38 research outputs found
Compact Multifringe Interferometry with Subpicometer Precision
Deep-frequency-modulation interferometry combines optical minimalism with multifringe readout. However, precision is key for applications such as optical gradiometers for satellite geodesy or as dimensional sensors for ground-based gravity experiments. We present a single-component interferometer smaller than a cubic inch. Two of these are compared to each other to demonstrate tilt and displacement measurements with a precision of less than 20 nrad/Hz and 1 pm/Hz at frequencies below 1 Hz
Phasemeter core for intersatellite laser heterodyne interferometry: modelling, simulations and experiments
Inter satellite laser interferometry is a central component of future
space-borne gravity instruments like LISA, eLISA, NGO and future geodesy
missions. The inherently small laser wavelength allows to measure distance
variations with extremely high precision by interfering a reference beam with a
measurement beam. The readout of such interferometers is often based on
tracking phasemeters, able to measure the phase of an incoming beatnote with
high precision over a wide range of frequencies. The implementation of such
phasemeters is based on all digital phase-locked loops, hosted in FPGAs. Here
we present a precise model of an all digital phase locked loop that allows to
design such a readout algorithm and we support our analysis by numerical
performance measurements and experiments with analog signals.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in CQ
Laser-Frequency Stabilization via a Quasimonolithic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer with Arms of Unequal Length and Balanced dc Readout
Low-frequency high-precision laser interferometry is subject to excess laser-frequency-noise coupling via arm-length differences which is commonly mitigated by locking the frequency to a stable reference system. This approach is crucial to achieve picometer-level sensitivities in the 0.1-mHz to 1-Hz regime, where laser-frequency noise is usually high and couples into the measurement phase via arm-length mismatches in the interferometers. Here we describe the results achieved by frequency stabilizing an external cavity diode laser to a quasimonolithic unequal arm-length Mach-Zehnder interferometer readout at midfringe via balanced detection. We find this stabilization scheme to be an elegant solution combining a minimal number of optical components, no additional laser modulations, and relatively low-frequency-noise levels. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is designed and constructed to minimize the influence of thermal couplings and to reduce undesired stray light using the optical simulation tool ifocad. We achieve frequency-noise levels below 100  Hz/Hz at 1 Hz and are able to demonstrate the LISA frequency prestabilization requirement of 300  Hz/Hz down to frequencies of 100 mHz by beating the stabilized laser with an iodine-locked reference.DFG/SFB/112
Fiber backscatter under increasing exposure to ionizing radiation
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will measure gravitational waves by utilizing inter-satellite laser links between three triangularly-arranged spacecraft in heliocentric orbits. Each spacecraft will house two separate optical benches and needs to establish a phase reference between the two optical benches which requires a bidirectional optical connection, e.g. a fiber connection. The sensitivity of the reference interferometers, and thus of the gravitational wave measurement, could be hampered by backscattering of laser light within optical fibers. It is not yet clear if the backscatter within the fibers will remain constant during the mission duration, or if it will increase due to ionizing radiation in the space environment. Here we report the results of tests on two different fiber types under increasing intensities of ionizing radiation: SM98-PS-U40D by Fujikura, a polarization maintaining fiber, and HB1060Z by Fibercore, a polarizing fiber. We found that both types react differently to the ionizing radiation: The polarization maintaining fibers show a backscatter of about 7 ppm·m−1 which remains constant over increasing exposure. The polarizing fibers show about three times as much backscatter, which also remains constant over increasing exposure. However, the polarizing fibers show a significant degradation in transmission, which is reduced to about one third. © 2020 OSA - The Optical Society. All rights reserved
Optical testbed for the LISA phasemeter
The planned spaceborne gravitational wave detector LISA will allow the detection of gravitational waves at frequencies between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz. A breadboard model for the metrology system aka the phasemeter was developed in the scope of an ESA technology development project by a collaboration between the Albert Einstein Institute, the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish industry partner Axcon Aps. It in particular provides the electronic readout of the main interferometer phases besides auxiliary functions. These include clock noise transfer, ADC pilot tone correction, inter-satellite ranging and data transfer. Besides in LISA, the phasemeter can also be applied in future satellite geodesy missions. Here we show the planning and advances in the implementation of an optical testbed for the full metrology chain. It is based on an ultra-stable hexagonal optical bench. This bench allows the generation of three unequal heterodyne beatnotes with a zero phase combination, thus providing the possibility to probe the phase readout for non-linearities in an optical three signal test. Additionally, the utilization of three independent phasemeters will allow the testing of the auxiliary functions. Once working, components can individually be replaced with flight-qualified hardware in this setup.DLR/50 OQ 1301Bundesministerium f¨ur Wirtschaft und Technologi
Picometer-Stable Hexagonal Optical Bench to Verify LISA Phase Extraction Linearity and Precision
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and its metrology chain have to fulfill stringent performance requirements to enable the space-based detection of gravitational waves. This implies the necessity of performance verification methods. In particular, the extraction of the interferometric phase, implemented by a phasemeter, needs to be probed for linearity and phase noise contributions. This Letter reports on a hexagonal quasimonolithic optical bench implementing a three-signal test for this purpose. Its characterization as sufficiently stable down to picometer levels is presented as well as its usage for a benchmark phasemeter performance measurement under LISA conditions. These results make it a candidate for the core of a LISA metrology verification facility
Breadboard model of the LISA phasemeter
An elegant breadboard model of the LISA phasemeter is currently under
development by a Danish-German consortium. The breadboard is build in the frame
of an ESA technology development activity to demonstrate the feasibility and
readiness of the LISA metrology baseline architecture. This article gives an
overview about the breadboard design and its components, including the
distribution of key functionalities.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, published in ASP Conference Series, Vol. 467, 9th
LISA Symposium (2012), pp 271-27
Readout for intersatellite laser interferometry: Measuring low frequency phase fluctuations of HF signals with microradian precision
Precision phase readout of optical beat note signals is one of the core
techniques required for intersatellite laser interferometry. Future space based
gravitational wave detectors like eLISA require such a readout over a wide
range of MHz frequencies, due to orbit induced Doppler shifts, with a precision
in the order of at frequencies between
and . In this paper, we present phase
readout systems, so-called phasemeters, that are able to achieve such
precisions and we discuss various means that have been employed to reduce noise
in the analogue circuit domain and during digitisation. We also discuss the
influence of some non-linear noise sources in the analogue domain of such
phasemeters. And finally, we present the performance that was achieved during
testing of the elegant breadboard model of the LISA phasemeter, that was
developed in the scope of an ESA technology development activity.Comment: submitted to Review of Scientific Instruments on April 30th 201