Effect of Gravity on Gamma Radiation

R. V. Pound and J. L. Snider
Phys. Rev. 140, B788 – Published 8 November 1965
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Abstract

Recoil-free resonant absorption of the 14.4-keV γ ray in Fe57 has been employed to measure the effect of gravity over a 75-ft vertical path in the Jefferson Laboratory, in an improved version of the experiment of Pound and Rebka. A Co57 source, initially 1.25 Ci, large-windowed proportional counters, and an enriched absorber foil 15 in. in diameter permitted a much increased counting rate. The employment of temperature-regulated ovens for source and absorbers and a redesigned monitor system to detect variations in waveform of the source velocity effected a reduction in systematic uncertainties. The result found was (0.9990±0.0076) times the value 4.905×1015 of 2ghc2 predicted from the principle of equivalence. The range given here is the statistical standard deviation set by the number of counts involved. An estimated limit of systematic error is 0.010.

  • Received 26 May 1965

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.140.B788

©1965 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. V. Pound and J. L. Snider

  • Laboratory of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Issue

Vol. 140, Iss. 3B — November 1965

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