Possibility analysis of a flat cuboid Au–Pt alloy test mass employed in space gravitational wave detection

Space-based gravitational wave detection generally employs kilogram-scale cubic test masses. The flat cuboid test mass for gravity satellites has the advantages of lightweight, low remanent magnetic moment, low preload force requirement and convenient ground testing. The paper analyses the relationship between acceleration noise and dimensions, identifying that the flat cuboid Au–Pt alloy test mass is promising for space-based gravitational wave detection. The scheme proposed in the paper adopts a new electrostatic control strategy, avoiding the noise of rotating electrostatic control in a sensitive direction. Based on this scheme, theoretical analysis shows that the flat cuboid Au–Pt alloy test mass can achieve a performance of about between to , limited by Brownian noise, random charging noise and magnetic noise. Finally, the paper presents the performance of test masses in different dimensions, finding that increasing the side length along the sensitive direction is the most efficient optimisation for performance in the low frequency range. The flat cuboid Au–Pt test mass represents a potential inertial sensor scheme for space-based gravitational wave detection.