Sensitivity and parameter-estimation precision for alternate LISA configurations

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/25/6/065005zbMATH Open1137.83330arXiv0710.4369OpenAlexW2070745567MaRDI QIDQ5458178FDOQ5458178

Authors: Michele Vallisneri, Jeff Crowder, Massimo Tinto 

Publication date: 11 April 2008

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We describe a simple framework to assess the LISA scientific performance (more specifically, its sensitivity and expected parameter-estimation precision for prescribed gravitational-wave signals) under the assumption of failure of one or two inter-spacecraft laser measurements (links) and of one to four intra-spacecraft laser measurements. We apply the framework to the simple case of measuring the LISA sensitivity to monochromatic circular binaries, and the LISA parameter-estimation precision for the gravitational-wave polarization angle of these systems. Compared to the six-link baseline configuration, the five-link case is characterized by a small loss in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the high-frequency section of the LISA band; the four-link case shows a reduction by a factor of sqrt(2) at low frequencies, and by up to ~2 at high frequencies. The uncertainty in the estimate of polarization, as computed in the Fisher-matrix formalism, also worsens when moving from six to five, and then to four links: this can be explained by the reduced SNR available in those configurations (except for observations shorter than three months, where five and six links do better than four even with the same SNR). In addition, we prove (for generic signals) that the SNR and Fisher matrix are invariant with respect to the choice of a basis of TDI observables; rather, they depend only on which inter-spacecraft and intra-spacecraft measurements are available.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0710.4369

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Observational and experimental questions in relativity and gravitational theory (83B05) Gravitational waves (83C35)

Cited In (6)

• Demonstration of the LISA phase measurement principle
• Progress in the development of a position sensor for LISA drag-free control
• Time-delay interferometry
• Variations in the LISA mission
• COHERENT FOURIER COMPONENTS IN THE LISA MEASUREMENT BANDWIDTH FROM TEST MASS CHARGING: ESTIMATES AND SUPPRESSION
• Sensitivities of alternate LISA configurations

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