Hannover 2016 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 6: Precision Measurements and Metrology II (with A)

Q 6.5: Vortrag

Montag, 29. Februar 2016, 15:30–15:45, a310

Quantum Test of the Universality of Free Fall in small and large scale devices — •Henning Albers, Christian Meiners, Dipankar Nath, Logan L. Richardson, Dennis Schlippert, Christian Schubert, Etienne Wodey, Wolfgang Ertmer, and Ernst M. Rasel — Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover

The foundation of general relativity is constituted by Einstein’s equivalence principle, which is based on three postulates. One of them is the Universality of Free Fall (UFF), which can be tested by observing the free fall motion of a pair of test masses. Those tests have reached high precision with macroscopic objects [1].

The development of atom optics gives access to new types of inertial sensors to test fundamental physics. By comparing the differential acceleration measured by a simultaneous dual species Mach-Zehnder type atom interferometer we perform a quantum test of the UFF employing the two chemical elements, ³⁹K and ⁸⁷Rb [2]. We show the latest results as well as the improvements of the experiment aiming towards a test at a ppb uncertainty. To reach this level we will increase the stability and accuracy of the apparatus by using a dipole trap. Another step towards higher sensitivity will be the upscaling towards the 10 m Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometer (VLBAI) apparatus working with Rb and Yb[3].

[1] J. Müller et al., Class. Quantum Grav. 29 184006 (2012)

[2] D. Schlippert et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 203002 (2014)

[3] J. Hartwig et al., New J. Phys. 17, 035011 (2015)