A Demonstration of LISA Laser Communication

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that applying medium frequency phase modulations to laser beams in a table-top interferometer does not degrade the phase resolution of the LISA science fringe signal, supporting the feasibility of laser communication links.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that medium frequency phase modulations do not compromise LISA's phase measurement stability.

Findings

Phase resolution remains unaffected by medium frequency modulations.

Modified interferometer successfully tests modulation effects.

Supports use of laser communication links in LISA.

Abstract

Over the past few years questions have been raised concerning the use of laser communications links between sciencecraft to transmit phase information crucial to the reduction of laser frequency noise in the LISA science measurement. The concern is that applying medium frequency phase modulations to the laser carrier could compromise the phase stability of the LISA fringe signal. We have modified the table-top interferometer presented in a previous article by applying phase modulations to the laser beams in order to evaluate the effects of such modulations on the LISA science fringe signal. We have demonstrated that the phase resolution of the science signal is not degraded by the presence of medium frequency phase modulations.