Eur. Phys. J. D 40, 271-279 (2006)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2006-00212-2

Atom interferometry gravity-gradiometer for the determination of the Newtonian gravitational constant G

Dipartimento di Fisica and LENS, Università di Firenze, INFN, Sezione di Firenze, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy

Received: 14 June 2006
Revised: 11 August 2006
Published online: 15 September 2006

Abstract

We developed a gravity-gradiometer based on atom interferometry for the determination of the Newtonian gravitational constant G. The apparatus, combining a Rb fountain, Raman interferometry and a juggling scheme for fast launch of two atomic clouds, was specifically designed to reduce possible systematic effects. We present instrument performances and preliminary results for the measurement of G with a relative uncertainty of 1%. A discussion of projected accuracy for G measurement using this new scheme shows that the results of the experiment will be significant to discriminate between previous inconsistent values.