Search for Time Reversal Violating Effects: R-Correlation Measurement in Neutron Decay

• Published in: Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Vol. 110; no. 4; pp. 461 - 464
• Main Authors: Bodek, K, Ban, G, Beck, M, Bialek, A, Bryś, T, Czarnecki, A, Fetscher, W, Gorel, P, Kirch, K, Kistryn, St, Kozela, A, Kuźniak, M, Lindroth, A, Naviliat-Cuncic, O, Pulut, J, Serebrov, A, Severijns, N, Stephan, E, Zejma, J
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Standards and Technology 01-07-2005; Superintendent of Documents; [Gaithersburg, MD] : U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Subjects: Analysis; Beta decay; Beta rays; Correlation analysis; Electrons; Experiments; Measurement; Neutrons; Nuclear Experiment; Particle physics; Physics; Time; Time reversal; United States; neutron beta decay; time reversal violation
• ISSN: 1044-677X; 2165-7254
• DOI: 10.6028/jres.110.071

An experiment aiming at the simultaneous determination of both transversal polarization components of electrons emitted in the decay of free neutrons begins data taking using the polarized cold neutron beam (FUNSPIN) from the Swiss Neutron Spallation Source (SINQ) at the Paul-Scherrer Institute, Villigen. A non-zero value of R due to the e(-) polarization component, which is perpendicular to the plane spanned by the spin of the decaying neutron and the electron momentum, would signal a violation of time reversal symmetry and thus physics beyond the Standard Model. Present status of the project and the results from analysis of the first data sample will be discussed.