Determination of the newtonian gravitational constant using atom interferometry
Anno: 2008
Autori: Lamporesi G., Bertoldi A., Cacciapuoti L., Prevedelli M., Tino G.M.
Affiliazione autori: Dipartimento di Fisica and LENS, Universita` di Firenze—INFN Sezione di Firenze, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; ESA Research and Scientific Support Department, ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1—P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk ZH, The Netherlands; Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica e Inorganica, Universita` di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Abstract: We present a new measurement of the Newtonian gravitational constant G based on cold-atom interferometry. Freely falling samples of laser-cooled rubidium atoms are used in a gravity gradiometer to probe the field generated by nearby source masses. In addition to its potential sensitivity, this method is intriguing as gravity is explored by a quantum system. We report a value of G=6.667×10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2), estimating a statistical uncertainty of +/- 0.011×10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2) and a systematic uncertainty of +/- 0.003×10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2). The long-term stability of the instrument and the signal-to-noise ratio demonstrated here open interesting perspectives for pushing the measurement accuracy below the 100 ppm level.
Giornale/Rivista: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Volume: 100 (5) Da Pagina: 050801 A: 050801
Parole chiavi: Newtonian constant; atomic sensors; atom interferometryDOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.050801Citazioni: 199dati da “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) aggiornati al: 2024-04-28Riferimenti tratti da Isi Web of Knowledge: (solo abbonati) Link per visualizzare la scheda su IsiWeb: Clicca quiLink per visualizzare la citazioni su IsiWeb: Clicca qui