Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2017) 132: 73
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2017-11372-5

Regular Article

Testing general relativity by means of ring lasers

Ring lasers and relativity

¹ Politecnico di Torino and ISMB, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
² INFN Pisa, Polo Fibonacci, Largo B. Pontecorvo, 3, 56127, Pisa, Italy
³ Physics Department, University of Pisa and INFN Pisa, Polo Fibonacci, Largo B. Pontecorvo, 3, 56127, Pisa, Italy
⁴ Politecnico di Torino and INFN, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy

^* e-mail: angelo.tartaglia@polito.it

Received: 28 December 2016
Accepted: 26 January 2017
Published online: 15 February 2017

Abstract

This paper discusses the optimal configuration of one or more ring lasers to be used for measuring the general relativistic effects of the rotation of the Earth, as manifested on the surface of the planet. The analysis is focused on devices having their normal vector lying in the meridian plane. The crucial role of the evaluation of the angles is evidenced. Special attention is paid to the orientation at the maximum signal, minimizing the sensitivity to the orientation uncertainty. The use of rings at different latitudes is mentioned and the problem of the non-sphericity of the Earth is commented.