Comparison between sensitivity calculations assuming conditions as in July 1998 Pre-Phase A report. The low frequency sensitivity is determined by the acceleration noise and the arm length. The high frequency sensitivity is determined by optical path noise - assumed white with amplitude (including pointing noise, master clock noise, uncancelled laser phase noise etc.) two times the photon shot noise.
LISA sensitivity to a source depends on the source's position in the sky and (for sources with lifetimes << 1 year), the date. Sensitivity curves are shown averaged over the whole sky.
From LISA Science Requirements document (2002) p4