The AEGIS detection system for gravity measurements

Abstract The main scientific goal of the AEGIS experiment ( A ntimatter E xperiment: G ravity, I nterferometry, S pectroscopy) is the direct measurement of the Earth's gravitational acceleration g on a beam of cold antihydrogen ( H ¯ ). The production of an antihydrogen beam is achieved by a charge exchange reaction between Rydberg positronium and cold antiprotons. The H ¯ beam will be accelerated up to a velocity of a few 100 m/s and the gravitational acceleration will be obtained by measuring the small vertical deflection of the beam (a few tens μ m) using a Moire' deflectometer.