Synthetic LISA is a computer program for simulating the responses of the instrumentation of the NASA/ESA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, the purpose of which is to detect and study gravitational waves. Synthetic LISA generates synthetic time series of the LISA fundamental noises, as filtered through all the time-delay- interferometry (TDI) observables. (TDI is a method of canceling phase noise in temporally varying unequalarm interferometers.) Synthetic LISA provides a streamlined module to compute the TDI responses to gravitational waves, according to a full model of TDI (including the motion of the LISA array and the temporal and directional dependence of the arm lengths). Synthetic LISA is written in the C++ programming language as a modular package that accommodates the addition of code for specific gravitational wave sources or for new noise models. In addition, time series for waves and noises can be easily loaded from disk storage or electronic memory. The package includes a Python-language interface for easy, interactive steering and scripting. Through Python, Synthetic LISA can read and write data files in Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), which is a commonly used astronomical data format.
This program was written by John Armstrong, Jeffrey Edlund, and Michele Vallisneri of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-41001.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Simulating Responses of Gravitational-Wave Instrumentation
(reference NPO-41001) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document presents an overview of Synthetic LISA, a software package developed by Michele Vallisneri at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This C++ and Python-based tool is designed to simulate the science process of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, which aims to detect and study gravitational waves.
Synthetic LISA generates synthetic time series of the fundamental noises associated with LISA, filtered through all time-delay interferometry (TDI) observables. It incorporates a comprehensive model of TDI, accounting for the realistic motion of the LISA array and the temporal and directional dependence of the arm lengths. The software's modular structure allows users to easily add code for specific gravitational-wave sources or new noise models, facilitating the loading of time series data from disk or memory. Additionally, it features a Python interface for interactive steering and scripting, enabling users to read and write FITS data files conveniently.
One of the unique aspects of Synthetic LISA is its inclusion of a full model of the LISA science process, which demonstrates laser-noise cancellation and considers the effects of the LISA constellation's motion around the Sun. Compared to existing software, such as the open-source LISA Simulator, Synthetic LISA offers more accurate models of fundamental noises, a direct demonstration of laser-phase noise cancellation, a complete set of TDI variables, and the capability to compute "second-generation" TDI observables. Its extensibility and user-friendly design make it a significant improvement over previous applications.
The primary goal of Synthetic LISA is to provide a faithful simulation of the fundamental noises in LISA, particularly laser phase noise, which must be canceled with high precision to detect scientific signals effectively. The software aims to model the response of LISA to arbitrary gravitational-wave signals accurately, thereby enhancing the understanding and analysis of gravitational-wave data.
Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of Synthetic LISA in advancing gravitational-wave research and its potential applications in the broader context of aerospace technology and scientific exploration. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers and developers involved in gravitational-wave instrumentation and analysis.
