Year: 2016
Type: preprint
Abstract: The gravitational acceleration of antimatter, $\bar g$, has yet to be directly measured but could change our understanding of gravity, the Universe, and the possibility of a fifth force. Three avenues are apparent for such a measurement: antihydrogen, positronium, and muonium, the last requiring a precision atom interferometer and benefiting from a novel muonium beam under development. The interferometer and its few-picometer alignment and calibration systems appear to be feasible. With 100 nm grating pitch, measurements of $\bar g$ to 10%, 1%, or better can be envisioned. This could constitute the first gravitational measurement of leptonic matter, of second-generation matter and, possibly, the first measurement of the gravitational acceleration of antimatter.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Kaplan, Daniel M., Kirch, Klaus, Mancini, Derrick C., Phillips, James D., Phillips, Thomas J., Reasenberg, Robert D., Roberts, Thomas J., Terry, Jeff
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2951848165