Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Future gravitational wave missions call for an improved inertial reference sensor, for which we propose an actively despun sphere. We investigate in detail the technique and potential performance for such an actively decelerated spherical test mass. This approach shifts surface contributions below the measurement bandwidth of Millihertz gravitational wave observatories. A single spherical test mass enables true drag-free operation and promises reduced environmental noise. The attitude is controlled using magnetically induced Eddy currents, potentially without any active test mass control during science operation. We show that such approach imposes few technical challenges and uncertainties compared to other approaches using spherical or cubical test masses, and can enable the lowest levels of cross-coupling of noise while even adding the capability to eliminate external magnetic disturbances.
Authors:
Alexander Schultze (Presenting)
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Dennis Weise
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Alexander Sell
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Claus Braxmaier
Universität Ulm, Institut für Mikroelektronik, Ulm, Germany
Future gravitational wave missions call for an improved inertial reference sensor, for which we propose an actively despun sphere. We investigate in detail the technique and potential performance for such an actively decelerated spherical test mass. This approach shifts surface contributions below the measurement bandwidth of Millihertz gravitational wave observatories. A single spherical test mass enables true drag-free operation and promises reduced environmental noise. The attitude is controlled using magnetically induced Eddy currents, potentially without any active test mass control during science operation. We show that such approach imposes few technical challenges and uncertainties compared to other approaches using spherical or cubical test masses, and can enable the lowest levels of cross-coupling of noise while even adding the capability to eliminate external magnetic disturbances.
Authors:
Alexander Schultze (Presenting)
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Dennis Weise
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Alexander Sell
Airbus DS, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Claus Braxmaier
Universität Ulm, Institut für Mikroelektronik, Ulm, Germany
