Characterizing optical and electromagnetic signal-like backgrounds in measurements of gravity with optically levitated microspheres

Measurements of sub-mm gravitational attraction could provide valuable insight into gravity and its connection to quantum mechanics. These measurements are currently limited by a wide variety of backgrounds preventing measurement at the small force scales that characterize gravity. This thesis characterizes some of the major systematics of the force sensing experiment using optical traps developed by the Gratta group, with an aim towards proposed methods for mitigation that would allow the experiment to probe short-range gravity to further precision.