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We present the result of an experiment to measure the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron at the Paul Scherrer Institute using Ramsey’s method of separated oscillating magnetic fields with ultracold neutrons. Our measurement stands in the long history of EDM experiments probing physics violating time-reversal invariance. The salient features of this experiment were the use of a 199Hg comagnetometer and an array of optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometers to cancel and correct for magnetic-field changes. The statistical analysis was performed on blinded datasets by two separate groups, while the estimation of systematic effects profited from an unprecedented knowledge of the magnetic field. The measured value of the neutron EDM is dn=(0.0±1.1stat±0.2sys)×10−26 e.cm., Physical Review Letters, 124 (8), ISSN:0031-9007, ISSN:1079-7114

We report on a measurement of the $CP$-violating permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutral $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ atom. Our experimental approach is based on the detection of the free precession of co-located nuclear spin-polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ samples. The EDM measurement sensitivity benefits strongly from long spin coherence times of several hours achieved in diluted gases and homogeneous weak magnetic fields of about 400 nT. A finite EDM is indicated by a change in the precession frequency, as an electric field is periodically reversed with respect to the magnetic guiding field. Our result $(\ensuremath{-}4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6.4)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}28}e\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{cm}$, is consistent with zero and is used to place a new upper limit on the $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ EDM: $|{d}_{\text{Xe}}|l1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}27}e\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{cm}$ (95% C.L.). We also discuss the implications of this result for various $CP$-violating observables as they relate to theories of physics beyond the standard model.

We report on the first preliminary result of our 129Xe EDM measurement performed by the MIXed collaboration. The aim of this report is to demonstrate the feasibility of a new method to set limits on nuclear EDMs by investigating the EDM of the diamagnetic 129Xe atoms. In our setup, hyperpolarized 3He serves as a comagnetometer needed to suppress magnetic field fluctuations. The free induction decay of the two polarized spin species is directly measured by low noise DC SQUIDs, and the weighted phase difference extracted from these measurements is used to determine a preliminary upper limit on the 129Xe EDM.

International audience; In recent years, NMR with hyperpolarized (HP) xenon inside functionalized host structures (e.g. cryptophanes) have become a potential candidate for the direct observation of metabolic processes (i.e. molecular imaging). A critical issue for real applications is the dissolution of the HP-gas in the liquid which contains the host. In this work, we present recent developments for an improved and controlled dissolution of HP-Xe in liquids using hollow fiber membranes and different compressor systems. The designed apparatus consists of a compressor and a membrane unit. The compressor provides HP-129 Xe continuously at small adjustable pressures and in a polarization-preserving way. The membrane unit enables a molecular solution of the HP-gas in aqueous liquids, avoiding the formation of bubbles or even foams. Two different types of compressors were tested in terms of function and useful materials. Special emphasis was put on a systematic reduction of transfer losses in the gas and liquid phase. In order to optimize the system parameters, several physical models were developed to describe the transport and the losses of nuclear polarization. Finally, the successful implementation was demonstrated in several experiments. HP-Xe was dissolved in an aqueous cryptophane-A-(OCH 2 COOH) 6 solution, and stable Xe signals could be measured over 35 min, only limited by the size of the gas reservoir. Such long and stable Version 6 21.10.2019 BN experimental conditions enabled the study of chemical exchange of xenon between cryptophane and water environments even for a time-consuming 2D NMR-experiment. The good signal stability over the measurement time allowed an exact determination of the residence time of the Xe-atom inside the cryptophane, resulting in an average residence time of 42.9 ± 3.3 ms.

International audience; We describe a method, referred to as PAMP (polarization of atoms in a magnetized plasma), that allowshyperpolarization of 3He nuclear spins at high magnetic field solely by excitation of a rf gas discharge.A magnetized plasma is obtained when the mean free path of the free electrons is much larger than theirgyration radius in the rf gas discharge. Investigations of PAMP are carried out in the 1–15-mbar pressure rangewith rf excitation around 100 MHz. Quantitative NMR measurements at 4.7 T and room temperature showthat, for different cell sizes and gas densities, 3He nuclear polarizations in the 1 to 9% range are achieved(i.e., larger than the Boltzmann equilibrium spin polarization of the free electrons). A description involvingalignment-to-orientation conversion in the excited 23P state is proposed. The PAMP method appears as a veryattractive alternative to established laser polarization techniques (spin exchange or metastability exchange opticalpumping). Application to 3He nuclear magnetometry with a relative precision of 10^(−12) is demonstrated.

