1. The GINGER project and status of the GINGERino prototype at LNGS
- Author
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A. Di Virgilio, Nicolo' Beverini, Giampiero Naletto, G. Carelli, Alberto Donazzan, Enrico Maccioni, Alessandro Beghi, D. Cuccato, Andrea Simonelli, R. Santagata, Filippo Bosi, Antonello Ortolan, and Jacopo Belfi
- Subjects
Physics ,History ,Inertial frame of reference ,RING-LASER ,Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors ,Geodetic datum ,Angular velocity ,Ring laser ,Gyroscope ,International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service ,Astrophysics ,Rotation ,Geodesy ,01 natural sciences ,Computer Science Applications ,Education ,law.invention ,010309 optics ,Physics and Astronomy (all) ,law ,0103 physical sciences ,010306 general physics ,Earth's rotation - Abstract
GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) is a proposal for measuring in a ground-based laboratory the Lense-Thirring effect, known also as inertial frame dragging, that is predicted by General Relativity, and is induced by the rotation of a massive source. GINGER will consist in an array of at least three square ring lasers, mutually orthogonal, with about 6-10 m side, and located in a deep underground site, possibly the INFN - National Laboratories of Gran Sasso. The tri-axial design will provide a complete estimation of the laboratory frame angular velocity, to be compared with the Earths rotation estimate provided by IERS with respect the fixed stars frame. Large-size ring lasers have already reached a very high sensitivity, allowing for relevant geodetic measurements. The accuracy required for Lense-Thirring effect measurement is higher than 10-14 rad/s and therefore Earth angular velocity must be measured within one part in 10-9. A 3.6 m side, square ring laser, called GINGERino, has been recently installed inside the Gran Sasso underground laboratories in order to qualify the site for a future installation of GINGER. We discuss the current status of the experimental work, and in particular of the GINGERino prototype.
- Published
- 2016