The status of experimental tests of general relativity and of theoretical frameworks for analyzing them is reviewed and updated. Einstein’s equivalence principle (EEP) is well supported by experiments such as the Eotvos experiment, tests of local Lorentz invariance and clock experiments. Ongoing tests of EEP and of the inverse square law are searching for new interactions arising from unification or quantum gravity. Tests of general relativity at the post-Newtonian level have reached high precision, including the light deflection, the Shapiro time delay, the perihelion advance of Mercury, the Nordtvedt effect in lunar motion, and frame-dragging. Gravitational wave damping has been detected in an amount that agrees with general relativity to better than half a percent using the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar, and a growing family of other binary pulsar systems is yielding new tests, especially of strong-field effects. Current and future tests of relativity will center on strong gravity and gravitational waves.

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The Confrontation Between General Relativity and Experiment

New technological advances have made it feasible to conduct measurements with precision levels which are suitable for experimental tests of the theory of general relativity. This book has been designed to fill a new need for a complete treatment of techniques for analyzing gravitation theory and experience. The Einstein equivalence principle and the foundations of gravitation theory are considered, taking into account the Dicke framework, basic criteria for the viability of a gravitation theory, experimental tests of the Einstein equivalence principle, Schiff's conjecture, and a model theory devised by Lightman and Lee (1973). Gravitation as a geometric phenomenon is considered along with the parametrized post-Newtonian formalism, the classical tests, tests of the strong equivalence principle, gravitational radiation as a tool for testing relativistic gravity, the binary pulsar, and cosmological tests.

Theory and Experiment in Gravitational Physics

The status of experimental tests of general relativity and of theoretical frameworks for analysing them are reviewed. Einstein's equivalence principle (EEP) is well supported by experiments such as the Eotvos experiment, tests of special relativity, and the gravitational redshift experiment. Future tests of EEP and of the inverse square law will search for new interactions arising from unification or quantum gravity. Tests of general relativity at the post-Newtonian level have reached high precision, including the light deflection, the Shapiro time delay, the perihelion advance of Mercury, and the Nordtvedt effect in lunar motion. Gravitational wave damping has been detected to half a percent using the binary pulsar, and new binary pulsar systems may yield further improvements. When direct observation of gravitational radiation from astrophysical sources begins, new tests of general relativity will be possible.

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The Confrontation between General Relativity and Experiment

This textbook explores approximate solutions to general relativity and their consequences. It offers a unique presentation of Einstein's theory by developing powerful methods that can be applied to astrophysical systems. Beginning with a uniquely thorough treatment of Newtonian gravity, the book develops post-Newtonian and post-Minkowskian approximation methods to obtain weak-field solutions to the Einstein field equations. The book explores the motion of self-gravitating bodies, the physics of gravitational waves, and the impact of radiative losses on gravitating systems. It concludes with a brief overview of alternative theories of gravity. Ideal for graduate courses on general relativity and relativistic astrophysics, the book examines real-life applications, such as planetary motion around the Sun, the timing of binary pulsars, and gravitational waves emitted by binary black holes. Text boxes explore related topics and provide historical context, and over 100 exercises present challenging tests of the material covered in the main text.

Gravity: Newtonian, Post-Newtonian, Relativistic

We review the experimental evidence for Einstein's special and general relativity. A variety of high precision null experiments
 verify the weak equivalence principle and local Lorentz invariance,
 while gravitational redshift and other clock experiments support local
 position invariance. Together these results confirm the
 Einstein Equivalence Principle which underlies the concept that
 gravitation must be
 described by a metric theory.
 Solar system experiments that test the weak-field, post-Newtonian
 limit of metric theories strongly favor
 general relativity. The Binary
 Pulsar provides tests of gravitational-wave damping
 and of strong-field general relativity. Recently discovered binary
 pulsar systems may provide additional tests. Ongoing and future
 experiments, such as the Gravity Probe B Gyroscope
 Experiment, satellite tests of the Equivalence principle, and tests of
 gravity at short distance to look for extra spatial dimensions could constrain extensions of general relativity.
 Laser interferometric
 gravitational-wave observatories on Earth and in space may provide new tests
 of gravitational theory via detailed measurements of the properties of gravitational waves.

T. Alväger

Papers

TEST OF THE SECOND POSTULATE OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY IN THE Gev REGION