AbstractThe weak equivalence principle (EP) represents a corner stone in the general theory of relativity [1]. The validity of this postulate was and is currently tested in different groups with different systems. Among this multitude of methods atom interferometry is considered to be one of the most promising tools in performing high-precision measurements [2]. Using two atom species in free fall with different masses allows comparing two independent measurements of g. This is made possible by creating a mixture of two atomic species at a temperature close to absolute zero. This regime is suitable for the observation of matter waves at long time scales needed for high-precision quantum tests. In this letter an overview of the developments of our quantum sensor devices is done. The up-to-date progress and future prospects in our group of these ambitious and technically challenging projects are briefly presented as well.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Quantum tests of the equivalence principle with atom interferometry


    Contributors:
    Gaaloul, Naceur (author) / Ahlers, H. (author) / Schulze, T.A. (author) / Singh, Y. (author) / Seidel, S.T. (author) / Herr, W. (author) / Ertmer, W. (author) / Rasel, E. (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 67 , 9-10 ; 1059-1062


    Publication date :

    2010-06-24


    Size :

    4 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






    Equivalence principle tests in earth orbit

    Worden, P.W. Jr. | Elsevier | 1977



    Theoretical Motivations for Equivalence Principle Tests

    Fayet, P. / International Council of Scientific Unions | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003