Measuring the Newtonian constant of gravitation with a differential free-fall gradiometer: a feasibility study.

An original setup is presented to measure the Newtonian Constant of Gravitation G. It is based on the same principle as used in ballistic absolute gravimeters. The differential acceleration of three simultaneously freely falling test masses is measured in order to determine G. In this paper, a description of the experimental setup is presented. A detailed uncertainty budget estimates the relative uncertainty to be of the order of 5.3 × 10(-4), however with some improvements a relative uncertainty in G of one part in 10(4) could be feasible.