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arXiv · 1011.3467

A quick test of the WEP enabled by a sounding rocket

Robert D. Reasenberg·Enrico C. Lorenzini·Biju R. Patla·James D. Phillips·Eugeniu E. Popescu·Emanuele Rocco·Rajesh Thapa
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Abstract

We describe SR-POEM, a Galilean test of the weak equivalence principle, which is to be conducted during the free fall portion of a sounding rocket flight. This test of a single pair of substances is aimed at a measurement uncertainty of σ(η) < 10-16 after averaging the results of eight separate drops, each of 40 s duration. The weak equivalence principle measurement is made with a set of four laser gauges that are expected to achieve 0.1 pm/\sqrt{Hz}. We address the two sources of systematic error that are currently of greatest concern, magnetic force and electrostatic (patch effect) force on the test mass assemblies. The discovery of a violation (η\not= 0) would have profound implications for physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

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Robert D. Reasenberg, Enrico C. Lorenzini, Biju R. Patla, James D. Phillips, Eugeniu E. Popescu, Emanuele Rocco, Rajesh Thapa. 2010-11-15. A quick test of the WEP enabled by a sounding rocket. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F28%2F9%2F094014

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