为了研制出满足未来空间引力波探测需求的弱光探测器, 初步进行了弱光探测器性能检测, 分析了探测器的响应度、响应带宽、本底噪声等性能指标, 以筛选出能满足未来空间引力波探测要求的探测器研制途径和解决方案。首先, 根据空间引力波探测太极计划的激光器功率、轨道、星间距等设计方案, 推算出太极计划所需探测器的性能指标; 然后, 与中国电子科技集团公司第四十四研究所、西南技术物理研究所和中国科学院上海技术物理研究所等单位合作研制了3款弱光探测器; 最后, 利用本课题组研制的低噪外差激光干涉系统对其响应度、响应带宽及本底噪声等指标进行检测, 并分析了影响探测器性能指标的因素。实验结果表明: 其中两款探测器的响应度优于1.8×105 V/W, 响应带宽大于10 MHz; 3款探测器的本底噪声均低于10 pm/Hz@10 mHz (0.1 mHz~1 Hz), 信噪比高于20 dB。这3款探测器在响应度、响应带宽和信噪比等方面具有满足未来太极计划实验星要求的潜力。

To develop a weak-light detector that meets the needs of space gravitational wave detection in the future, the performance detection of weak-light detectors was initially carried out, and the performance parameters, such as responsiveness, response bandwidth and background noise, of the detectors were analyzed, for finding out the method and solution of weak-light detector development that can meet the requirements of future space gravitational wave detection. Firstly, according to the design scheme of the space gravitational wave detection, e.g. Taiji, including laser power, orbit design and star spacing, the parameters of the detector required by Taiji were calculated. Next, three kinds of weak-light detectors were developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation No.44 Research Institute, Southwest Institute of Technical Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences with joint efforts of our research group. Finally, the responsivity, response bandwidth, and background noise of the detectors were tested by the low-noise heterodyne laser interferometry system developed by our research group, and the factors affecting the performance of the detectors were analyzed. The experimental results show that the responsiveness of two detectors is better than 1.8×105 V/W and that the response bandwidth is greater than 10 MHz. The ground noise of the three detectors is lower than 10 pm/Hz@10 mHz (0.1 mHz-1 Hz), and the signal-to-noise ratio is higher than 20 dB. According to the aforementioned experimental results, the three detectors have the potential to meet the requirements of the Taiji Pathfinder in terms of responsiveness, response bandwidth, and signal-to-noise ratio.