Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 37: Precision measurements and metrology IV (with Q)

A 37.3: Talk

Thursday, March 21, 2013, 14:45–15:00, F 128

Ground-based characterisation of the LISA Pathfinder optical measurement system — •Andreas Wittchen, Martin Hewitson, Heather Audley, Natalia Korsakova, Gerhard Heinzel, and Karsten Danzmann — Max-Planck Institut/AEI Hannover

A space-based gravitational wave detector, the laser interferometer space antenna (LISA), is currently being developed. LISA consists of three identical satellites, forming an equilateral triangle with million kilometre armlengths. To develop and test key technologies required, a test satellite, LISA Pathfinder, will be launched. This satellite contains a pair of free-floating test masses. The distance between the test masses will be precisely measured interferometrically. One of the key components of the measurement system is the optical bench, consisting of four interferometers. An engineering model optical bench is available at the Albert Einstein Institute, Hannover. It is currently used for system characterisation experiments, and will be integrated in a ground based test bed for use during in-flight operations. In this contribution the optical bench will be introduced and the current preparations for the mission are explained.