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Free keywords:
Astrophysics, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, astro-ph.IM, Physics, Instrumentation and Detectors, physics.ins-det, Physics, Optics, physics.optics
Abstract:
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and its metrology chain have to
fulfill stringent performance requirements to enable the space-based detection
of gravitational waves. This implies the necessity of performance verification
methods. In particular, the extraction of the interferometric phase,
implemented by a phasemeter, needs to be probed for linearity and phase noise
contributions. This Letter reports on a hexagonal quasimonolithic optical bench
implementing a three-signal test for this purpose. Its characterization as
sufficiently stable down to picometer levels is presented as well as its usage
for a benchmark phasemeter performance measurement under LISA conditions. These
results make it a candidate for the core of a LISA metrology verification
facility.