International audience; We report on a laser based $^{199}$Hg co-magnetometer deployed in an experiment searching for a permanent electric dipole moment of the neutron. We demonstrate a more than five times increased signal to-noise-ratio in a direct comparison measurement with its $^{204}$Hg discharge bulb-based predecessor. An improved data model for the extraction of important system parameters such as the degrees of absorption and polarization is derived. Laser- and lamp-based data-sets can be consistently described by the improved model which permits to compare measurements using the two different light sources and to explain the increase in magnetometer performance. The laser-based magnetometer satisfies the magnetic field sensitivity requirements for the next generation nEDM experiments.

A permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) implies breakdown of P (parity) and T (time reversal) symmetries. Provided CPT holds, this implies CP violation. Observation of an EDM at achievable experimental sensitivity would provide unambiguous evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model and limits towards matter-antimatter asymmetry. Our experiment uses differential spin precession of 3He and 129Xe, co-occupying the same volume, to measure the EDM of xenon. We have reached in a first test already sensitivity in the range 10-28 ecm. I will present the current status of the experiment and challenges like long term (weeks) tight control over magnetic and electric fields.

Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are key for precision studies of fundamental parameters of the neutron and in searches for new CP violating processes or exotic interactions beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The most prominent example is the search for a permanent electric dipole moment of the neutron (nEDM). We have performed an experimental comparison of the leading UCN sources currently operating. We have used a 'standard' UCN storage bottle with a volume of 32 liters, comparable in size to nEDM experiments, which allows us to compare the UCN density available at a given beam port., 20 pages, 30 Figures

The neutron gyromagnetic ratio has been measured relative to that of the 199Hg atom with an uncertainty of 0.8 ppm. We employed an apparatus where ultracold neutrons and mercury atoms are stored in the same volume and report the result γn/γHg=3.8424574(30)., Physics Letters B, 739, ISSN:0370-2693, ISSN:0031-9163, ISSN:1873-2445

We performed a search for a Lorentz-invariance- and CPT-violating coupling of the $^3$He and $^{129}$Xe nuclear spins to posited background fields. Our experimental approach is to measure the free precession of nuclear spin polarized $^3$He and $^{129}$Xe atoms using SQUID detectors. As the laboratory reference frame rotates with respect to distant stars, we look for a sidereal modulation of the Larmor frequencies of the co-located spin samples. As a result we obtain an upper limit on the equatorial component of the background field $\tilde{b}^n_{\bot}< 8.4 \cdot 10^{-34}$ GeV (68\% C.L.). Furthermore, this technique was modified to search for an electric dipole moment (EDM) of $^{129}$Xe., Presented at the Seventh Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 20-24, 2016

Recently the spin–lattice relaxation time T 1 of hyperpolarized (HP)- 129 Xe was significantly improved by using uncoated and Rb-free storage vessels of GE180 glass. For these cells, a simple procedure was established to obtain reproducible wall relaxation times of about 18 h. Then the limiting relaxation mechanism in pure Xe is due to the coupling between the nuclear spins and the angular momentum of the Xe–Xe van-der-Waals-molecules. This mechanism can be significantly reduced by using different buffer gases of which CO 2 was discovered to be the most efficient so far. From these values, it was estimated that for a 1:1 mixture of HP-Xe with CO 2 a longitudinal relaxation time of about 7 h can be expected, sufficient to transport HP-Xe from a production to a remote application site. This prediction was verified for such a mixture at a total pressure of about 1 bar in a 10 cm glass cell showing a storage time of T 1 ≈ 9 h (for T 1 wall = ( 34 ± 9 ) h) which was transported inside a magnetic box over a distance of about 200 km by car.

We report on the design and performance of a highly sensitive combined $^3$He/Cs magnetometer for the absolute measurement of magnetic fields. The magnetometer relies on the magnetometric detection of the free spin precession of nuclear spin polarized $^3$He gas by optically pumped cesium magnetometers. We plan to deploy this type of combined magnetometer in an experiment searching for a permanent electric dipole moment of ultracold neutrons at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). A prototype magnetometer was built at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and tested at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (Berlin, Germany). We demonstrate that the combined magnetometer allows Cram\'er-Rao- limited field determinations with recording times in the range of $\sim 500\mathrm{s}$, measurements above $500\mathrm{s}$ being limited by the stability of the applied magnetic field. % With a $100\mathrm{s}$ recording time we were able to perform an absolute measurement of a magnetic field of $\approx1\mathrm{\mu T}$ with a standard uncertainty of $\Delta B\sim60\mathrm{fT}$, corresponding to $\Delta B/B, Comment: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2015-60018-7

