J Sanjuán

Abstract: Thermal conditions in the LTP, the LISA Technology Package, are required to be very stable, and in such environment precision temperature measurements are also required for various diagnostics objectives. A sensitive temperature gauging system for the LTP is being developed at IEEC, which includes a set of thermistors and associated electronics. In this paper we discuss the derived requirements applying to the temperature sensing system, and address the problem of how to create in the laboratory a thermally quiet environment, suitable to perform meaningful on-ground tests of the system. The concept is a two layer spherical body, with a central aluminium core for sensor implantation surrounded by a layer of polyurethane. We construct the insulator transfer function, which relates the temperature at the core with the laboratory ambient temperature, and evaluate the losses caused by heat leakage through connecting wires. The results of the analysis indicate that, in spite of the very demanding stability conditions, a sphere of outer diameter of the order one metre is sufficient. We provide experimental evidence confirming the model predictions.

TL;DR: In this article, the results of a series of OW characterization laboratory runs are reported, intended to study its response to selected thermal signals, as well as their fit to numerical models, and the meaning of the latter.

TL;DR: In this paper, the magnetic field sensing in the LISA Technology Package (LTP) on board LISA Pathfinder (LPF) is based on a set of 4 high-precision 3-axis fluxgate magnetometers.

TL;DR: The LISA PathFinder DMU (Data Management Unit) flight model was formally accepted by ESA and ASD on 11 February 2010, after all hardware and software tests had been successfully completed as discussed by the authors.

TL;DR: Detailed magnetic characterization of the NTCs is reported and the data is used to evaluate their impact on the acceleration noise budget of the LTP and it is seen to be small if the N TCs are submitted to a demagnetization process before they are attached.