| タイトル | Laser Frequency Stabilization for GRACE-II |
| 著者（英） | Pierce, R.; Spero, R.; McKenzie, K.; deVine, G.; Wuchenich, D.; Klipstein, W. M.; Stephens, M.; Davis, M.; Leitch, J.; Thompson, R.; Pace, C.; Yu, N.; Folkner, W. M.; deCino, J.; Shaddock, D. |
| 著者所属（英） | Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. |
| 発行日 | 2010-06-22 |
| 言語 | eng |
| 内容記述 | The GRACE mission monitors changes in the Earth's gravity field by measuring changes in the distance between spacecraft induced by that changing field. The distance variation is measured with a microwave ranging system with sub-micron accuracy. The ranging measurement accuracy is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio and by the frequency stability of the microwave signal referenced to an ultra-stable oscillator (USO). For GRACE-2 a laser ranging system is envisioned with accuracy better than the GRACE microwave ranging system. A laser ranging system easily provides an improved signal-to-noise ratio over the microwave system. Laser frequency stability better than the GRACE USO stability has been demonstrated in several laboratories using thermally stabilized optical cavities. We are developing a space-qualifiable optical cavity and associated optics and electronics for use on GRACE-2 to provide a stable frequency reference for the laser ranging system. Two breadboard units have been developed and tested for performance and ability to survive launch and orbit environments. A prototype unit is being designed using lessons learned from tests of the breadboard units. |
| NASA分類 | Lasers and Masers |
| 権利 | Copyright |
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