Curvature of space-time measured using 'atomic fountain'

[Grim Reaper 6]

Gravity might be an early subject in introductory physics classes, but that doesn't mean scientists aren't still trying to measure it with ever-increasing precision. Now, a group of physicists has done it using the effects of time dilation — the slowing of time caused by increased velocity or gravitational force — on atoms. In a paper published online today (Jan. 13) in the journal Science, the researchers announce that they've been able to measure the curvature of space-time.

The experiment is part of an area of science called atom interferometry. It takes advantage of a principle of quantum mechanics: just as a light wave can be represented as a particle, a particle (such as an atom) can be represented as a "wave packet." And just as light waves can overlap and create interference, so too can matter wave packets.

https://www.livescience.com/curvature-space-time-atomic-fountain

Observation of a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect: Peer Reviewed Journal: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl7152

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Edited January 15, 2022 by Manwon Lender