Abstract
The thesis describes an experimental test of Einstein’s Equivalence Principle using a long-period torsion balance. The instrument was operated for a period of ~ 5 months in a remote laboratory at Tyson Research Center. The angular orientation of the balance was recorded with an autocollimating optical lever. Environmental parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, were also recorded. The thesis focuses on the analysis of this data. Accordingly, novel image processing and tracking algorithms were developed to measure the deflections of the balance over the duration of the experiment. A model of the signal arising from any violation of the equivalence principle was developed and the data was analyzed to search for such signals. Finally, the results of the analysis are presented.
Committee Chair
Ramanath Cowsik
Committee Members
Kater Murch, Henric Krawczynski, James Buckley, Rajan Chakrabarty,
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Author's Department
Physics
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2019
Language
English (en)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7936/hz19-8n26
Recommended Citation
Jeyakumar, Maneesh, "A Test of the Equivalence Principle using a Long-Period Torsion Balance" (2019). Arts & Sciences Theses and Dissertations. 1766.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.7936/hz19-8n26
Comments
Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/63ej-vy88