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Upper limits to surface force disturbances on LISA proof masses and the possibility of observing galactic binaries

Ludovico Carbone·Giacomo Ciani·Rita Dolesi·Mauro Hueller·David Tombolato·Stefano Vitale·William Joseph Weber·Antonella Cavalleri
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Abstract

We report on the measurement of parasitic surface force noise on a hollow replica of a LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna for the observation of gravitational waves) proof mass surrounded by a faithful representation of its in flight surroundings, namely the capacitive sensor used to detect proof-mass motion. Parasitic forces are detected through the corresponding torque exerted on the proof mass and measured with a torsion pendulum in the frequency range 0.1 30 mHz. The sensor electrodes, electrode housing and associated readout electronics have the same nominal design as for the flight hardware, including 4 mm gaps around the proof mass along the sensitive laser interferometry axis. We show that the measured upper limit for surface forces would allow detection of a number of galactic binaries signals with signal to noise ratio up to approximately 40 for 1 year integration. We also discuss how the flight test under development, LISA Pathfinder, will substantially improve this limit, approaching the performance required for LISA.

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Ludovico Carbone, Giacomo Ciani, Rita Dolesi, Mauro Hueller, David Tombolato, Stefano Vitale, William Joseph Weber, Antonella Cavalleri. 2006-11-08. Upper limits to surface force disturbances on LISA proof masses and the possibility of observing galactic binaries. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.75.042001

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