A telescope for LISA – the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

Abstract

Abstract Gravitational waves are a prediction of Einstein’s general relativity theory. In autumn 2017, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO; https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/) experiment reported the first detection of gravitational waves in addition to electromagnetic radiation from the collision of two neutron stars. This marks the first time that a cosmic event has been viewed in both gravitational waves and light and opens the door to a new type of astronomical observatory based on gravitational waves. The gravitational wave spectrum covers a broad span of frequencies and requires both space- and ground-based observatories to cover the full range. Space-based gravitational wave observatories, such as the proposed Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), operate at frequencies between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz and complement the frequency range of 30–1000 Hz accessible by ground-based gravitational wave observatories, such as LIGO. A rich array of high-energy astrophysical sources is expected in the LISA measurement band. LISA was selected in 2017 as the third large mission of the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will collaborate on both the scientific and technical aspects of this mission. This paper addresses the design of the optical telescope as an essential component of LISA’s long-distance interferometric measurement system.