Test of the gravitational interaction between milligram masses using a miniature torsion pendulum
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Updated: Nov 6, 2026

Optimization, Test and Diagnostics of Miniaturized Hall Thrusters
Published on: February 16, 2019
Zheng-Jie An1, Wen-Hai Tan1, Wen-Can Dong2
1MOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai, China.
Abstract:
Precision tabletop measurements of gravitational force are important for probing the fundamental nature of gravitation. Although gravitational experiments have spanned test masses from macroscopic objects to individual quantum systems, the mutual gravitational interaction between small-particularly microscopic-masses remains largely unexplored. Recent advances have extended such studies into the sub-100 mg regime, however, probing gravitation at still smaller masses continues to pose significant challenges. Here, we report a measurement of gravitational interaction between two 7.6 mg silicon wafers using a miniature Cavendish-type torsion balance combined with a rotating mass-modulation technique. Over separation distances from 0.654 to 1.554 mm, the measured forces agree with Newtonian predictions, achieving a maximum uncertainty of 50 aN (2σ) and enabling constraints on Yukawa-type deviations from Newtonian gravitation. From these data, we determine the gravitational constant G = 6.67(35) × 10-11m3 kg-1 s-2 (1σ). This work measured the gravitational interaction between milligram-scale objects, representing a significant step toward bridging the classical and quantum regimes of gravitation.
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