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UC Berkeley Physicists Enhance Precision in Dark Energy Research

New atom interferometer extends observation time, advancing understanding of gravity's quantum nature and dark energy.

Physicists at UC Berkeley immobilized small clusters of cesium atoms (pink blobs) in a vertical vacuum chamber, then split each atom into a quantum state in which half of the atom was closer to a tungsten weight (shiny cylinder) than the other half (split spheres below the tungsten). By measuring the phase difference between the two halves of the atomic wave function, they were able to calculate the difference in the gravitational attraction between the two parts of the atom, which matched what is expected from Newtonian gravity. Credit: Cristian Panda/UC Berkeley
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Overview

  • Physicists at UC Berkeley have developed an advanced atom interferometer for precise gravity measurements.
  • The new instrument can hold atoms in place for up to 70 seconds, significantly longer than previous experiments.
  • This advancement allows for more accurate tests of theories involving dark energy and hypothetical particles like chameleons.
  • Despite no deviations from Newtonian gravity yet, the technology paves the way for future discoveries.
  • Potential applications include quantum sensing technologies like advanced gyroscopes and accelerometers.