ESA Science & Technology - Fundamental Physics Explorer

Mission Architecture

A possible mission concept consists of three missions each testing a different aspect of fundamental physics;

• FPE-A - Special and General Relativity
• FPE-B - The Equivalence Principle
• FPE-C - Bose Einstein Condensates

It is assumed that a small VEGA/Rockot launcher will place each spacecraft into orbit. A Sun-Synchronous orbit is suggested for FPE-B and C. The use of this orbit enables a high level of thermal stability due to a minimal number of eclipses. FPE-A requires an elliptical orbit which, if properly designed, may result in lengthy eclipse-free periods. As a target, these spacecraft are baselined to have a mass of not more than 1000 kg to make them compatible with the use of a smaller, cheaper launch vehicle.

Each mission would have a nominal duration of 4-12 months. The short timescales reduce mission costs by decreasing operational requirements and demands.

Science Objectives

Each mission will test a specific area of fundamental physics conducting experiments with a single payload.

FPE-A - Tests of Special and General Relativity
One of the foundations of Special Relativity (SR) is the Local Lorentz Invariance (LLI). According to this principle, the outcome of any local test experiment is independent of the velocity of the freely falling apparatus. One test of this postulate to an unprecedented accuracy level would be the utilization of different frequency standards. These include clocks based on ultra-stable high-finesse resonators, atomic clocks in the optical domain and performing both on-board and space-to-ground comparisons as a function of the orbital motion of the spacecraft. Depending on the particular scheme, the set-up will be sensitive to violations of Einstein's theory of Special Relativity induced by variations of the speed of light with the orientation or the velocity of the local reference frame (tests of the isotropy and constancy of the speed of light). Measurements would allow the estimation of key parameters in alternative theories.

As a direct consequence of Einstein's Equivalence Principle, identical clocks placed at different positions in stationary gravitational fields will experience a frequency shift that, in the frame of the post-Newtonian approximation (PPN), is proportional to the difference of the Newtonian potential at the positions of the clocks. Space-to-ground and on-board comparisons of atomic clocks in the optical domain can be used to accurately test Einstein's prediction, to verify the universality of the gravitational redshift and, at the same time, to detect possible time variations of fundamental constants. Such experiments would provide a comprehensive test of the Local Position Invariance (LPI) principle, which together with the Weak Equivalence Principle and Local Lorentz Invariance, constitutes the base of Einstein's theory of General Relativity.

The following experiments could be performed*:

• Test of the isotropy of light propagation
• Test of the independence of the speed of light from the velocity of the laboratory reference frame
• Measurement of the light velocity by space-to-ground time and frequency transfer
• Measurement of the relativistic time-dilation effect
• Absolute measurement of the gravitational redshift
• Test of the universality of the gravitational redshift
• Search for time variations of the fine structure constant

Such tests would significantly improve presently available experimental results.

*It should be noted that the aim is to design a mission concept that would be simple and low cost. Achievement of all the scientific objectives may not be possible.

FPE-B - Tests of the Universality of Free Fall
The Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) postulates the independence of the world line of a freely falling test body on its structure and composition. This axiom represents one of the cornerstones not only for Einstein's theory of General Relativity, but also for almost all modern theories of gravitation.

Inspired by previous concepts (e.g. STEP, GG, MICROSCOPE, HYPER), FPE-B will look for violations of the universality of free fall (testing the WEP) and looking for experimental indication of alternative theories of gravitation. The parameter historically used to quantify a deviation from the WEP of two test bodies with different composition, inertial mass, and gravitational mass is the Eötvös parameter (). It is a ratio of the differential acceleration between two objects and the average combined acceleration. If the WEP is true, this parameter will be zero. The best drop tower experiment confirmed the validity of the WEP to 3 × 10^-10 accuracy [1]. An Earth-Moon experiment based on laser ranging provided  to an uncertainty of 10^-13. Tests with an accuracy at the 5 × 10^-13 level can be performed on ground using torsion balances [1].

Experimental goals:

• Compare at least two free-falling test bodies of different structure and composition (macroscopic test masses or atomic samples) to an accuracy of = 10^-17. More test masses are desirable to augment the baseline test, but options may be limited.

