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^(−1)1 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.
G. Lamporesi, A. Bertoldi, L. Cacciapuoti, M. Prevedelli, G.M. Tino (2008). Determination of the Newtonian Gravitational Constant Using Atom Interferometry. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 100, 050801-1-050801-4 [10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.050801].
Determination of the Newtonian Gravitational Constant Using Atom Interferometry
PREVEDELLI, MARCO;
2008
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^(−1)1 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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
