Space gravitational wave detection requires extremely high precision in micro-thrust measurement, where thermal noise is considered a major factor limiting the performance of gravity compound pendulum measurement systems. To suppress thermal noise and improve long-term measurement stability, a temperature control system was designed and experimentally studied. A thermal noise transfer model was established to analyze the coupled influence of temperature on the stiffness of the flexible pivot, thermal deformation of the pendulum rod, and readings of the displacement sensor. Temperature control parameters were optimized using ANSYS thermal simulation. A composite temperature control scheme combining vacuum isolation, multi-layer passive insulation, and local active proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control was proposed. Experimental results show that under a vacuum environment of 10-4 Pa, the peak temperature fluctuation in key areas is controlled within 4 mK over 48 hours, and the thermally induced displacement noise is reduced by approximately 99%. The research findings validate the effectiveness of the multi-level temperature control strategy in micro-Newton-level thrust measurement, providing a reliable technical approach for thermal noise suppression in space-based inertial sensing systems.
WANG Xiao-lei, LONG Jian-fei, ZHAO Bang-jian, WU Ming-shan, WANG Jia-bin, WANG Ying, JI Su-jin.
Thermal Noise Suppression in the Micro-Newton-level Gravity Composite Pendulum Device[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(24): 10635-10645 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2506976
LuoZiren, ZhangMin, JinGang, et al. Introduction of Chinese space-borne gravitational wave detection program: “Taiji” and “Taiji-1” satellite mission[J]. Journal of Deep Space Exploration, 2020, 7(1): 3-10.
ZhangJinxiu, TaoWenjian, LianXiaobin, et al. Current status and trends of drag-free technology for space-based gravitational wave detection[J]. Journal of National University of Defense Technology, 2024, 46(2): 1-17.
YangZhenglin, LiQing, DengShaolong, et al. Modeling of microvibration mechanism of drag-free control system for space gravitational wave detection satellites[J]. Acta Photonica Sinica, 2025, 54(2): 15-31.
WangHao, MuJianchao, CongLinxiao. Design and experimental research of micro-newton thrust[J]. Journal of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2025, 42(3): 412-420.
ZhuChunyuan, LuShixu, CongLinxiao, et al. A bionic inverted pendulum-based method for low thrust-to-weight measurement[J]. Chinese Journal of Scientific Instrument, 2025, 46(7): 160-170.
CuiXiaoming, HeJianwu, GongShaoliang, et al. High-precision micro-thrust measurement method and experimental research[J]. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 2025, 57(7): 1586-1596.
YangChao, HeJianwu, ZhangChu, et al. Micro impulse measurement method and experimental research based on torsion pendulum[J]. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 2022, 54(3): 669-677.
LiuQi. The precision measurement of Newtonian gravitational constant G by using double spherical source masses with the time-of-swing method[D]. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 2009.
[17]
莫雄. 微牛级推力测量技术研究[D]. 成都: 电子科技大学, 2019.
[18]
MoXiong. Research on micro-newton thrust measurement technology[D]. Chengdu: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 2019.
ZhuChunyuan, ZhaoMeirong, ZhangHong, et al. Study on thruster thrust measurement based on parallelogram mechanism[J]. Chinese Journal of Scientific Instrument, 2022, 43(4): 98-107.
ZhengHankai, SunMingming, LongJianfei, et al. Experimental study on thermal noise suppression of torsional pendulum micro thrust measurement device[J/OL]. (2025-12-25)[2026-01-03]. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2488.TN.20251224.1433.016.html.
[23]
XuC Y, LiW Y, LiuX H, et al. Micro-Newton scale variable thrust control technique and its noise problem for drag-free satellite platforms: a review[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2023, 24(10): 841-858.
WangJiabin, LongJianfei, XuLuxiang, et al. Single wire torsion pendulum micro-Newton thrust measurement system in closed loop control[J]. Journal of Electronic Measurement and Instrumentation, 2023, 37(9): 93-101
ZhouWeijie, LongJianfei, WangJiabin, et al. Experimental study on the influence of reference plane inclination on micro-thrust measurement[J]. Chinese Journal of Scientific Instrument, 2024, 45(11): 178-186.
[30]
WangJ B, LongJ F, XuJ W, et al. Nanonewton-level thrust measurement based on stiffness adjustment through total variation denoising under heavy loads[J]. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2025, 74: 1-13.
DingQi. Establishment of thermal expansion coefficient model and database of nickel-base superalloy based on CALPHAD method[D]. Xiamen: Xiamen University, 2019.
XiaYongjie, GuoHong, LiRuizhen, et al. Structural design and performance analysis of flexible pivot for porous tilting pad thrust bearings[J]. Tribology, 2024, 44(12): 1720-1729.
HuangXiaoming, SunJie, LiJianfeng, et al. Varying rules and mechanism of thermal expansion coefficient for pre-stretched 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy plate[J]. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2013, 23(12): 3282-3288.
[41]
TajmrarM, NeunzigO, WeikertM. High-accuracy thrust mea-surements of the EMDrive and elimination of false-positive effects[J]. CEAS Space Journal, 2022, 14(1): 31-44.
[42]
黄轩. 微推力差测量装置结构优化及共模干扰抑制方法研究[D]. 南京: 东南大学, 2023.
[43]
HuangXuan. Structural optimization of differential micro-thrust measurement devices and common-mode interference suppression methods[D]. Nanjing: Southeast University, 2023.
WangJingfan, MaoBin, LiuHui, et al. Calibration of laser displacement sensors under operating conditions[J]. China Measurement & Test, 2025, 51(2): 127-131.
ChenJing, YangLu, WanLingfeng, et al. Evaluation of measurement uncertainty of dynamic calibration device for linear displacement sensors[J]. Industrial Metrolgy, 2024, 34(6): 60-62.
RenYuming, ZhaoXi. Fault analysis and resolution measures for PT1000 resistance acquisition accuracy deviation in a specific remote interface unit[J]. Internet of Things Technology, 2023, 13(9): 8-9, 15.
LüJi. Research on the testing method of temperature coefficient of resistance for Pt100 platinum resistance temperature gauge[J]. Metrology & Measurement Technique, 2025, 51(6): 130-134.
WangKaijian, ZhangShuangbao, TongZelin, et al. Design and implementation of three-wire Pt100 temperature measurement system for mobile power vehicle based on domestic microcontroller CS32F103[J]. Movable Power Station & Vehicle, 2025, 55(4): 43-49.
ZhaoXiaoli, HuSongtao, ZhuHui, et al. Numerical simulation of the indoor thermal environment under asymmetric thermal conditions[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2024, 24(9): 3804-3812.
ChenQinghua, WuJiale, LiDongsheng, et al. Uniformity of temperature field in forced convection oven[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2023, 23(22): 9509-9516.