FPE-C - The Behaviour of Bose Einstein Condensates
A gas cloud of identical particles cooled down to very low temperatures and constrained in trapping potentials undergoes a phase transition from a classical to a macroscopic quantum system known as a Bose Einstein Condensate (BEC). All particles of a BEC are occupying the lowest energetic states of the confining potential behaving as a single quantum many-body system with well defined properties.

At present, laboratory experiments can routinely produce BECs with typical temperatures down to few tens of nK. Nevertheless, even at these ultra-low temperatures, residual kinetic energy which is necessary to overcome gravitation plays a significant role, masking important effects related to the quantum nature of the system. In microgravity the thermal motion of atoms can be reduced even further, and temperatures in the low pK or even fK regime may be accessible. Further, very long expansion times may be achievable in an almost perturbation-free environment, where the atomic sample could evolve without being limited by gravity and without any need for levitation. These conditions set the stage for innovative studies of:

• Physics of degenerate quantum gases in microgravity
  

  -	Ultra-low temperature physics and thermodynamics of degenerate quantum gases
  -	Coherence properties of degenerate quantum gases
  -	Collective excitation modes in the weak trapping regime
  -	Degenerate quantum mixtures in microgravity
  -	Dipolar quantum gases

• Matter-wave interferometry and fundamental physics tests
  

  -	Atom laser and coherent matter-wave optics
  -	WEP test with microscopic and macroscopic quantum systems

Payload Definition

The preliminary work conducted on the payload has highlighted the following possibilities for each mission to achieve the science goals.

FPE-A - Tests of Special and General Relativity
An ensemble of atomic clocks based on optical transition and ultra stable cavity resonators could provide the frequency reference with which to perform the measurements. Frequencies between clocks will be compared to a high degree of accuracy. Optical clocks with fractional frequency instability and inaccuracy at the 10^-18 level are required. This should be achievable in a quiet (drag-free) space environment.

An atomic clock consists of an oscillator locked to an ultra-stable atomic transition. Optical clocks are based on transitions in the visible domain of the electromagnetic spectrum, which serves as a reference for stabilizing the frequency of the reference oscillator.

The number of clocks and the specific atomic transitions has to be properly selected to optimize the outcome of the proposed tests.

FPE-B - Tests of the Weak Equivalence Principle
There are several options for the attempt to measure violations in the WEP. The validity of the WEP can be tested using a differential accelerometer (DA). Attention has been given to STEP-like cryogenically cooled super-conducting DAs [2], the Galileo Galilei mechanical scheme [3], and atom interferometry [4].

SUPERCONDUCTING SQUID SENSING
The principle is to sense the differential displacement of two co-axial co-incident test masses using SQUIDs. The movement of each test mass generates a current in a common circuit to both test masses, which provides the acceleration signal. Because the circuits flow in the opposite sense, any difference in motion will force a current through the circuit common to both test masses. The SQUID senses the tiny magnetic field resulting from this flow of current. To operate a Superconducting Interference Device (SQUID), extremely low temperatures are required resulting in the need for a cryostat. Shown in the diagram below is an example of the 'differential mode' circuit.

SQUID differential mode circuit to measure the acceleration signal (Credit: ESA)

The instrument itself could consist of two DAs contained within a quartz block. The assembly could be placed within a cryostat to achieve operating temperatures of 1.8K, necessary for the superconducting elements. This baseline design follows very closely the configuration proposed for the Mini-STEP mission [5].

ATOM INTERFEROMETRY
Consideration has been given to the use of an atom interferometry based DA. This removes the need for cryogenics. An assessment of the feasibility of such an instrument is on going. This would involve the probing of a mixture of two gases using three pulsed Raman/Bragg lasers to split and recombine the matter waves.

GG MECHANICAL SUSPENSION
In GG, the test masses are concentric, hollow, coaxial cylinders coupled in a beam balance system with the beam directed along the symmetry axis. The instrument is composed of two concentric differential accelerometers, the inner one based on two test masses with different structure and composition for detecting violations of the Universality of Free Fall and the outer one with cylinders of the same material, for zero check (calibration purposes). Both differential accelerometers are sensitive in the plane orthogonal to the symmetry axis. Test cylinders, suspended mechanically, spin at a frequency ω_s higher than the natural frequency ω_n. In this case, the non-zero displacement vector from the spin axis due to construction and mounting errors is reduced by a factor -(ω_n/ω_s)². The phenomenon, known as auto-centring in super critical rotation, requires two degrees of freedom.

