Status of the GINGER project

TL;DR

The GINGER project aims to develop large ring laser gyroscopes with ultra-high sensitivity to measure Earth's rotation and test fundamental physics, including general relativity and Lorentz violation, while also contributing to geophysical research.

Contribution

This paper reports on the status and recent progress of the GINGER project, including the development of a prototype with sensitivity reaching 1 part in 10^{11} of Earth's rotation rate.

Findings

Prototype GINGERINO achieved high sensitivity levels.

Expected sensitivity of GINGER is 10^{-9} or better for fundamental physics tests.

The project is integrated with the UGSS observatory for geophysical studies.

Abstract

Large frame Ring laser gyroscopes, based on the Sagnac effect, are top sensitivity instrumentation to measure angular velocity with respect to the fixed stars. GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) project foresees the construction of an array of three large dimension ring laser gyroscopes, rigidly connected to the Earth. GINGER has the potentiality to measure general relativity effects and Lorentz Violation in the gravity sector, once a sensitivity of $10^{-9}$, or better, of the Earth rotation rate is obtained. Being attached to the Earth crust, the array will also provide useful data for geophysical investigation. For this purpose, it is at present under construction as part of the multi-components observatory called Underground Geophysics at Gran Sasso (UGSS). Sensitivity is the key point to determine the relevance of this instrument for fundamental science. The most recent progress in the sensitivity measurement, obtained on a ring laser prototype called GINGERINO, indicates that GINGER should reach the level of 1 part in $10^{11}$ of the Earth rotation rate.