Objectives
LISA is an L-class mission within ESA’s Cosmic Vision programme that will, for the first time, observe gravitational wave sources emitting at frequencies between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz. A large number of diverse sources are expected. LISA will have a significant scientific impact on astrophysics, cosmology and fundamental physics. France is making a significant contribution to the mission, with responsibility for ground-based performance tests of the LISA interferometric system (OMS-IDS – Optical Metrology/Interferometric Detection System) and the development of the data analysis centre (DDPC – Distributed Data Processing Centre). The objectives of the LISA National Observation Service are
- the design and development of ground-based test equipment to validate and characterise the IDS system.
- the design, development, implementation and operation of the DDPC, with particular focus on the infrastructure and data processing chains (noises and sources) and simulations.
Identity
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/lisa
National SNO coordinators: Gilles Theureau and Astrid Lamberts
Local SNO coordinator: Astrid Lamberts astrid.lamberts@oca.eu
National information on SNO: https://lisafrance.pages.in2p3.fr/website/sno.html
Data
The launch of LISA is scheduled for 2035, and the first is are expected to be processed at the DDPC from 2037 onwards. A portion of the data is expected to be made available to the scientific community 18 months later, and then annually.
Each ‘data release’ will contain the data (noises and sources) and simulations.
Data from different levels derived from different pipelines, including a final catalogue (level 3 data) with numerous query tools.
At present, upstream work is carried out using simulated data (the ‘common datasets’, CD) and catalogues of simulated data will be published in the coming years.
OCA’s involvement
At present, OCA members are particularly involved in:
- The design, development and implementation ground-based test equipment for the IDS, including photodetectors and an instrument for measuring stray light (Stray Light Optical Ground Support Equipment).
- Prototyping of algorithms for the creation of high-level data products, including catalogues: development of methods that combine the results from multiple pipelines, development of the database and interactive tools (cross-matching with other catalogues, visualisation, query tools).
- Prototyping of Global Fit-type algorithms that identify different sources of gravitational waves, particularly in the presence of instrumental artefacts.
OCA staff involved
Permanent staff involved: Nicoleta Dinu-Jaeger, Michel Lintz, Frédéric Cleva, Mourad Merzougui, Dominique Huet, Jean-Pierre Coulon, Dylan Zabulski, Astrid Lamberts, Nelson Christensen, Martin Vannier, Christophe Ordenovic, Natalia Korsakova.
Short-term needs and prospects
OCA is committed to instrumental developments and performance testing of the LISA interferometric system until 2030. An increase in staff numbers, with expertise in both experimental fields (photonics and optical metrology) and the performance of the LISA instrument, will enable us to continue our contributions until the launch in 2035.
OCA is committed to the development of the ground segment until at least 2037 (end of commissionning) . OCA is responsible for the L3 data production pipelines and will need to strengthen its team to ensure a detailed understanding of L2 data, carry out statistical comparisons and establish data quality criteria. We also need to strengthen the development of the database and the associated query and visualisation tools. We are also involved in the development of global fit algorithms.