Null Test of Newton's Law of Gravitation on a 100-Micrometer Scale

该奖项支持一项实验研究计划，以测试牛顿的引力平方反比定律，在100微米范围内优于100分之一，并寻找10微米以下的假想额外空间维度。 用于重力测量的源质量被设计成不产生牛顿信号。 为了减少可能掩盖信号的热噪声，实验被冷却到液氦温度。 任何违反平方反比定律的信号都会被一个由两个超导测试质量组成的高灵敏度超导差分加速度计检测到。这项研究将探索时空的本质，并测试广义相对论和粒子物理标准模型之外的理论基础。 在短距离内对牛顿定律的偏离的确认观察将彻底改变我们对引力的理解，并可能导致所有基本力的统一。 本实验室开发的用于测量极弱力的低温技术在其他需要测量微小力的各种领域具有潜在价值。

This award supports an experimental research program to test Newton's inverse-square law of gravitation to better than one part in 100 at a 100-micrometer range and to search for hypothetical extra space dimensions down to 10 micrometers. The source mass for the gravitational force measurement is designed to generate no Newtonian signal. To reduce thermal noise that could mask a signal, the experiment is cooled to liquid helium temperatures. Any inverse-square law violation signal is detected by a highly sensitive superconducting differential accelerometer formed by two superconducting test masses.This research will explore the very nature of spacetime and test the foundations of General Relativity and theories beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The confirmed observation of a deviation from Newton's law at short distance would revolutionize our understanding of gravity and could lead to a unification of all fundamental forces. The cryogenic technique that this laboratory has developed for measuring extremely weak forces is of potential value in a variety of other fields which require measurement of minute forces.