arXiv subjects

D. Pascucci

Publications and source records attributed to D. Pascucci.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Radiation Tolerance of Low-Noise Photoreceivers for the LISA Space Mission

This study investigates the effects of space environmental radiation on the performance of InGaAs Quadrant Photodiodes (QPDs) and assesses their suitability for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. QPDs of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm have been irradiated with 20 and 60 MeV protons, 0.5 and 1 MeV electrons, and Co$^{60}$ gamma. An exposure corresponding to a displacement damage equivalent fluence of $1.0 \times 10^{+12}$ p/cm$^2$ for 20 and 60 MeV protons and a total ionizing dose of 237 krad were applied, surpassing the anticipated radiation levels for the LISA mission by a factor of approximately five. Experiments were conducted to measure changes in QPD dark current, capacitance, and responsivity. The QPDs are integrated with a low-noise DC-coupled transimpedance amplifier to form the Photoreceiver (QPR). QPR noise and performance in an interferometric system like LISA were also measured. Although radiation impacted their dark current and responsivity, almost all QPDs met LISA's validation criteria and did not demonstrate any critical failure. These findings prove that the tested QPDs are promising candidates for LISA and other space-based missions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

ETpathfinder: a cryogenic testbed for interferometric gravitational-wave detectors

The third-generation of gravitational wave observatories, such as the Einstein Telescope (ET) and Cosmic Explorer (CE), aim for an improvement in sensitivity of at least a factor of ten over a wide frequency range compared to the current advanced detectors. In order to inform the design of the third-generation detectors and to develop and qualify their subsystems, dedicated test facilities are required. ETpathfinder prototype uses full interferometer configurations and aims to provide a high sensitivity facility in a similar environment as ET. Along with the interferometry at 1550 nm and silicon test masses, ETpathfinder will focus on cryogenic technologies, lasers and optics at 2090 nm and advanced quantum-noise reduction schemes. This paper analyses the underpinning noise contributions and combines them into full noise budgets of the two initially targeted configurations: 1) operating with 1550 nm laser light and at a temperature of 18 K and 2) operating at 2090 nm wavelength and a temperature of 123 K.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Control of a velocity-sensitive audio-band quantum non-demolition interferometer

The Sagnac speed meter interferometer topology can potentially provide enhanced sensitivity to gravitational waves in the audio-band compared to equivalent Michelson interferometers. A challenge with the Sagnac speed meter interferometer arises from the intrinsic lack of sensitivity at low frequencies where the velocity-proportional signal is smaller than the noise associated with the sensing of the signal. Using as an example the on-going proof-of-concept Sagnac speed meter experiment in Glasgow, we quantify the problem and present a solution involving the extraction of a small displacement-proportional signal. This displacement signal can be combined with the existing velocity signal to enhance low frequency sensitivity, and we derive optimal filters to accomplish this for different signal strengths. We show that the extraction of the displacement signal for low frequency control purposes can be performed without reducing significantly the quantum non-demolition character of this type of interferometer.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Quantum noise of non-ideal Sagnac speed meter interferometer with asymmetries

The speed meter concept has been identified as a technique that can potentially provide laser-interferometric measurements at a sensitivity level which surpasses the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) over a broad frequency range. As with other sub-SQL measurement techniques, losses play a central role in speed meter interferometers and they ultimately determine the quantum noise limited sensitivity that can be achieved. So far in the literature, the quantum noise limited sensitivity has only been derived for lossless or lossy cases using certain approximations (for instance that the arm cavity round trip loss is small compared to the arm cavity mirror transmission). In this article we present a generalised, analytical treatment of losses in speed meters that allows accurate calculation of the quantum noise limited sensitivity of Sagnac speed meters with arm cavities. In addition, our analysis allows us to take into account potential imperfections in the interferometer such as an asymmetric beam splitter or differences of the reflectivities of the two arm cavity input mirrors. Finally,we use the examples of the proof-of-concept Sagnac speed meter currently under construction in Glasgow and a potential implementation of a Sagnac speed meter in the Einstein Telescope (ET) to illustrate how our findings affect Sagnac speed meters with meter- and kilometre-long baselines.

quant-ph↗