Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (electronic) | 9782954640068 |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 21 Jul 2015 |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of the 50th Rencontres de Moriond - 2015 Gravitation: 100 years after GR |
|---|
Abstract
To date, no framework combining quantum field theory and general relativity and hence unifying all four fundamental interactions, exists. Violations of the Einstein’s equivalence principle (EEP), being the foundation of general relativity, may hold the key to a theory of “quantum gravity”. The universality of free fall (UFF), which is one of the three pillars of the EEP, has been extensively tested with classical bodies. Quantum tests of the UFF, e.g. by exploiting matter wave interferometry, allow for complementary sets of test masses, orders of magnitude larger test mass coherence lengths and investigation of spin-gravity coupling. We review our recent work towards highly sensitive matter wave tests of the UFF on ground. In this scope, the first quantum test of the UFF utilizing two different chemical elements, 87Rb and 39K, yielding an Eötvös ratio ηRb,K = (0.3 ± 5.4) × 10 − 7 has been performed. We assess systematic effects currently limiting the measurement at a level of parts in 10 8 and finally present our strategies to improve the current state-of-the-art with a test comparing the free fall of rubidium and ytterbium in a very long baseline atom interferometry setup. Here, a 10 m baseline combined with a precise control of systematic effects will enable a determination of the Eötvös ratio at a level of parts in 10 13 and beyond, thus reaching and overcoming the performance limit of the best classical tests.
Keywords
- physics.atom-ph, gr-qc
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
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2015. (Proceedings of the 50th Rencontres de Moriond - 2015 Gravitation: 100 years after GR).
Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
}
TY - UNPB
T1 - Ground Tests of Einstein's Equivalence Principle
T2 - From Lab-based to 10-m Atomic Fountains
AU - Schlippert, D.
AU - Albers, H.
AU - Richardson, L. L.
AU - Nath, D.
AU - Heine, H.
AU - Meiners, C.
AU - Wodey, É.
AU - Billon, A.
AU - Hartwig, J.
AU - Schubert, C.
AU - Gaaloul, N.
AU - Ertmer, W.
AU - Rasel, E. M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2015 Proceedings of the 50th Rencontres de Moriond - 2015 Gravitation: 100 years after GR. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/7/21
Y1 - 2015/7/21
N2 - To date, no framework combining quantum field theory and general relativity and hence unifying all four fundamental interactions, exists. Violations of the Einstein’s equivalence principle (EEP), being the foundation of general relativity, may hold the key to a theory of “quantum gravity”. The universality of free fall (UFF), which is one of the three pillars of the EEP, has been extensively tested with classical bodies. Quantum tests of the UFF, e.g. by exploiting matter wave interferometry, allow for complementary sets of test masses, orders of magnitude larger test mass coherence lengths and investigation of spin-gravity coupling. We review our recent work towards highly sensitive matter wave tests of the UFF on ground. In this scope, the first quantum test of the UFF utilizing two different chemical elements, 87Rb and 39K, yielding an Eötvös ratio ηRb,K = (0.3 ± 5.4) × 10 − 7 has been performed. We assess systematic effects currently limiting the measurement at a level of parts in 10 8 and finally present our strategies to improve the current state-of-the-art with a test comparing the free fall of rubidium and ytterbium in a very long baseline atom interferometry setup. Here, a 10 m baseline combined with a precise control of systematic effects will enable a determination of the Eötvös ratio at a level of parts in 10 13 and beyond, thus reaching and overcoming the performance limit of the best classical tests.
AB - To date, no framework combining quantum field theory and general relativity and hence unifying all four fundamental interactions, exists. Violations of the Einstein’s equivalence principle (EEP), being the foundation of general relativity, may hold the key to a theory of “quantum gravity”. The universality of free fall (UFF), which is one of the three pillars of the EEP, has been extensively tested with classical bodies. Quantum tests of the UFF, e.g. by exploiting matter wave interferometry, allow for complementary sets of test masses, orders of magnitude larger test mass coherence lengths and investigation of spin-gravity coupling. We review our recent work towards highly sensitive matter wave tests of the UFF on ground. In this scope, the first quantum test of the UFF utilizing two different chemical elements, 87Rb and 39K, yielding an Eötvös ratio ηRb,K = (0.3 ± 5.4) × 10 − 7 has been performed. We assess systematic effects currently limiting the measurement at a level of parts in 10 8 and finally present our strategies to improve the current state-of-the-art with a test comparing the free fall of rubidium and ytterbium in a very long baseline atom interferometry setup. Here, a 10 m baseline combined with a precise control of systematic effects will enable a determination of the Eötvös ratio at a level of parts in 10 13 and beyond, thus reaching and overcoming the performance limit of the best classical tests.
KW - physics.atom-ph
KW - gr-qc
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021390833&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Preprint
T3 - Proceedings of the 50th Rencontres de Moriond - 2015 Gravitation: 100 years after GR
BT - Ground Tests of Einstein's Equivalence Principle
ER -