2016/07/23 by Daniel M. Kaplan, Klaus Kirch, Kaplan, Daniel M. +13
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Muon and positron interactions and applications #Particle accelerators and beam dynamics #Atomic and Molecular Physics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1607.07434
The gravitational acceleration of antimatter, g, has yet to be directly measured but could change our understanding of gravity, the Universe, and the possibility of a fifth force. Three avenues are apparent for such a measurement: antihydrogen, positronium, and muonium, the last requiring a precision atom interferometer and benefiting from a novel muonium beam under development. The interferometer and its few-picometer alignment and calibration systems appear to be feasible. With 100 nm grating pitch, measurements of g to 10%, 1%, or better can be envisioned. This could constitute the first gravitational measurement of leptonic matter, of second-generation matter and, possibly, the first measurement of the gravitational acceleration of antimatter.