Title :
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
fDate :
6/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
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;
Journal_Title :
Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on
