LISA Point-Ahead Angle Control for Optimal Tilt-to-Length Noise Estimation

Abstract: The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission features a three-spacecraft long-arm constellation intended to detect gravitational wave sources in the low-frequency band up to 1 Hz via laser interferometry. The paper presents an open-loop control strategy for point-ahead angle (PAA) correction required to maintain the optical links of the moving constellation. The control strategy maximizes periods between adjustments at the constellation level and is shown to be optimal from the perspective of estimating and correcting tilt-to-length (TTL) coupling. TTL is a noise source that couples angular spacecraft jitter and jitter of optical subassemblies with longitudinal interferometer measurements. Without precise TTL noise estimation and correction, TTL coupling fundamentally limits the detector's sensitivity.