An experiment to detect gravity at sub-mm scale with high-Q mechanical oscillators

Silicon double paddle oscillators are well suited for the detection of weak forces because of their high Q factor (about 10^5 at room temperature). We describe an experiment aimed at the detection of gravitational forces between masses at sub-mm distance using such an oscillator. Gravitational excitation is produced by a rotating aluminium disk with platinum segments. The force sensitivity of this apparatus is about 10 fN at room temperature for 1000 s averaging time at room temperature. The current limitations to detection of the gravitational force are mentioned.Comment: 19 pages, to appear in Proceedings of the Tenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting on General Relativity, edited by M. Novello, S. Perez-Bergliaffa and R. Ruffini, World Scientific. Revision: portable format and revised figure

An experiment to detect gravity at sub-mm scale with high Q mechanical oscillators,” presented at the Tenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting on General Relativity, Rio de Janeiro

Silicon double paddle oscillators are well suited for the detection of weak forces because of their high Q factor (about 10 5 at room temperature). We describe an experiment aimed at the detection of gravitational forces between masses at sub-mm distance using such an oscillator. Gravitational excitation is produced by a rotating aluminium disk with platinum segments. The force sensitivity of this apparatus is about 10 fN at room temperature for 1000 s averaging time at room temperature. The current limitations to detection of the gravitational force are mentioned