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
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.
PACS: 03.75.Dg – Atom and neutron interferometry / 04.80.-y – Experimental studies of gravity / 06.20.Jr – Determination of fundamental constants
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2006
