Inverse Square Law Tests of Gravity

9309468 Boynton教授将进行两次零实验，在10厘米到100米的临界范围内测试重力平方反比定律，精度明显高于前期工作。他设计了一种新型的扭摆探测器，专门用于对偏离牛顿引力的现象提供高灵敏度。在实验设计中特别注意测量和消除重力梯度引起的系统误差源。位于汉福德能源部保留地的实验场地将由巴特尔西北实验室建造，作为他们通过LIGO项目参与引力物理的延伸。与牛顿引力描述的背离预计不会被发现。然而，这些实验将对可能作用于电中性物质的基本非引力的强度和范围设定敏感的限制。＊＊＊

9309468 Boynton Professor Boynton will conduct two null experiments to test the inverse square law of gravity in the critical range between 10 cm and 100 meters with significantly higher precision than earlier work. He has devised a new class of torsion pendulum detector designed specifically to provide high sensitivity to deviations from Newtonian gravity. Special care has gone into the experimental design to measure and remove systematic error sources due to gravity gradients. The experimental site on the Hanford DOE reservation will be constructed by Battelle Northwest Laboratories as an extension of their involvement with gravitation physics through the LIGO project. Departure's from Newton's description of gravity are not expected to be seen. Nevertheless, these experiments will set sensitive limits to the strengths and ranges of possible fundamental non gravitational forces which might act on electrically neutral matter. ***