NASA Contributions to LISA: UV LED-based Charge Management System

LISA uses free-flying test masses as reference points from which to measure passing gravitational waves. A key requirement for LISA's performance is that these test masses are not affected by other forces. Electrostatic forces are one such force that arise when the test mass gains an electric charge due to the impact of cosmic rays on the spacecraft. If left unchecked, this charge would build up to the point where electrostatic forces would overwhelm the gravitational wave signal. LISA will use ultraviolet light to control charge on the test masses through the photoelectric effect. This technology was successfully demonstrated first on NASA’s Gravity Probe B mission, then on LISA Pathfinder. NASA and its partners at the University of Florida are developing an improved charge management system based on UV LEDs that are smaller, lighter, less power-hungry, and more robust than the mercury-vapor lamps used on LISA Pathfinder.

A UV LED-based CMD offers greater robustness, efficiency, and more operating modes compared to the Hg lamps on LISA Pathfinder Compared to Hg lamps, UV LEDs are smaller; lighter; consume less power; and have wider spectrum selection, broader operating temperature range, and higher dynamic range The CMD could also be used for future Earth geodesy missions

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