LISA science ground segment conventions

Abstract

This document sets out the conventions used for data simulations, waveforms, and analysis pipelines within the Distributed Data Processing Centre (DDPC) of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). It can also be considered a best practice guide for all publications related to the LISA mission. Topics covered include time-to-frequency transformations, gravitational-wave source parametrization, the instrumental response to gravitational waves, time-delay interferometry, and reference frame definitions.

Figures (12)

• Figure 1: Indexing conventions. Figure extracted from Bayle:2021mue, based on \ref{['AD1']}.
• Figure 2: Representation of the constellatoin reference frame (source: \ref{['AD1']}).
• Figure 3: Representation of the equatorial reference frame and its reference polarization vectors. The equatorial reference frame basis vectors $\bm{x}_0, \bm{y}_0, \bm{z}_0$ are in black. The propagation vector $\bm{k}$ is in green.
• Figure 4: Representation of the equatorial frame (blue basis vectors) and of the ecliptic frame (black basis vectors). The $\bm{x}_0$ vector of the equatorial frame coincides with the $\bm{x}$ vector of the ecliptic plane, not represented here. One transforms from the equatorial (blue) to the ecliptic frame (black) by applying a rotation of $\epsilon \approx 23.4$ degrees about $\bm{x}_0$.
• Figure 5: Polarization angle definitions in the equatorial and ecliptic frame. The source frame polarization vectors (green) differ from the equatorial reference polarization vectors (blue) by a rotation $\psi_0$ around the GW propagation vector $\bm{k}$. Similarly, a rotation by $\psi$ relates the ecliptic reference polarization vectors to the source frame polarization vectors.