We compare the expected effects of so-called gravitationally enhanced depolarization of ultracold neutrons to measurements carried out in a spin-precession chamber exposed to a variety of vertical magnetic-field gradients. In particular, we have investigated the dependence upon these field gradients of spin depolarization rates and also of shifts in the measured neutron Larmor precession frequency. We find excellent qualitative agreement, with gravitationally enhanced depolarization accounting for several previously unexplained features in the data., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Updated: section added about implications for current nEDM limit

Asymmetries in quasi-elastic 3 He ( e → , e ′ p ) have been measured at a momentum transfer of 0.67 (GeV/ c ) 2 and are compared to a calculation which takes into account relativistic kinematics in the final state and a relativistic one-body current operator. With an exact solution of the Faddeev equation for the 3 He -ground state and an approximate treatment of final state interactions in the continuum good agreement is found with the experimental data.

Many experiments in nuclear and neutron physics are confronted with the problem that they use a superconducting magnetic spectrometer which potentially affects other experiments by their stray magnetic field. The retardation spectrometer a SPECT consists, inter alia, of a superconducting magnet system that produces a strong longitudinal magnetic field of up to 6.2 T. In order not to disturb other experiments in the vicinity of a SPECT, we had to develop a magnetic field return yoke for the magnet system. While the return yoke must reduce the stray magnetic field, the internal magnetic field and its homogeneity should not be affected. As in many cases, the magnetic shielding for a SPECT must manage with limited space. In addition, we must ensure that the additional magnetic forces on the magnet coils are not destructive. In order to determine the most suitable geometry for the magnetic shielding for a SPECT, we simulated a variety of possible geometries and combinations of shielding materials of non-linear permeability. The results of our simulations were checked through magnetic field measurements both with Hall and nuclear magnetic resonance probes. The experimental data are in good agreement with the simulated values: the mean deviation from the simulated exterior magnetic field is (−1.7±4.8)%. However, in the two critical regions, the internal magnetic field deviates by 0.2% (decay volume) and 1 × 10 − 4 (analyzing plane) from the simulated values.

The helicity dependences of the differential cross sections for the semi-inclusive γ 3He → π0 X and γ 3He → π± X reactions have been measured for the first time in the energy region 200 < E γ 450 MeV. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon beam facility of the MAMI accelerator in Mainz using a longitudinally polarised high-pressure 3He gas target. Hadronic products were measured with the large-acceptance Crystal Ball detector complemented with additional devices for charged-particle tracking and identification. Unpolarised differential cross sections and their helicity dependence are compared with theoretical calculations using the Fix-Arenhovel model. The effect of the intermediate excitation of the Δ(1232) resonance can be clearly seen from this comparison, especially for the polarised case, where nuclear effects are relatively small. The model provides a better theoretical description of the unpolarised charged pion photoproduction data than the neutral pion channel. It does significantly better in describing the helicity-dependent data in both channels. These comparisons provide new information on the mechanisms involved in pion photoproduction on 3He and suggest that a polarised 3He target can provide valuable information on the corresponding polarised quasi-free neutron reactions.

Physics at the Planck scale could be revealed by looking for tiny violations of fundamental symmetries in low energy experiments. In 2008, a sensitive test of the isotropy of the Universe using has been performed with stored ultracold neutrons (UCN), this is the first clock-comparison experiment performed with free neutrons. During several days we monitored the Larmor frequency of neutron spins in a weak magnetic field using the Ramsey resonance technique. An non-zero cosmic axial field, violating rotational symmetry, would induce a daily variation of the precession frequency. Our null result constitutes one of the most stringent tests of Lorentz invariance to date., proceedings of the PNCMI2010 conference

A polarized 3 He target has been installed for the first time inside the 4 π Crystal Ball detector at the tagged photon beam of the MAinz MIcrotron (MAMI). It has been demonstrated that the system works reliably and that the polarization losses during handling of the polarized gas are under control. Initial polarization values up to 70% and total relaxation times up to 20 h could be obtained during a first test beam time devoted to the measurement of the double polarized photoabsorption cross-section in the Δ ( 1232 ) baryon resonance region.

