechanik und Flugregelung, Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyJ. GrzymischEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsI. HarrisonEuropean Space Operations Centre, European Space Agency, 64293 Darmstadt, GermanyGerhard HeinzelAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyM. HewitsonAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyD. HollingtonHigh Energy Physics Group, Physics Department, Imperial College London, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BW, United KingdomD. HoylandThe School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United KingdomM. HuellerDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyH. InchauspéAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceO. JennrichEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsP. JetzerPhysik Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, SwitzerlandUlrich JohannAirbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornier-Strasse, 88090 Immenstaad, GermanyB. JohlanderEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsNikolaos KarnesisAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyB. KauneAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyNatalia KorsakovaAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyC. J. KillowSUPA, Institute for Gravitational Research, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United KingdomJ. A. LoboInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainI. LloroInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainL. LiuDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyJ. P. López-ZaragozaInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainR. MaarschalkerweerdEuropean Space Operations Centre, European Space Agency, 64293 Darmstadt, GermanyD. ManceInstitut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, CH-8092, Zürich, SwitzerlandV. MartínInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainL. Martin-PoloEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainJ. MartinoAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceF. Martín-PorquerasEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainS. C. MaddenEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsI MateosInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainP. W. McNamaraEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsJosé F. G. MendesEuropean Space Operations Centre, European Space Agency, 64293 Darmstadt, GermanyL. MendesEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, SpainA. MonskyAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyDaniele NicolodiDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyM. NofraríasInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainS. PaczkowskiAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyM. Perreur-LloydSUPA, Institute for Gravitational Research, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United KingdomA. PetiteauAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceP. PivatoDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyE. PlagnolAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceP. PratAPC, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS/IN2P3, CEA/lrfu, Obs de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, FranceU RagnitEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsB RaisSorbonne Paris CitéJ. Ramos-CastroDepartament d'Enginyeria Electrònica, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, SpainJ. ReicheAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyD. I. RobertsonSUPA, Institute for Gravitational Research, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United KingdomH RozemeijerEuropean Space Technology Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, NetherlandsF. RivasInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainG. RussanoDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications/INFN, 38123 Povo, Trento, ItalyJose SanjuánInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainP SarraA SchleicherAirbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornier-Strasse, 88090 Immenstaad, GermanyD. ShaulHigh Energy Physics Group, Physics Department, Imperial College London, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BW, United KingdomJ. SlutskyGravitational Astrophysics Lab, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USACarlos F. SopuertaInstitut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Campus UAB, Carrer de Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainR. StangaDipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Università degli Studi di Firenze and INFN-Sezione di Firenze, I-50019 Firenze, ItalyFrank SteierAlbert-Einstein-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 38, 30167 Hannover, GermanyT. J. SumnerHigh Energy Physics Group, Physics Department, Imperial College London, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BW, United KingdomD. TexierEuropean Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain
2016lv
ABI
Abstract
We report the first results of the LISA Pathfinder in-flight experiment. The results demonstrate that two free-falling reference test masses, such as those needed for a space-based gravitational wave observatory like LISA, can be put in free fall with a relative acceleration noise with a square root of the power spectral density of 5.2±0.1 fm s^{-2}/sqrt[Hz], or (0.54±0.01)×10^{-15} g/sqrt[Hz], with g the standard gravity, for frequencies between 0.7 and 20 mHz. This value is lower than the LISA Pathfinder requirement by more than a factor 5 and within a factor 1.25 of the requirement for the LISA mission, and is compatible with Brownian noise from viscous damping due to the residual gas surrounding the test masses. Above 60 mHz the acceleration noise is dominated by interferometer displacement readout noise at a level of (34.8±0.3) fm/sqrt[Hz], about 2 orders of magnitude better than requirements. At f≤0.5 mHz we observe a low-frequency tail that stays below 12 fm s^{-2}/sqrt[Hz] down to 0.1 mHz. This performance would allow for a space-based gravitational wave observatory with a sensitivity close to what was originally foreseen for LISA.
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Cited by 20 references