Gyros, Clocks, Interferometers…: Testing Relativistic Graviy in Space

Kenneth Nordtvedt (auth.), Claus Lämmerzahl, C. W. Francis Everitt, Friedrich W. Hehl (eds.)3540412360, 9783540412366

Many new tests of gravity and, in particular, of Einstein’s general relativity theory will be carried out in the near future: The Lense–Thirring effect and the equivalence principle will be tested in space; moreover, gravitational waves will be detected, and new atomic interferometers and clocks will be built for measurements in gravitational and inertial fields. New high-precision devices have made these experiments feasible. They will contribute to a better understanding of gravitational physics. Both experimental developments and the theoretical concepts are collected in this volume. Exhaustive reviews give an overall insight into the subject of experimental gravitation.

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Table of contents :
An Overview of Solar System Gravitational Physics: The Theory—Experiment Interface….Pages 3-14
Determination of the Gravitational Constant….Pages 15-28
The Lense—Thirring Effect: From the Basic Notions to the Observed Effects….Pages 31-51
Gravity Probe B: Countdown to Launch….Pages 52-82
Gravitomagnetism and the Clock Effect….Pages 83-108
Spinning Relativistic Particles in External Fields….Pages 109-128
The GEO 600 Gravitational Wave Detector Status, Research, Development….Pages 131-140
Gravitational Radiation Theory and Light Propagation….Pages 141-166
Relic Gravitational Waves and Their Detection….Pages 167-192
Principles of Equivalence: Their Role in Gravitation Physics and Experiments That Test Them….Pages 195-212
STEP: A Status Report….Pages 213-247
High Sensitive DC SQUID Based Position Detectors for Application in Gravitational Experiments at the Drop Tower Bremen….Pages 248-272
Space Accelerometers: Present Status….Pages 273-291
Searching for Extra Dimensions and New String-Inspired Forces in the Casimir Regime….Pages 292-309
Relativistic Effects in the Motion of the Moon….Pages 310-316
Lunar Laser Ranging — A Comprehensive Probe of the Post-Newtonian Long Range Interaction….Pages 317-329
Testing Relativistic Gravityand Measuring Solar System Parameters via Optical Space Missions….Pages 330-343
Clocks for Length and Time Measurement….Pages 347-368
SpaceTime Mission: Clock Test of Relativityat Four Solar Radii….Pages 369-380
Pulsar Timing — Strong Gravity Clock Experiments….Pages 381-399
Relativistic Phase Shifts for Dirac Particles Interacting with Weak Gravitational Fields in Matter—Wave Interferometers….Pages 403-438
Spin in Gravity….Pages 439-456
Spin in Special and General Relativity….Pages 457-462
Testing the Dirac Equation….Pages 463-476
How Does the Electromagnetic Field Couple to Gravity, in Particular to Metric, Nonmetricity, Torsion, and Curvature?….Pages 479-504