MG11 
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Precision Tests of Isotropy of Light Propagation

For nearly 120 years, the isotropy of the propagation velocity of electromagnetic waves has been the focus of experiments of ever increasing precision, helped by the application of improved technologies, in particular of lasers. In the past few years several studies have appeared that have used novel cavity implementations and precise rotation. These have verified the isotropy at a level better than 1 part in 10^15. A further improvement appears possible by careful reduction of various systematic influences, in particular mechanical deformations of the cavities. In this talk we review past experiments and describe a new apparatus currently being developed at the University of Düsseldorf.

Satellite Optical Clocks: Fundamental Tests and Applications

A future satellite mission flying clocks on a dedicated spacecraft on a highly eccentric orbit represents a powerful probe of the Principle of Local Position Invariance and of the gravitational frequency shift. Such a mission is the natural extension of the type of mission to be pioneered with the ACES mission on the ISS. Both atomic and molecular optical clocks are considered for such a mission. In this presentation we discuss some of the issues related to the implementation and of the application of satellite optical clocks for applications such as geodesy.