Copy of Precision tests of gravitation at short ranges
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
In physics progress is made by making theories more simple and more universal. This continues the tradition started by Isaac Newton and Michael Faraday where the seemingly disparate and complicated became unified and pleasingly simple. At present there is conflict between the theories that describe phenomena at the very smallest scales, probed by particle accelerators like the LHC, and the very largest scales as observed through telescopes by astronomers. Quantum theory has successfully described the forces of the sub-atomic world and Faraday's forces of electricity and magnetism. On the other hand the evolution of the Universe is described, according to Einstein's relativity, by the bending of space and time by matter. Both these theories are flawed as they are strongly mutually exclusive. The main reason for this incompatibility is the apparent weakness of gravitation compared with the other forces. Physicists have boldly postulated that, fundamentally, gravity is significantly stronger than it appears to us. In order to sense its full strength we have to design experiments that can explore space at the scale of 10 or so micrometers (which is thinner than a human hair). If gravity were found to be stronger at these distances this would be convincing evidence for a new theory of quantum gravity called String Theory and a number of deep-rooted problems associated with the unification of gravity and quantum theory could be resolved, hopefully leading to a simplified and more pleasing view of the Universe.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Clive Speake (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Gettings C
(2019)
A method for reducing the adverse effects of stray-capacitance on capacitive sensor circuits.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Nelson MJ
(2016)
A cryogenic optical feedthrough using polarization maintaining fibers.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Pena-Arellano Fabian E.
(2011)
Mirror tilt immunity interferometry with a cat's eye retroreflector
in APPLIED OPTICS
Speake C
(2018)
Torsion balances with fibres of zero length
in Physics Letters A
Speake CC
(2015)
Pseudo-cat's eye for improved tilt-immune interferometry.
in Applied optics
Description | We have continued to make progress on the original grant without STFC funding. We have made progress on methods of making flat foil test masses (80mm diameter with flatness of 20 um) and the new torsion balance with zero length fibres. |
Exploitation Route | We will need further funding to do this. Further application for support may be appropriate within the next year. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Our paper on Torsion balances with zero length fibres is the basis of a new type of seismometer thaty can be used for geophysics and fundamental physics. We are currently working on a paper that explores this possibility. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Leverhulme Trust Research Grant |
Amount | £242,820 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RPG-2012-674 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 08/2016 |
Description | University of Birmingham EPSRC Follow on Fund |
Amount | £53,972 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UOBFOF27 |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |