Session R5: Measuring Big G

Measurements of the gravitational constant - why we need new ideas

In this presentation, I will summarize measurements of the Newtonian constant of gravitation, big G, that have been carried out in the last 30 years. I will describe key techniques that were used by researchers around the world to determine G. Unfortunately, the data set is inconsistent with itself under the assumption that the gravitational constant does not vary in space or time, an assumption that has been tested by other experiments. Currently, several research groups have reported measurements with relative uncertainties below $2\times 10^{-5}$, however, the relative difference between the smallest and largest reported number exceeds $5\times 10^{-4}$. It is embarrassing that after over 200 years of measuring the gravitational constant, we do not have a better understanding of the numerical value of this constant. Clearly, we need new ideas to tackle this problem and now is the time to come forward with new ideas. The National Science Foundation is currently soliciting proposals for an Ideas Lab on measuring big G. In the second part of the presentation, I will introduce the Ideas Lab on big G and I am hoping to motivate the audience to think about new ideas to measure G and encourage them to apply to participate in the Ideas Lab.   

Precision measurements in gravitational physics and determination of G using atom interferometry.

I will report on the results of our recent experiments to test gravitational physics using quantum sensors based on atom interferometry and in particular on the determination of the value of the Newtonian gravitational constant. I will discuss also ideas and prospects for future experiments.   

Other ways of measuring `Big G'

In 1798, the British scientist Henry Cavendish performed the first laboratory experiment to determine the gravitational force between two massive bodies. From his result, Newton's gravitational constant, G, was calculated. Cavendish's measurement principle was the torsion balance invented by John Michell some 15 years before. During the following two centuries, more than 300 new measurements followed. Although technology -- and physics -- developed rapidly during this time, surprisingly, most experiments were still based on the same principle. In fact, the most accurate determination of G to date is a measurement based on the torsion balance principle. Despite the fact that G was one of the first fundamental physical constants ever measured, and despite the huge number of experiments performed on it to this day, its CODATA recommended value still has the highest standard measurement uncertainty when compared to other fundamental physical constants. Even more serious is the fact that even measurements based on the same principle often do not overlap within their attributed standard uncertainties. It must be assumed that various experiments are subject to one or more unknown biases. In this talk I will present some alternative experimental setups to the torsion balance which have been performed or proposed to measure G. Although their estimated uncertainties are often higher than most torsion balance experiments, revisiting such ideas is worthwhile. Advances in technology could offer solutions to problems which were previously insurmountable, these solutions could result in lower measurement uncertainties. New measurement principles could also help to uncover hidden systematic effects.