On measuring gravitomagnetism via spaceborne clocks: a gravitomagnetic clock effect

Abstract

The difference in the proper azimuthal periods of revolution of two standard clocks in direct and retrograde orbits about a central rotating mass is proportional to J/M c 2 , where J and M are, respectively, the proper angular momentum and mass of the source. In connection with this gravitomagnetic clock effect, we explore the possibility of using spaceborne standard clocks for detecting the gravitomagnetic field of the Earth. It is shown that this approach to the measurement of the gravitomagnetic field is, in a certain sense, theoretically equivalent to the Gravity Probe -B concept.

Review: Hamiltonian Linearization of the Rest-Frame Instant Form of Tetrad Gravity in a Completely Fixed 3-Orthogonal Gauge: A Radiation Gauge for Background-Independent Gravitational Waves in a Post-Minkowskian Einstein Spacetime

“…This theory, in the post-Newtonian approximation, allows to make the gravito-electromagnetic (GEM) re-formulation of Einstein's theory (see Refs. [16,31]…”

“…[31], in the harmonic gauge the gravito-electro-magnetic 4-potential (Φ GEM , A GEM ) satisfies the Lorentz gauge condition…”

Gravitomagnetic Effect and Spin-Torsion Coupling

“…We first calculate the time registered by a standard clock that follows a geodesic in the Kerr geometry [1]. We choose a circular and equatorial orbit.…”

“…Mashhoon et al [1] considered point like clocks, without internal structure. Such clocks cannot couple with the space-time torsion.…”

“…In attempting to seek experimental confirmation of the gravitomagnetic effect suggested by Mashhoon et al [1], the called Gravity Probe C(lock) experiment was proposed [2]. The experimental confirmation is considered difficult due several perturbations of planetary origin that can hide the gravitomagnetic effect [3].…”