Application of high performance LTS SQUID systems in gravitational experiments

Author

Vodel, W. ; Koch, H. ; Nietzsche, S. ; Glyscinski, J.V.Z. ; Neubert, R. ; Pilz, M. ; Dittus, H. ; Lochmann, S. ; Mehls, C. ; Lockowandt, D.

Author_Institution

Inst. fur Festkorperphys., Friedrich-Schiller-Univ., Jena, Germany

Volume

9

Issue

2

fYear

1999

fDate

6/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

4119

Lastpage

4122

Abstract

The design of a Galilean-type free-fall experiment to test Einstein´s equivalence principle at an improved level of sensitivity is described. Two test bodies of different material fall down from a height of 109 m inside of an evacuated drop tube (Drop Tower Facility Bremen, Germany). Their possible relative displacement is measured using LTS DC SQUID based position sensors. Experiences and results of this experiment meet directly the current STEP project of NASA/ESA to test the Equivalence Principle in space at a level of one part in 10/sup 18/. Several issues of the developed measuring system are discussed, above all, the performance of two types of SQUID position sensors. Furthermore some recent results of free fall tests of components of the measuring system at the Bremen Drop Tower are presented.

Keywords

SQUIDs; electric sensing devices; gravitational experiments; position measurement; 109 m; ESA; Einstein´s equivalence principle; Galilean-type free-fall experiment; NASA; STEP project; evacuated drop tube; gravitational experiments; high performance LTS SQUID systems; position sensors; relative displacement; Displacement measurement; Gravity; Poles and towers; Position measurement; Robust stability; SQUIDs; Superconducting device noise; Testing; Time measurement; Vibration measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.783932

Filename

783932