FPE-C - The Behaviour of Bose Einstein Condensates
This payload will accommodate an experimental apparatus for producing Bose-Einstein condensates. Atomic samples will be trapped, cooled to the BEC phase transition and then used for the experiments mentioned above. Depending on the kind of experiment, different experimental techniques will be implemented. The evolution of the atomic sample will be monitored by using imaging techniques based on resonant absorption.

Spacecraft

Assembly of the extremely stable structure of the LISA Pathfinder Science Module, March 2007. (Credit: ESA/Astrium)

Drag-Free Control
Precision measurements performed with clocks, matter wave interferometers, and differential accelerometers require a high level of control of non-gravitational forces acting on the spacecraft. To achieve this objective, a Drag Free Control System (DFACS) needs to be implemented. The motion of a freely falling test mass can be used to provide acceleration information to the DFACS system, to apply minute trusts to compensate. Such systems are presently under study in the LISA Pathfinder mission.

LISA Pathfinder
The use of the LISA Pathfinder SVM platform is being assessed for re-use with the FPE payloads. The reason for doing this is cost and risk related, enabling easier procurement. LISA Pathfinder is a mission to demonstrate geodesic motion requiring drag-free control. It has the following advantages:

• Small sized spacecraft
• Comparable performance requirements
• Availability timescale is compatible with the FPE programme

A constraint applied to the payload is that it must fit within the payload envelope on board the LISA Pathfinder platform and be compatible with available spacecraft resources.

Challenges

• Highly Stable Atomic Clocks
  The development of optical clocks capable of fractional frequency instabilities of 10^-15 at 1s down to 10^-18 at 10 days of integration time. This will include a device to down convert the THz clock frequencies to be compatible with standard electronics (a frequency comb).
• Time and frequency Transfer Systems
  The development of high performance time and frequency transfer systems is key for comparing the stable and accurate frequency standard generated by the on-board optical clocks to ground based clocks without deteriorating the signal stability.
• High Accuracy Differential Accelerometers
  Development work is required to build and space qualify a differential accelerometer capable of measuring a tiny difference in acceleration to the 10^-17 level. This could be using a SQUID or atomic interferometry type device.
• Space Atom Traps
  The manipulation and cooling of cold quantum gases is a technology that has to be qualified for space applications. These activities will however take advantage of the work performed in the frame of the ACES ("Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space") mission.
• Drag Free Control
  The successful implementation of drag-free control inertial sensors.
• Cost Effective and Small Scale

Experiments of an FPE nature have been performed on ground while technology developments are ongoing. The case for space is to take advantage of micro-gravity to improve measurements yet further. The overall challenge is to develop space qualified instruments capable of achieving the science goals.

Study Details

This study was performed by SRE-PAM and completed in 2007. The final report, Binns (2007) is available to download (see Related Publications on the right-hand menu).

References

[1] Everitt, C.W.F. et al. "Historical Perspective on Testing the Equivalence Principle," Advances in Space Research, Vol. 32, No. 7, p1297-1300, 2003

[2] Paik, H.J. et al. "Principle of the STEP Accelerometer Design," Advances in Space Research, Vol. 32, No. 7, p1325-1333, 2003

[3] Nobili, A.M. et al. "Galileo Galilei (GG). Proposed Space Experiment to Test the Equivalence Principle and Preliminary Results from Prototype on the Ground," NASA D-18925, Proceedings of the NASA/JPL International Conference on 'Fundamental Physics in Space', 30 April - 1 May, Washington DC.

[4] Landragin, A. and Bouyer, P., "Atom Interferometry and Coherent Matter Waves," ESA SP-588, Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020, Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium, 19-21 April 2005 Noordwijk, The Netherlands, p43-52

[5] Swanson, P.N., "Mini-STEP: A Minimal Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle Experiment," Classical Quantum Gravity, Vol. 13, pA143-A147, 1996

Contact

Nicola Rando
Head of Science Missions section (SRE-PAM)
Advanced Studies and Technology Preparation Division
ESA - ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Nicola.Randoesa.int