Düsseldorf 2007 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 13: Präzisionsmessungen I
Q 13.4: Talk
Monday, March 19, 2007, 17:30–17:45, 5L
A Test of Lorentz Invariance Using Rotating Optical High-Finesse Resonators — •Katharina Möhle, Sven Herrmann, Alexander Senger, Roberto Vannucchi, Evgeny Kovalchuk, and Achim Peters — Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Physik, AG Quantenoptik und Metrologie, Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin
We present an improved setup of a modern Michelson-Morley experiment testing Lorentz invariance in electrodynamics. Within a long-term measurement the experiment aims to investigate a hypothetical anisotropy of the speed of light at the level of 10−17. The experiment compares the resonance frequencies of two crossed optical high-finesse resonators, implemented in a single block of fused silica and continuously rotating on a high-performance airbearing turntable. Besides common-mode rejection of cavity length fluctuations, the new setup further benefits from the use of an active vibration isolation, and a low level of systematic effects due to accurate control of rotation axis tilt. We report on the current status of the experiment and discuss the performance limiting role of thermal noise for cavities made from different materials.