Towards an atom interferometric determination of the Newtonian gravitational constant

We report on progress towards an atom interferometric determination of the Newtonian gravitational constant. Free-failing laser-cooled atoms will probe the gravitational potential of nearby source masses. To reduce systematic errors, we will perform double differential measurements between two vertically separated atom clouds and with different source mass positions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.