China's space gravitational wave detection "Tianqin plan" technology has made significant progress

[ China Instrument Network Instrument Development ] On September 27th, the S45 academic seminar of the Xiangshan Science Conference held in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, received the latest news about the "Tianqin Project". A number of key technologies have been made in the current "Tianqin Program", including inertial sensing, laser interferometry, no-drag control, satellite platforms and other major technologies, and these technologies will continue to enter the on-orbit verification phase.

At present, there are four main methods for gravitational wave detection, namely ground detection, space detection, pulsar timing array and cosmic microwave background radiation observation. Among them, space gravitational wave detection is an irreplaceable means to study the dense double star revolving in the Milky Way, the combination of medium and large black holes on the cosmic scale, and the extreme mass ratio system.

Since the 1970s, China has begun research on gravitational wave detection. After decades of efforts, China has accumulated a good foundation in the core technology of space gravitational wave detection. In March 2014, the team of Chinese scientists officially proposed an autonomous space gravitational wave detection program, which was named “Tianqin Plan” and was presented at the first International Symposium on Space Science Tasks in Tianqin in December 2014. "0123" of the Tianqin Project" takes the four-step implementation roadmap.

The "Tianqin Project" plans to launch three satellites in low-Earth orbit to form an equilateral triangle satellite formation. Through a series of core technologies such as inertial sensors and laser interference ranging, "perceive" the gravitational wave signals from the universe and explore the secrets of the universe. . The three stars, shaped like a harp in space, can listen to the "sound" of gravitational waves in the depths of the universe. This is the space gravitational wave detection "Tianqin Plan" proposed by Chinese scientists.

The “Tianqin Project” and the European LISA Program are currently a few space gravitational wave detection programs based on mature designs and solutions in the world, both of which are pushing forward against each other. The main difference between the two plans is that the design track is a little around the earth, one around the sun, and the detection band is slightly different.

The smooth implementation of the Tianqin program is inseparable from the international cooperation. It is necessary to bring together scientists from all over the world to carry out innovative research on the core key technologies of all aspects of space gravitational wave detection, break through the bottleneck of ultra-high precision measurement technology and achieve more Messenger research, multi-band detection, multi-method fusion, multi-field cooperation, multidisciplinary intersection, to achieve high-precision detection of space gravitational waves, while Tianqin can also extend the research scope to other disciplines such as geophysics and solar physics.

It is understood that since the launch of the "Tianqin Plan", universities or research institutions in Russia, Italy, Britain, Germany, the United States, Australia, France and other countries have expressed clear intentions to participate, and some have carried out corresponding cooperation.

As the original space gravitational wave detection program independently proposed by China, the "Qinqin Program" contributes to China's wisdom and China program for solving major scientific problems in the field of space gravitational wave detection, reflecting China's promotion of world science and technology innovation and development and optimization. The global scientific and technological resources layout and the responsibility of building a community of human destiny have important scientific value and significance.

(Source: Xinhuanet, Science Network, Baidu Encyclopedia)