The Equivalence Principle: Meaning and Test
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  	      C.Laemmerzahl (Uni Konstanz)
	      H.Dittus      (Uni Bremen)


Abstract:
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A general overview about the meaning of the Equivalence Principle,  
especially the Einstein Equivalence Principle, is given: The Equivalence  
Principle is a tool to geometrize the gravitational interaction and to fix  
the equations of motion of the test matter. Then a fundamental theoretical  
frame is presented which is based on quantum theory which allows general  
violations of the Equivalence Principle. These violations can be confronted  
with experimental results. At the end of the theoretical part some quantum  
gravity induced violations of the Equivalence Principle are sketched.

In the experimental part free fall experiments for testing the universality  
of free fall, or the weak Equivalence Principle, are described. Thereby  
emphasis is laid on the experiments currently done at the Bremen Drop Tower.  
These experiments serve also as test bed for the Satellite Test of the  
Equivalence Principle (STEP) which is planned to increase the present-day  
accuracy for about 6 orders. The main component of these experiments is a  
SQUID-based position detector.