MEGANTE | MEasuring the Gravitational constant with Atom interferometry for Novel fundamental physics TEst

Summary
Starting from the original experiment performed by Henry Cavendish more than two centuries ago, the precision determination of the gravitational constant G remains a challenging endeavour. It has been measured about a dozen times over the last 50 years, but the results have varied much more than what would be expected from random and
systematic errors. Likely, this is due to the fact that, so far, all the past experiments have relied on macroscopic classical instruments, which could all be governed by uncontrolled mechanical influences. On the other hand, a recent controversial study about correlations between the measured values of G and the variations of the length of day seems to suggest that some other not well-understood effects could be present.

MEGANTE will address all these issues by carrying out precision G determinations making use of original experimental strategies based on quantum sensors. Unprecedented accuracy levels will be achieved using cold atoms in free-fall to probe the gravitational field, surpassing thus the state-of-art measurements based on torsion balance and simple pendulum.

In parallel, MEGANTE will provide results that go far beyond the pure metrological interest. Indeed, owing the lack of a full understanding of gravity, several theoretical models predict new physics phenomena such violations of the inverse square law or a dependency of the G value from the local density of the matter. These aspects of the gravitational interactions will be thoroughly examined during the project, improving current constrains on those theories.

MEGANTE will define a novel paradigm for precision G measurements and experiments on gravitation, paving the way for a final resolution of a two-centuries-old problem in metrology.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/804815
Start date: 01-02-2019
End date: 31-07-2025
Total budget - Public funding: 1 550 000,00 Euro - 1 550 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Starting from the original experiment performed by Henry Cavendish more than two centuries ago, the precision determination of the gravitational constant G remains a challenging endeavour. It has been measured about a dozen times over the last 50 years, but the results have varied much more than what would be expected from random and
systematic errors. Likely, this is due to the fact that, so far, all the past experiments have relied on macroscopic classical instruments, which could all be governed by uncontrolled mechanical influences. On the other hand, a recent controversial study about correlations between the measured values of G and the variations of the length of day seems to suggest that some other not well-understood effects could be present.

MEGANTE will address all these issues by carrying out precision G determinations making use of original experimental strategies based on quantum sensors. Unprecedented accuracy levels will be achieved using cold atoms in free-fall to probe the gravitational field, surpassing thus the state-of-art measurements based on torsion balance and simple pendulum.

In parallel, MEGANTE will provide results that go far beyond the pure metrological interest. Indeed, owing the lack of a full understanding of gravity, several theoretical models predict new physics phenomena such violations of the inverse square law or a dependency of the G value from the local density of the matter. These aspects of the gravitational interactions will be thoroughly examined during the project, improving current constrains on those theories.

MEGANTE will define a novel paradigm for precision G measurements and experiments on gravitation, paving the way for a final resolution of a two-centuries-old problem in metrology.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2018-STG

Update Date

27-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2018
ERC-2018-STG