Showing papers by "Jens H. Gundlach published in 2007"

Tests of the gravitational inverse-square law below the dark-energy length scale.

Abstract: We conducted three torsion-balance experiments to test the gravitational inverse-square law at separations between 9.53 mm and $55\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, probing distances less than the dark-energy length scale ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{d}=\sqrt[4]{\ensuremath{\hbar}c/{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{d}}\ensuremath{\approx}85\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. We find with 95% confidence that the inverse-square law holds ($|\ensuremath{\alpha}|\ensuremath{\le}1$) down to a length scale $\ensuremath{\lambda}=56\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and that an extra dimension must have a size $R\ensuremath{\le}44\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$.

Laboratory Test of Newton’s Second Law for Small Accelerations

Abstract: Newton's second law is the equation of motion defining the field of dynamics. In its nonrelativistic form, ~ Fm ~ a is perhaps the most famous and most often used equation of physics. Together with its relativistic and quantum me- chanical variants, this law is implicitly tested in many applications and experiments, and its validity is simply assumed at all acceleration scales. Any deviation from ~ Fm ~

Laboratory Test of Newton's Second Law for Small Accelerations

Abstract: We have tested the proportionality of force and acceleration in Newton's second law, F=ma, in the limit of small forces and accelerations. Our tests reach well below the acceleration scales relevant to understanding several current astrophysical puzzles such as the flatness of galactic rotation curves, the Pioneer anomaly, and the Hubble acceleration. We find good agreement with Newton's second law at accelerations as small as 5 x 10(-14) m/s(2).

Outgassing, Temperature Gradients and the Radiometer Effect in LISA: A Torsion Pendulum Investigation

Abstract: Thermal modeling of the LISA gravitational reference sensor (GRS) includes such effects as outgassing from the proof mass and its housing and the radiometer effect. Experimental data in conditions emulating the LISA GRS are required to confidently predict the GRS performance. Outgassing and the radiometer effect are similar in characteristics and are difficult to decouple experimentally. The design of our torsion balance allows us to investigate differential radiation pressure, the radiometer effect, and outgassing on closely separated conducting surfaces with high sensitivity. A thermally controlled split copper plate is brought near a freely hanging plate-torsion pendulum.We have varied the temperature on each half of the copper plate and have measured the resulting forces on the pendulum. We have determined that to first order the current GRS model for the radiometer effect, outgassing, and radiation pressure are mostly consistent with our torsion balance measurements and therefore these thermal effects do not appear to be a large hindrance to the LISA noise budget. However, there remain discrepancies between the predicted dependence of these effects on the temperature of our apparatus.

High Sensitivity Torsion Balance Tests for LISA Proof Mass Modeling

Abstract: We have built a highly sensitive torsion balance to investigate small forces between closely spaced gold coated surfaces. Such forces will occur between the LISA proof mass and its housing. These forces are not well understood and experimental investigations are imperative. We describe our torsion balance and present the noise of the system. A significant contribution to the LISA noise budget at low frequencies is the fluctuation in the surface potential difference between the proof mass and its housing. We present first results of these measurements with our apparatus.