New results from Nevada: A test of Newton's law using the BREN (Bare Reactor Experiment Nevada) tower and a high density ground gravity survey

Conference · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6993119

Kammeraad, J; Kasameyer, P; Fackler, O; Felske, D; Harris, R; Millett, M; Mugge, M; Thomas, J

We report new results from the LLNL test of Newton's law of gravity being conducted at the Nevada Test Site with a stable 465-m tower and a denser ground gravity survey than any used to date (823 locations within 4 km of the tower). Measurements of gravity at 12 heights on the tower were compared to predictions obtained with our surface gravity data and 60,000 measurements within 300 km provided by the USGS and NOAA. The predictions of gravity on the tower platforms were obtained using two different methods, which gave similar results. The results are consistent with Newton's law; we obtain chi-square = 4.9 with eleven degrees of freedom. We set constraints on the parameters of a hypothesized single Yukawa potential and properly included correlated uncertainties in this analysis. We show that if correlated errors are not included, the resulting constraints on the potential parameters are incorrect and appear to be stronger than in the correct analysis. 10 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6993119
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-103562; CONF-900183--4; ON: DE90010690
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657003* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Relativity & Gravitation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUNCTIONS
GRAVITATION
GREEN FUNCTION
INFORMATION
NUCLEAR POTENTIAL
NUMERICAL DATA
POTENTIALS
TESTING
YUKAWA POTENTIAL