Abstract
We present a horizontal gravity gradiometer atom interferometer for precision gravitational tests. The horizontal configuration is superior for maximizing the inertial signal in the atom interferometer from a nearby proof mass. In our device, we have suppressed spurious noise associated with the horizonal configuration to achieve a differential acceleration sensitivity of over a 70-cm baseline or inferred per accelerometer. Using the performance of this instrument, we characterize the results of possible future gravitational tests. We demonstrate a statistical uncertainty of for a proof-of-concept measurement of the gravitational constant that is competitive with the present limit of using other techniques. From this measurement, we provide a statistical constraint on a Yukawa-type fifth force at near the poorly known length scale of 10 cm. Limits approaching appear feasible. We discuss improvements that can enable uncertainties falling well below for both experiments.
4 More- Received 1 December 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.91.033629
©2015 American Physical Society