Lorentz violation in neutron and allowed nuclear beta decay

• Main Authors: Noordmans, J. P, Wilschut, H. W, Timmermans, R. G. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 07-11-2013
• Subjects: Physics - High Energy Physics - Phenomenology; Physics - Nuclear Theory
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1302.2730

Phys. Rev. C 87, 055502 (2013) We explore the possibility that the weak interaction violates Lorentz, and in
particular rotational, invariance in neutron and allowed nuclear beta decay. A
broad class of Lorentz-violating effects is considered, in which the standard
propagator of the W-boson acquires an additional Lorentz-violating tensor. The
general decay rate for allowed beta decay that incorporates such a modified
propagator is derived. The resulting Lorentz-violating signals are discussed
for the different types of beta-decay transitions, Fermi, Gamow-Teller, and
mixed. We study the implications of our formalism for dedicated beta-decay
experiments. We give a short overview of the few relevant experiments that have
been performed or are ongoing.