We discuss four technologies applicable to precision measurements in space and on the ground. The first is our tracking frequency laser distance gauge (TFG), which we developed ca. 1990 for a spaceborne astrometric optical interferometer, POINTS, and which we are using today for our principle of equivalence measurement (POEM), a laboratory test of the equivalence principle. The second is an extension of the TFG to use a semiconductor laser (SL-TFG) with the intention to make the instrument more robust and applicable to space-based experiments. In particular, we wish to apply the SL-TFG to a version of POEM that could operate in space at substantially higher accuracy. Further, some versions of the SL-TFG have reduced complexity and thus have enhanced reliability and reduced cost. The third technology is an approach to using the TFG as part of an extended spacebased optical instrument. We discuss the launching of multiple beams from a single device as a means of achieving a “strong optical truss” without excess complexity or endpoint connection error. The fourth and final technology is for creating a brief period of free fall in the laboratory, and being able to repeat the free-fall rapidly. This technology is a key part of POEM.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
K.G. Carpenter, C.J. Schrijver, R.G. Lyon, L.G. Mundy, R.J. Allen, J.T. Armstrong, W.C. Danchi, M. Karovska, J. Marzouk, L.M. Mazzuca, D. Mozurkewich, S.G. Neff, T.A. Pauls, J. Rajagopal, G. Solyar, and X. Zhang: “The Stellar Imager (SI) Mission Concept,” in Proceedings of the SPIE Confer-ence #4854 on Future EUV/UV and Visible Space Astrophysics Missions and Instrumentation, J. Chris Blades and Oswald H. W. Siegmund, eds., 293 (2003). See also http://hires.gsfc.nasa.gov/∼si.
C.K.G. Carpenter, C.J. Schrijver, R.J. Allen, A. Brown, D. Chenette, W.C. Danchi, M. Karovska, S. Kilston, R.G. Lyon, J. Marzouk, L.M. Mazzuca, R.V. Moe, F. Walter, and N. Murphy: “The Stellar Imager (SI): a revolutionary large-baseline imaging interferometer at the Sun-Earth L2 point,” in Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #5491 on New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry, Wesley Traub, ed., 243 (2004).
W. Cash and K.C. Gendreau: “MAXIM Science and Technology,” in Proceed-ings of the SPIE Conference #5491 on New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry, Wesley Traub, ed., 199 (2004).
T. Damour: “Testing the equivalency principle: why and how?,” Class. Quantum Grav. 13, A33-A41 (1996).
Y. Gursel: “Metrology for spatial interferometry,” in Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #2200 on Amplitude and Intensity Spatial Interferometry II, James B. Breckinridge, ed., 2200, 27-34 (1994).
Y. Gursel: “Metrology for spatial interferometry V,” in The Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #3350 on Astronomical Interferometry, Robert D. Reasenberg, ed., 3350, 571-587 (1998), and references therein.
P.G. Halverson and R.E. Spero: “Signal processing and testing of displacement metrology gauges with picometre-scale cyclic nonlinearity,” Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics 4(6): S304-S310 (2002).
J. Lawall and E. Kessler: “Michelson interferometry with 10 pm accuracy,” Review of Scientific Instruments 71, 2669-2676 (2000).
E.C. Lorenzini, I.I. Shapiro, et al.: Nuovo Cimento 109B, 1195 (1994).
M. Ohtsu: “Realization of ultrahigh coherence in semiconductor lasers by negative electrical feedback,” Journal of Lightwave Technology 6, 245 (1988).
J.D. Phillips, M. Karovska, and R.D. Reasenberg: “Approaches to Metrology and Pointing for a Long Baseline UV/Optical Imaging Interferometer in Space,” BAAS 36(2), #8.11 (2004a).
J.D. Phillips, K.G. Carpenter, K.C. Gendreau, P. Kaaret, M. Karovska, and R.D. Reasenberg: “Metrology and Pointing for Astronomical Interferometers,” in the Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #5491 on New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry, Wesley Traub, ed., 319-329 (2004b).
J.D. Phillips and R.D. Reasenberg: “Toward a spaceworthy picometer laser gauge,” in the Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #5495 on Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 320-327 (2004).
J.D. Phillips and R.D. Reasenberg, “Tracking Frequency Laser Distance Gauge,” Review of Scientific Instruments, 76, 064501 (2005).
R.D. Reasenberg, R.W. Babcock, J.F. Chandler, M.V. Gorenstein, J.P. Huchra, M.R. Pearlman, I.I. Shapiro, R.S. Taylor, P. Bender, A. Buffington, B. Carney, J.A. Hughes, K.J. Johnston, B.F. Jones, and L.E. Matson: “Microarcsecond Optical Astrometry: An Instrument and Its Astrophysical Applications,” Astron. J., 32, 1731-1745 (1988).
C.E. Wieman and L. Hollberg: “Using diode lasers for atomic physics,” Rev. Sci. Instr., 62, 1-20 (1991).
C.-M. Wu, J. Lawall, and R.D. Deslattes: “Heterodyne Interferometer with Sub-atomic Periodic Nonlinearity,” Applied Optics 38, 4089-4094 (1999).
F. Zhao, R. Diaz, G.M. Kuan, N. Sigrist, Y. Beregovski, L.L. Ames, and K. Dutta: “SIM Internal Metrology Beam Launcher Development,” in The Proceedings of the SPIE Conference #4852 on “Interferometry in Space,” M. Shao, ed., 4852, 370-379 (2003), and references therein.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Reasenberg, R.D., Phillips, J.D. (2008). Technology for Precision Gravity Measurements. In: Dittus, H., Lammerzahl, C., Turyshev, S.G. (eds) Lasers, Clocks and Drag-Free Control. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 349. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-34376-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-34377-6
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)