To test Lorentz symmetry we used a 3He/129Xe co-magnetometer. We will give a short summary of our experimental setup and the results of our latest measurements. We obtained preliminary results for the equatorial component of the background field interacting with the spin of the bound neutron: b_n < 3.72 x 10^(-32) GeV (95 C.L.)., Presented at the Fifth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 28 - July 2, 2010

At the ultracold neutron (UCN) source of the TRIGA research reactor in Mainz, we have measured for the first time the material optical wall-potential of cubic boron nitride. The measurements were performed with a time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer. The samples investigated had a wall-potential of ( 305 ± 15 ) neV . This value is in good agreement with the result extracted from neutron reflectometry data and theoretical expectations. Because of its high critical velocity for UCN and its good dielectric characteristics, cubic boron nitride coatings (isotopically enriched) will be useful for a number of applications in UCN experiments.

A clock comparison experiment, analyzing the ratio of spin precession frequencies of stored ultracold neutrons and $^{199}$Hg atoms is reported. %57 No daily variation of this ratio could be found, from which is set an upper limit on the Lorentz invariance violating cosmic anisotropy field $b_{\bot} < 2 \times 10^{-20} {\rm eV}$ (95% C.L.). This is the first limit for the free neutron. This result is also interpreted as a direct limit on the gravitational dipole moment of the neutron $|g_n| < 0.3 $eV/$c^2$ m from a spin-dependent interaction with the Sun. Analyzing the gravitational interaction with the Earth, based on previous data, yields a more stringent limit $|g_n| < 3 \times 10^{-4} $eV/$c^2 $m., 4 pages, 3 figures accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett

International audience; The existence of a mirror world holding a copy of our ordinary particle spectrum could lead to oscillations between the neutron (n) and its mirror partner (n′). Such oscillations could manifest themselves in storage experiments with ultracold neutrons whose storage lifetime would depend on the applied magnetic field. Here, extended details and measurements from the first dedicated experimental search for nn′ oscillations published in [G. Ban, K. Bodek, M. Daum, R. Henneck, S. Heule, M. Kasprzak, N. Khomutov, K. Kirch, S. Kistryn, A. Knecht, P. Knowles, M. Kuźniak, T. Lefort, A. Mtchedlishvili, O. Naviliat-Cuncic, C. Plonka, G. Quéméner, M. Rebetez, D. Rebreyend, S. Roccia, G. Rogel, M. Tur, A. Weis, J. Zejma, G. Zsigmond, Direct experimental limit on neutron mirror–neutron oscillations, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99 (2007) 161603] will be presented, focussing on a possible dependence of the UCN counts on the magnetic field and its direction. However, at present no significant change in the averaged UCN counts with respect to the applied magnetic field has been found.

The electron-target-asymmetries A_parallel and A_perpendicular with target spin parallel and perpendicular to the momentum transfer q were measured for both the two-- and three-body breakup of 3He in the 3He(e,e'p)-reaction. Polarized electrons were scattered off polarized 3He in the quasielastic regime in parallel kinematics with the scattered electron and the knocked-out proton detected using the Three-Spectrometer-Facility at MAMI. The results are compared to Faddeev calculations which take into account Final State Interactions as well as Meson Exchange Currents. The experiment confirms the prediction of a large effect of Final State Interactions in the asymmetry of the three-body breakup and of an almost negligible one for the two-body breakup.

Theories are developed to evaluate Larmor frequency shifts, derived from geometric phases, in experiments to measure electric dipole moments (EDM's) of trapped, atoms, molecules, and neutrons. A part of these shifts is proportional to the applied electric field and can be interpreted falsely as an electric dipole moment. A comparison is made between our theoretical predictions for these shifts and some results from our recent experiments, which shows agreement to within the experimental errors of 15%. The comparison also demonstrates that some trapped particle EDM experiments have reached a sensitivity where stringent precautions are needed to minimize and control such false EDM's. Computer simulations of these processes are also described. They give good agreement with the analytical results and they extend the study by investigating the influence of varying surface reflection laws in the hard-walled traps considered. They also explore the possibility to suppress such false EDM's by introducing collisions with buffer gas particles. Some analytic results for frequency shifts proportional to the square of the E field are also given and there are results for the averaging of the B field in the absence of an E field.

The source described is based on photoemission of electrons from 100-GaAs0.62P0.38 activated to negative electron affinity. It is built to inject a beam of polarized electrons into the 350 MeV linear accelerator in Mainz. It is capable of delivering a mean current of 28 μA spin-polarized longitudinally to a degree of 0.44. The lifetime of the cathode under operational conditions is better than 200 h. The source was successfully run in a parity experiment, in which the analysing power of quasielastic scattering from beryllium for longitudinally polarized electrons was measured.