Humboldt State University

Faculty & Staff

C.D. Hoyle, Associate Professor

PI of the Gravitational Research Laboratory (SA 264)

Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Academic Background

• PhD (2001) University of Washington, Seattle
• MS (1997) University of Washington, Seattle
• BA (1996) University of Colorado, Boulder

Other Positions

• Affiliate Professor, University of Washington (2010 - present)
• Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Washington (2004 - 2006)
• Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Trento (2002 - 2004)

Summary of Research

Research focuses on experimental tests of gravity with laboratory and astronomical measurements. In the gravity lab we are designing world-leading tests of Einstein's theory of gravity, General Relativity. The experiments measure the subtle properties of gravity at nearly the micron distance scale and may shed light on the nature of Dark Energy, Dark Matter, and the fundamental nature of space and time. I also participate in the APOLLO lunar laser ranging collaboration, which tests gravity by mapping the moon's orbit shape at the millimeter level.

Sample Publications

• "Experimental Short-Range Gravitational Tests of the Weak Equivalence Principle and the Inverse-Square Law Using Novel Torsion Pendulums," David W. Shook and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), (2011)
• "Sub-millimeter Positioning and Sensing for Short-Range Gravity Tests," Bret A. Comnes and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), (2011)
• "Long-term degradation of optical devices on the Moon," T. W. Murphy, Jr., E. G. Adelberger, J. B. R. Battat, C. D. Hoyle, R. J. McMillan, E. L. Michelsen, R. Samad, C. W. Stubbs, and H. E. Swanson, Icarus, 208, 31-35 (2010)
• "Testing Gravity below the 50-micron Distance Scale," David W. Shook and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), (2010)
• "High-precision electrolytic capacitance tilt sensor", Holly Edmundson and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), (2009)
• "Precision optical system for short-range tests of gravity", Nathan F. Rasmussen and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), (2009)
• "The Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation: Instrument Description and First Detections," T.W. Murphy, Jr., E.G. Adelberger, J.B.R. Battat, L.N. Carey, C.D. Hoyle, P. LeBlanc, E. L. Michelsen, K. Nordtvedt, A.E. Orin, J.D. Strasburg, C.W. Stubbs, H.E. Swanson, and E. Williams, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 120, 20-37 (2008)
• "Extra-dimensions, dark energy, and the gravitational inverse-square law", Liam J. Furniss and C.D. Hoyle, Jr. (faculty Advisor), Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), 21-28, (2008)
• "Particle-physics implications of a recent test of the gravitational inverse-square law," E. G. Adelberger, B. R. Heckel, S. Hoedl, C. D. Hoyle, D. J. Kapner, and A. Upadhye, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 131104 (2007)
• "Tests of the Gravitational Inverse-Square Law below the Dark-Energy Length Scale," D.J. Kapner, T.S. Cook, E.G. Adelberger, J.H. Gundlach, B.R. Heckel, C.D. Hoyle, and H.E. Swanson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 021101 (2007)
• "Sub-millimeter tests of the gravitational inverse-square law," C.D. Hoyle, D.J. Kapner, B.R. Heckel, E.G. Adelberger, J.H. Gundlach, U. Schmidt, and H.E. Swanson, Phys. Rev. D 70, 042004 (2004)
• "Achieving Geodetic Motion for LISA Test Masses: Ground Testing Results," L. Carbone, A. Cavalleri, R. Dolesi, C.D. Hoyle, M. Hueller, S. Vitale, and W.J. Weber, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 151101 (2003)
• "Sub-millimeter test of the gravitational inverse-square law: A search for 'large' extra dimensions," C.D. Hoyle, U. Schmidt, B.R. Heckel, E.G. Adelberger, J.H. Gundlach, D.J. Kapner, and H.E. Swanson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 1418-1421 (2001)