Progress towards an electro-optical simulator for space based, long arms interferometers

TL;DR

This paper reports progress on developing an electro-optical simulator for space-based long-arm interferometers, aiming to generate realistic signals and validate the experiment's principle for missions like eLISA.

Contribution

It introduces a new simulator setup that mimics realistic propagation delays and signals for space interferometry, with initial noise reduction achievements and validation of the experimental concept.

Findings

Achieved a $10^6$ noise reduction factor using Time Delay Interferometry

Validated the principle of the electro-optical simulator

Ongoing work to identify noise sources and optimize the system

Abstract

We report the progress in the realization of an electronic / optical simulator for space based, long arm interferometry and its application to the eLISA mission. The goal of this work is to generate realistic optics and electronics signals, especially simulating realistic propagation delays. The first measurements and characterization of this experiment are also presented. With the present configuration a modest $10^6$ noise reduction factor has been achieved using the Time Delay Interferometry algorithm. However, the principle of the experiment has been validated and further work is ongoing to identify the noise sources and optimize the apparatus.