Detection of earth rotation with a diamagnetically levitating gyroscope

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Abstract

Strong magnetic fields allow levitation of apparently nonmagnetic substances due to their weak but not negligible diamagnetic response of about 10(-5). Importantly, the diamagnetic force compensates gravity on the level of individual atoms and molecules and, therefore, can be used to mimic a continuous zero-gravity environment that, otherwise, is only achievable on board of a space station. Here we employ this earth-bound low gravity to demonstrate a simple mechanical gyroscope with sensitivity already comparable to that achieved by quantum and military gyroscopes. Our gyroscope can serve as a "shooting range" for the development of precision orbiting gyroscopes that have been a subject of intensive discussions regarding possible tests of general relativity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keyword(s)

atom interferometer; diamagnetism; gyroscope; levitation

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