Gravity: The biggest open question in fundamental physics

In 1985 a small group of UW nuclear and atomic experimentalists formed the Eöt-Wash collaboration to develop novel high-sensitivity torsion balances to test some of these theoretical scenarios and to search for subtle new phenomena associated with the breakdown of either of the 2 standard models. As our experimental sensitivity increased by orders of magnitudes, theorists proposed new mechanisms that we could test until a small “graveyard” of proposals was populated.

In 2021 this work was awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics “for precision measurements that test our understanding of gravity, probe the nature of dark energy, and establish limits on couplings on dark matter.” I will review the extraordinary instruments we developed and the results we obtained from testing Einstein’s equivalence principle and the gravitational inverse-square law, and probing for Planck-scale Lorentz violation using a quantum gyroscope with no moving parts.

Speakers:
Eric Adelberger, Blayne Heckel, & Jens Gundlach (2021 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Winners), University of Washington

Please submit your questions during the live lecture in the YouTube chat box or send by email to [email protected]

The Frontiers of Physics Lecture Series https://phys.washington.edu/events/se... brings renowned scientists to the University of Washington to offer free lectures on exciting advances in physics with the goal of fostering an appreciation of science and technology in our community.

For more information on series sponsorship opportunities and the Department of Physics, please contact the Physics Front Office, [email protected] or (206-543-3771).
To make a gift in support of this series please visit our giving website https://www.washington.edu/giving/mak...

University of Washington Department of Physics https://phys.washington.edu/
College of Arts and Sciences https://artsci.washington.edu/