Quantum fluctuations for drag free geodesic motion
arXiv:quant-ph/9907095 · doi:10.1088/1464-4266/2/2/304
Abstract
The drag free technique is used to force a proof mass to follow a geodesic motion. The mass is protected from perturbations by a cage, and the motion of the latter is actively controlled to follow the motion of the proof mass. We present a theoretical analysis of the effects of quantum fluctuations for this technique. We show that a perfect drag free operation is in principle possible at the quantum level, in spite of the back action exerted on the mass by the position sensor.
4 pages, 1 figure, RevTeX, minor changes