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Newtonian gravity measurements impose constraints on unification theories

Nature volume 291, pages 636–638 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

Theories which attempt to unify gravity with the other forces of nature can be coarsely classified according to the mass scale of the new particles they introduce or equivalently the length scale at which new phenomena occur. This mass scale can be expressed as mp(mH/mp)n, where mH is a typical hadron mass and mp is the Planck mass. In most current theories n is 0 or 1. However, in some theories n = 2, which offers the possibility of experimental consequences at kilometre scales. Here using satellite and geophysical data we place constraints on such theories and find that they are not viable unless mH>103 GeV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Uriversity of Cambridge, Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9EW, UK

    G. W. Gibbons & B. F. Whiting

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  1. G. W. Gibbons
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  2. B. F. Whiting
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Gibbons, G., Whiting, B. Newtonian gravity measurements impose constraints on unification theories. Nature 291, 636–638 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/291636a0

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