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Studies for Improved Gravitational Wave SensitivityThe main purpose of this study was to investigate the possible accuracy of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) for studying gravitational waves at frequencies below the usually quoted frequency range of 100 microHz to 1 Hz. The extended frequency range of most interest is from 3 to 100 microHz. During this work, a new source of spurious accelerations of the test masses for LISA that had been overlooked previously was identified. It is one of the main noise contributors at 100 microHz, and rises as the inverse of the frequency to become probably the largest error source at 3 microHz. The new error source is fluctuations in the charge on the test mass due to cosmic ray charging interacting with the electric fields inside the housing that carries the capacitive electrodes for sensing relative motion of the test mass with respect to the housing. Even for zero charge on the test mass, there will be electrical fields acting on each face due to work function differences between the capacitive electrodes and the test mass.
Document ID
20030054475
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Contractor or Grantee Report
Authors
Bender, Peter L.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
May 5, 2003
Subject Category
Astronomy
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-10259
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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