Experimental characterisation of a combined LVDT position sensor and voice-coil actuator for gravitational wave detectors

Abstract

A detailed characterisation of a combined Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) position sensor and voice-coil (VC) actuator designed for seismic isolation systems in gravitational wave detectors is presented. A dedicated experimental setup and a finite-element simulation framework were developed to measure and model a representative Einstein Telescope pathfinder Type-A LVDT+VC assembly. The setup employs a precision translation stage and balance to quantify LVDT displacement response and VC force output under controlled conditions. We found a good agreement between experiment and simulation: the measured LVDT response was determined with an uncertainty of 0.5% and differed by only 1.3% from the model prediction, demonstrating high linearity over a $\pm$5~mm range. In addition, the VC force measurements agreed within the total uncertainty: the maximum normalised force was determined with a precision of 2.3% and matched the simulated value with only 0.6% discrepancy. These results validate the combined sensor-actuator design and our measurement methodology. The demonstrated linear response and stable actuation confirm that this LVDT+VC device can be used for low-frequency suspension control. Our framework therefore provides a validated tool to optimise existing sensor and actuator designs, and to study novel prototypes for next-generation gravitational wave detectors.