Physics & Astronomy
Colloquium
Recent theories of physics beyond the standard model have predicted deviations
from Newtonian gravity at short distances. In order to test these theories, we
have a built an apparatus that can measure attonewton-scale forces between
small masses separated by distances on the order of 25 microns. A
micromachined silicon cantilever was used as the force sensor, and its
displacement was measured with a fiber interferometer. We have used our
measurements to set bounds on the magnitude alpha and length scale lambda of
Yukawa-type deviations from Newtonian gravity; our results presented here
yield the best experimental limit in the range of lambda between 5 and 50
microns. We also discuss new experiments that are underway in which
substantial improvements are expected.
3:30 PM, Friday, March 3, 2006
Room 155, Chem-Phys Building
Dr. Aharon Kapitulnik
Departments of Applied Physics and Physics
Stanford University
``Constraints on Yukawa-Type Deviations from Newtonian Gravity at sub-100
Microns''
Refreshments will be served in CP 155 at 3:15 PM