Exploring the foundations of the physical universe with space tests of the equivalence principle
Baptiste Battelier, Joël Bergé, Andréa Bertoldi, Luc Blanchet, Kai Bongs, Philippe Bouyer, Claus Braxmaier, Davide Calonico, P. Fayet, Naceur Gaaloul, Christine Guerlin, Aurélien Hees, Philippe Jetzer, Cláus Lämmerzahl, Steve Lecomte, C. Le Poncin-Lafitte, Sina Loriani, Gilles Métris, M. Nofrarías, Ernst M. Rasel, Serge Reynaud, Manuel Rodrigues, Markus Rothacher, Albert Roura, Christophe Salomon, S. Schiller, Wolfgang P. Schleich, Christian Schubert, Carlos F. Sopuerta, F. Sorrentino, T. J. Sumner, G. M. Tino, Philip A. Tuckey, Wolf von Klitzing, Lisa Wörner, Peter Wolf, Martin Zelán
Abstract
Abstract We present the scientific motivation for future space tests of the equivalence principle, and in particular the universality of free fall, at the 10 − 17 level or better. Two possible mission scenarios, one based on quantum technologies, the other on electrostatic accelerometers, that could reach that goal are briefly discussed. This publication is a White Paper written in the context of the Voyage 2050 ESA Call for White Papers.