Laboratory Tests of Gravitational Physics Using a Cryogenic Torsion Pendulum
نویسندگان
چکیده
Progress and plans are reported for a program of gravitational physics experiments using cryogenic torsion pendula undergoing large amplitude torsional oscillation. The program includes a UC Irvine project to measure the gravitational constant G and joint UC Irvine– U. Washington projects to test the gravitational inverse square law at a range of about 10 cm and to test the weak equivalence principle.
منابع مشابه
Testing Newtonian gravity in the laboratory
The search for ever smaller violations of Einstein’s weak equivalence principle continues to be an important experimental goal at the close of the 20th century, with string theory providing new motivations. Currently, the most sensitive laboratory and terrestrial-scale tests are carried out with instrumentation based on the 18th century concept of the torsion pendulum, but not with 18th century...
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A measurement of G which will use a torsion pendulum in the ‘dynamic’ (time-of-swing) mode, measuring the influence of field source masses on the pendulum’s oscillation period, is being prepared at UC Irvine. Features of the design include: (i) operation at cryogenic temperature (2 K) to reduce thermal noise and increase frequency stability and for ease of magnetic shielding, (ii) large pendulu...
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