Detailed calculation of test-mass charging in the LISA mission
File(s)0405522v3.pdf (1.4 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Araujo, HM
Wass, P
Shaul, D
Rochester, G
Sumner, TJ
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The electrostatic charging of the LISA test masses due to exposure of the spacecraft to energetic particles in the space environment has implications in the design and operation of the gravitational inertial sensors and can affect the quality of the science data. Robust predictions of charging rates and associated stochastic fluctuations are therefore required for the exposure scenarios expected throughout the mission. We report on detailed charging simulations with the Geant4 toolkit, using comprehensive geometry and physics models, for Galactic cosmic-ray protons and helium nuclei. These predict positive charging rates of 50+e/s (elementary charges per second) for solar minimum conditions, decreasing by half at solar maximum, and current fluctuations of up to 30+e/s/Hz1/2. Charging from sporadic solar events involving energetic protons was also investigated. Using an event-size distribution model, we conclude that their impact on the LISA science data is manageable. Several physical processes hitherto unexplored as potential charging mechanisms have also been assessed. Significantly, the kinetic emission of very low-energy secondary electrons due to bombardment of the inertial sensors by primary cosmic rays and their secondaries can produce charging currents comparable with the Monte Carlo rates.
Date Issued
2005-01-01
Date Acceptance
2004-09-28
Citation
Astroparticle Physics, 2005, 22 (5-6), pp.451-469
ISSN
1873-2852
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
451
End Page
469
Journal / Book Title
Astroparticle Physics
Volume
22
Issue
5-6
Copyright Statement
© 2005, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Physics, Particles & Fields
Physics
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
PHYSICS, PARTICLES & FIELDS
LISA
space environment
ELECTRON-EMISSION YIELD
ENERGY-LOSS
AU
AL
CU
SOLIDS
IONS
GOLD
SIMULATION
TRANSPORT
Publication Status
Published