Optical telescope design for a space-based gravitational-wave mission

Shannon R. Sankar; Jeffrey C. Livas

doi:10.1117/12.2056824

2 August 2014 Optical telescope design for a space-based gravitational-wave mission

Shannon R. Sankar, Jeffrey C. Livas

Proceedings Volume 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 914314 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056824
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Space-based gravitational-wave observatories will systematically study the source-rich band of gravitational waves from 0.0001 Hz to 1 Hz. All current designs require propagation of a laser beam from one spacecraft to another over immense distances. An optical telescope is needed for efficient power delivery and its design is driven by the interferometric displacement sensitivity requirements. Here we describe the design for a catoptric telescope that meets those requirements, emphasizing differences from the usual specifications for high quality image formation, and discuss design trade-offs as well as early results from research into scattered light suppression and modeling that may enable alternative designs.

Citation Download Citation

Shannon R. Sankar and Jeffrey C. Livas "Optical telescope design for a space-based gravitational-wave mission", Proc. SPIE 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 914314 (2 August 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056824

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available