Systematic error suppression scheme of the weak equivalence principle test by dual atom interferometers in space based on spectral correlation

Systematic error suppression and test data processing are very important in improving the accuracy and sensitivity of the atom interferometer (AI)-based weak-equivalence-principle (WEP) test in space. Here we present a spectrum correlation method to investigate the test data of the AI-based WEP test in space by analyzing the characteristics of systematic errors and noises. The power spectrum of the Eötvös coefficient η, systematic errors, and noises in AI-based WEP test in space are analyzed and calculated in detail. By using the method, the WEP violation signal is modulated from direct current (DC) frequency band to alternating current (AC) frequency band. We find that the signal can be effectively extracted and the influence of systematic errors can be greatly suppressed by analyzing the power spectrum of the test data when the spacecraft is in an inertial pointing mode. Furthermore, the relation between the Eötvös coefficient η and the number of measurements is obtained under certain simulated parameters. This method will be useful for both isotopic and nonisotopic AI-based WEP tests in space.