arXiv subjects

G. Bressi

Publications and source records attributed to G. Bressi.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2011

Testing the neutrality of matter by acoustic means in a spherical resonator

New measurements to test the neutrality of matter by acoustic means are reported. The apparatus is based on a spherical capacitor filled with gaseous SF$_6$ excited by an oscillating electric field. The apparatus has been calibrated measuring the electric polarizability. Assuming charge conservation in the $β$ decay of the neutron, the experiment gives a limit of $ε_\text{p-e}\lesssim1\cdot10^{-21}$ for the electron-proton charge difference, the same limit holding for the charge of the neutron. Previous measurements are critically reviewed and found incorrect: the present result is the best limit obtained with this technique.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2004

A novel experimental approach for the detection of the dynamic Casimir effect

The Casimir effect is a well-known macroscopic consequence of quantum vacuum fluctuations, but whereas the static effect (Casimir force) has long been observed experimentally, the dynamic Casimir effect is up to now undetected. From an experimental viewpoint a possible detection would imply the vibration of a mirror at gigahertz frequencies. Mechanical motions at such frequencies turn out to be technically unfeasible. Here we present a different experimental scheme where mechanical motions are avoided, and the results of laboratory tests showing that the scheme is practically feasible. We think that at present this approach gives the only possibility of detecting this phenomenon.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Measurement of the Casimir force between parallel metallic surfaces

We report on the measurement of the Casimir force between conducting surfaces in a parallel configuration. The force is exerted between a silicon cantilever coated with chromium and a similar rigid surface and is detected looking at the shifts induced in the cantilever frequency when the latter is approached. The scaling of the force with the distance between the surfaces was tested in the 0.5 - 3.0 $μ$m range, and the related force coefficient was determined at the 15% precision level.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Infrared Fluorescence of Xe2 Molecules in beam-excited Xe Gas at high Pressure

We report experimental results of proton- and electron-beam-induced near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence in high-pressure Xe gas at room temperature. The investigated wavelength band spans the range $0.7 \leqλ\leq 1.8 μ{m}.$ In the previously unexplored range for $λ> 1.05 μ{m}$ we have detected a broad continuum NIR fluorescence at $λ\approx 1.3 μ{m}$ that shifts towards longer wavelengths as pressure is increased up to $1.5 {MPa}.$ We believe that this continuum is produced in a way similar to the VUV continua of noble gas excimers and that the pressure-dependent shift can be explained by the interaction of the outer electron of the excimer with the gas.

physics.plasm-ph↗