Abstract - We describe a Galilean test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP), which is to be conducted during the free fall portion of a sounding rocket flight. This test of a single pair of substances is aimed at a measurement uncertainty of σ(η) < 10^–16 after averaging the results of eight separate drops, each of 40 s duration. The WEP measurement is made with a set of four laser gauges that are expected to achieve 0.1 pm Hz^–1/2. We address the two sources of systematic error that are currently of greatest concern: magnetic force and electrostatic (patch effect) force on the test mass assemblies. The discovery of a violation (η = 0) would have profound implications for physics, astrophysics and cosmology. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.
A quick test of the WEP enabled by a sounding rocket
LORENZINI, ENRICO;
2011
Abstract
Abstract - We describe a Galilean test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP), which is to be conducted during the free fall portion of a sounding rocket flight. This test of a single pair of substances is aimed at a measurement uncertainty of σ(η) < 10^–16 after averaging the results of eight separate drops, each of 40 s duration. The WEP measurement is made with a set of four laser gauges that are expected to achieve 0.1 pm Hz^–1/2. We address the two sources of systematic error that are currently of greatest concern: magnetic force and electrostatic (patch effect) force on the test mass assemblies. The discovery of a violation (η = 0) would have profound implications for physics, astrophysics and cosmology. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.
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