Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 49: Precision Measurements and Metrology VI

Q 49.4: Talk

Thursday, March 11, 2010, 14:45–15:00, A 310

Modeling interferometers for space based observations of Earth's variable gravity field — •Christoph Mahrdt, Benjamin Sheard, Marina Dehne, Gerhard Heinzel, and Karsten Danzmann — Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Institut für Gravitationsphysik der Leibniz Universität Hannover (Albert-Einstein-Institut)

Space based observation of Earth's time variable gravity field (GRACE) has led to new insights into the mechanisms of mass transport within the Earth. A mission to continue the observations but also improve the sensitivity of the experiment is highly desired. Substitution of the microwave ranging system by a Laser interferometer has been proposed as a way of improving the ranging sensitivity. One significant issue is the pointing between the satellites and in particular the dynamic pointing error (jitter) which will couple into the range measurement. A software toolkit to optimise the optical bench based on tracing of general astigmatic Gaussian beams and higher order Gaussian Hermite modes is being developed. I will give a short introduction to pointing jitter and present the status of the simulations.