Project of Neutron Beta-Decay A-Asymmetry Measurement With Relative Accuracy of (1-2)×10(-3)

J Res Natl Inst Stand Technol. 2005 Aug 1;110(4):383-7. doi: 10.6028/jres.110.057. Print 2005 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

We are going to use a polarized cold neutron beam and an axial magnetic field in the shape of a bottle formed by a superconducting magnetic system. Such a configuration of magnetic fields allows us to extract the decay electrons inside a well-defined solid angle with high accuracy. An electrostatic cylinder with a potential of 25 kV defines the detected region of neutron decays. The protons, which come from this region will be accelerated and registered by a proton detector. The use of coincidences between electron and proton signals will allow us to considerably suppress the background. The final accuracy of the A-asymmetry will be determined by the uncertainty of the neutron beam polarization measurement which is at the level of (1-2) × 10(-3), as shown in previous studies.

Keywords: beta-decay; cold neutrons; polarization.