Measuring Newton's Gravitational Constant With a Gravitational Oscillator

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to measure Newton's gravitational constant G using a gravitational oscillator, which could improve accuracy and test deviations from Newtonian gravity.

Contribution

A new measurement technique based on a gravitational oscillator that relies solely on gravitational forces and can potentially reduce systematic errors.

Findings

Method offers an alternative to terrestrial measurements.

Can detect deviations from Newtonian gravity.

Provides a different systematic error profile.

Abstract

Newton's gravitational constant G, which determines the strength of gravitational interactions both in Newton's theory and in Einstein's General Relativity, is the least well known of all the fundamental constants. Given its importance, and with recent disparities between experimental measurements, a new approach is suggested. It is based on a purely gravitational oscillator without any non-gravitational restoring forces. The suggested technique is based on the oscillation period of a test mass oscillating through a hole bored in a solid sphere in free space, or, equivalently, in orbit. The period of oscillation depends only on the density of the solid sphere, providing a method with systematic errors different from terrestrial approaches to the determination of G. Deviations from standard Newtonian gravity and the equality of gravitational and inertial mass can also be searched for.