Development of High Precision Test Masses for the MICROSCOPE Space Project

Abstract:

The MICROSCOPE (MicroSatellite à traînée Compensée pour l'Observation du Principe d'Equivalence) project is an orbit-based mission to verify the Weak Equivalent Principle with an uncertainty of 10-15. To achieve this goal two differential accelerometer, each equipped with two high precision test masses (made of PtRh10 and TiAl6V4 in the form of hollow cylinders with four flats at the outer shell and six precision countersinks at each face), are to be launched in Spring 2016 and shall orbit the earth for approx. one and a half year.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 613)
• Pages: 381-391
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.613.381
• Online since: May 2014
• Authors: Daniel Hagedorn*, Heinz Peter Heyne, Stephan Metschke, Uwe Langner, Vincent Lebat, Manuel Rodriguez, Pierre Touboul, Frank Löffler
• Keywords: Fundamental Physics, Machining of Ductile Material, Process Development, Traceable Precision In Situ Measurement

References

[1] T. Damour, A.M. Polyakov, The string dilation and a least coupling principle, Nuclear Physics B, Vol. 423 Is. 2-3 (1994) pp.532-558.

DOI: 10.1016/0550-3213(94)90143-0

[2] S. Schlamminger, K. -Y. Choi, K. -Y. Wagner, K. -Y. Gundlach, and E. Adelberger, Test of the Equivalence Principle Using a Rotating Torsion Balance, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, (2008) 041101.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.041101

[3] P. Touboul, M. Rodrigues, G. Métris, B. Tatry, MICROSCOPE, testing the equivalence principle in space, " Comptes Rendus de l, Académie des sciences (2001) IV-tome 2-N°9.

DOI: 10.1016/s1296-2147(01)01264-1

[4] P. Touboul, G. Métris, V. Lebat, and A. Robert, The MICROSCOPE experiment, ready for the in-orbit test of the equivalence principle, Classical and Quantum Gravity 29 (2012).

DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/29/18/184010

[5] P. Touboul, B. Foulon, M. Rodrigues, J.P. Marque, In orbit nano-g measurements, lessons for future space missions Aerospace, Science and Technology 8 (2004) 431-441.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ast.2004.01.006

[6] Hagedorn, D., Heyne, H. -P., Reimann, H., Neugebauer, M., Grüner, S., Metschke, St., Löffler, F., Fabrication and Measurement Development for Precise Test Masses for the MICROSCOPE Space Project, ISBN 13: 978-0-9553082-6-0 (2009) 29-32.

[7] Jusko, O., Gerwien, N., Hagedorn, D., Härtig, F., Heyne, H. -P., Langner, U., Löffler, F., Metschke, St., Neugebauer, M., Reimann, H., Final Manufacturing and Measurement of Satellite Proof Masses for the MICROSCOPE Project, Proc. ISPEMI 2010, 6th International Symposium on Precision Engineering Measurements and Instrumentation, Hangzhou, China, 8. -11. 8. (2010).

DOI: 10.1117/12.885187