Characterization of disturbance sources for LISA: torsion pendulum results

Abstract

A torsion pendulum allows ground-based investigation of the purity of free-fall for the LISA test masses inside their capacitive position sensor. This paper presents recent improvements in our torsion pendulum facility that have both increased the pendulum sensitivity and allowed detailed characterization of several important sources of acceleration noise for the LISA test masses. We discuss here an improved upper limit on random force noise originating in the sensor. Additionally, we present new measurement techniques and preliminary results for characterizing the forces caused by the sensor's residual electrostatic fields, dielectric losses, residual spring-like coupling, and temperature gradients.

arXiv comment11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication Classical and Quantum Gravity

References in corpus (3)

• Achieving geodetic motion for LISA test masses: ground testing result
• Measuring random force noise for LISA aboard the LISA Pathfinder mission
• Upper limits on stray force noise for LISA

Cited by in corpus (10)

• LISA technology and instrumentation
• Temporal Extent of Surface Potentials between Closely Spaced Metals
• The interaction between stray electrostatic fields and a charged free-falling test mass
• Thermal gradient-induced forces on geodetic reference masses for LISA
• Measuring the LISA test mass magnetic proprieties with a torsion pendulum
• On-ground tests of LISA PathFinder thermal diagnostics system
• Upper limits to surface force disturbances on LISA proof masses and the possibility of observing galactic binaries
• LISA Pathfinder Performance Confirmed in an Open-Loop Configuration: Results from the Free-Fall Actuation Mode
• Torsion pendulum revisited
• Unbiased acceleration measurements with an electrostatic accelerometer on a rotating platform