Next-generation laser retroreflectors for precison tests of general relativity

Abstract

The SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/GNSS laser ranging/ altimetry and Cube/microsat Characterization Facilities Laboratory) is a specialized infrastructure, unique worldwide, dedicated to design, characterization and modeling of the space segment of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) and Planetary Laser Ranging and Altimetry (PLRA) for industrial and scientific applications. We developed advanced laser retroreflectors for solar system exploration, geodesy and for precision tests of General Relativity (GR) and new gravitational physics. Our key experimental innovation is the concurrent measurement and modeling of the optical Far Field Diffraction Pattern (FFDP) and the temperature distribution of the SLR/LLR payload of retroreflectors under thermal conditions produced with a close-match solar simulator. The main topic of this thesis work is the development, validation and optimization of 2nd generation LLR arrays for precision tests of GR with the MoonLIGHT-2 (Moon Laser Instrumentation for General relativity High-accuracy Tests – Phase 2) project. In particular my contribution is about the optical test of the CCR and the General Relativity simulations carried out to study the expected improvements using MoonLIGHT-2. The ultimate scientific objective of MoonLIGHT-2 is to provide constraints on the theories that are proposed to determine the properties of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, and other gravitational theories.