We present two novel methods, tested by LISA Pathfinder, to measure the gravitational constant G for the first time in space. Experiment 1 uses electrostatic suspension forces to measure a change in acceleration of a test mass due to a displaced source mass. Experiment 2 measures a change in relative acceleration between two test masses due to a slowly varying fuel tank mass. Experiment 1 gave a value of G=6.71±0.42(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1 and experiment 2 gave 6.15±0.35(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1, both consistent with each other to 1σ and with the CODATA 2014 recommended value of 6.67408±0.00031(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1 to 2σ. We outline several ideas to improve the results for a future experiment, and we suggest that a measurement in space would isolate many terrestrial issues that could be responsible for the inconsistencies between recent measurements.

Novel methods to measure the gravitational constant in space / Armano, M., Audley, H., Baird, J., Binetruy, P., Born, M., Bortoluzzi, D., Castelli, E., Cavalleri, A., Cesarini, A., Cruise, A.M., Danzmann, K., De Deus Silva, M., Diepholz, I., Dixon, G., Dolesi, R., Ferraioli, L., Ferroni, V., Fitzsimons, E.D., Freschi, M., Gesa, L., et al.. - In: PHYSICAL REVIEW D. - ISSN 2470-0010. - 100:6(2019). [10.1103/PhysRevD.100.062003]

Novel methods to measure the gravitational constant in space

Born M.;Bortoluzzi D.;Castelli E.;Cavalleri A.;Cesarini A.;Dolesi R.;Ferraioli L.;Ferroni V.;Gibert F.;Giusteri R.;Hueller M.;Liu L.;Pivato P.;Reiche J.;Rivas F.;Russano G.;Vetrugno D.;Vitale S.;Wass P. J.;Weber W. J.;
2019-01-01

Abstract

We present two novel methods, tested by LISA Pathfinder, to measure the gravitational constant G for the first time in space. Experiment 1 uses electrostatic suspension forces to measure a change in acceleration of a test mass due to a displaced source mass. Experiment 2 measures a change in relative acceleration between two test masses due to a slowly varying fuel tank mass. Experiment 1 gave a value of G=6.71±0.42(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1 and experiment 2 gave 6.15±0.35(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1, both consistent with each other to 1σ and with the CODATA 2014 recommended value of 6.67408±0.00031(×10-11) m3 s-2 kg-1 to 2σ. We outline several ideas to improve the results for a future experiment, and we suggest that a measurement in space would isolate many terrestrial issues that could be responsible for the inconsistencies between recent measurements.
2019
6
Armano, M.; Audley, H.; Baird, J.; Binetruy, P.; Born, M.; Bortoluzzi, D.; Castelli, E.; Cavalleri, A.; Cesarini, A.; Cruise, A. M.; Danzmann, K.; De ...espandi
Novel methods to measure the gravitational constant in space / Armano, M., Audley, H., Baird, J., Binetruy, P., Born, M., Bortoluzzi, D., Castelli, E., Cavalleri, A., Cesarini, A., Cruise, A.M., Danzmann, K., De Deus Silva, M., Diepholz, I., Dixon, G., Dolesi, R., Ferraioli, L., Ferroni, V., Fitzsimons, E.D., Freschi, M., Gesa, L., et al.. - In: PHYSICAL REVIEW D. - ISSN 2470-0010. - 100:6(2019). [10.1103/PhysRevD.100.062003]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/255711
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