Achim+Peters

This talk will present a modern version of the classic Michelson-Morley experiment testing the isotropy of light propagation and thus the foundations of Special elativity. From a modern perspective, this measurement is one out of a more general class of experiments investigating the validity of Lorentz-Invariance in the light of new theoretical approaches – such as string theory or loop quantum gravity – suggesting small violations. The experiment itself is performed by monitoring the resonance frequency of an optical resonator continuously rotating on a precision turntable, making it possible to achieve a sensitivity at the Δcθ/c ≈ 10-16 level for a direction dependent variation of the speed of light. We also present initial results of our latest experimental setup employing new resonators in conjunction with active vibration isolation, and discuss the potential for improvements in sensitivity by up to three orders of magnitude.
 * A modern Michelson-Morley experiment using ultra-stable optical resonators **
 * Achim Peters, Sven Herrmann, Alexander Senger, Katharina Moehle; **
 * Humboldt-University Berlin **