Studying antimatter gravity with muonium
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Author / Producer
Date
2018-06
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The gravitational acceleration of antimatter, g¯, has yet to be directly measured; an unexpected outcome of its measurement could change our understanding of gravity, the universe, and the possibility of a fifth force. Three avenues are apparent for such a measurement: antihydrogen, positronium, and muonium, the last requiring a precision atom interferometer and novel muonium beam under development. The interferometer and its few-picometer alignment and calibration systems appear feasible. With 100 nm grating pitch, measurements of g¯ to 10%, 1%, or better can be envisioned. These could constitute the first gravitational measurements of leptonic matter, of 2nd-generation matter, and possibly, of antimatter.
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Publication status
published
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Book title
Journal / series
Volume
6 (2)
Pages / Article No.
17
Publisher
MDPI
Event
Edition / version
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Software
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
gravity; antimatter; muonium; atom interferometer; tracking frequency gauge
Organisational unit
03864 - Kirch, Klaus / Kirch, Klaus
Notes
Funding
172639 - Precision Physics with Muons and Ultracold Neutrons (SNF)