The free-fall mode experiment on LISA Pathfinder: first results

Abstract

The LISA Pathfinder space mission is testing the critical experimental challenge for LISA by measuring the differential acceleration between two free-falling test masses inside a single co-orbiting spacecraft at a level of sub-femto-g for frequencies down to 0.1mHz. In LPF it is necessary that one test mass (TM) is electrostatically forced to follow the orbit of the other TM. This force represents a noise source in differential acceleration at frequencies below 1mHz. The free-fall mode experiment has been performed in order to reduce this source of noise: the actuation is limited to short impulses on one TM, so that it is in free fall between two successive kicks, while the other TM is drag-free. The free-fall mode thus provides a different technique for measuring the differential TM acceleration without the added force noise and calibration issues introduced by the actuator. Data analysis challenge is related to the presence of the kicks: they represent a high-noise contribution and need to be removed, thus leaving short gaps in data. This article presents preliminary data of the LPF free-fall measurement campaign and describes the three data analysis techniques developed to mitigate the presence of gaps.