Search

We report on the technical design and expected performance of a 592 kg heavy-water-Cherenkov detector to measure the absolute neutrino flux from the pion-decay-at-rest neutrino source at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The detector will be located roughly 20 m from the SNS target and will measure the neutrino flux with better than 5% statistical uncertainty in 2 years. This heavy-water detector will serve as the first module of a two-module detector system to ultimately measure the neutrino flux to 2-3% at both the First Target Station and the planned Second Target Station of the SNS. This detector will significantly reduce a dominant systematic uncertainty for neutrino cross-section measurements at the SNS, increasing the sensitivity of searches for new physics., Comment: As accepted to JINST

We report the first precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the direction of proton momentum with respect to the neutron spin, in the reaction ^{3}He(n,p)^{3}H, using the capture of polarized cold neutrons in an unpolarized active ^{3}He target. The asymmetry is a result of the weak interaction between nucleons, which remains one of the least well-understood aspects of electroweak theory. The measurement provides an important benchmark for modern effective field theory and potential model calculations. Measurements like this are necessary to determine the spin-isospin structure of the hadronic weak interaction. Our asymmetry result is A_{PV}=[1.55±0.97(stat)±0.24(sys)]×10^{-8}, which has the smallest uncertainty of any hadronic parity-violating asymmetry measurement so far.

We report on the preparation of and calibration measurements with a $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr source for the CENNS-10 liquid argon detector. $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr atoms generated in the decay of a $^{83}$Rb source were introduced into the detector via injection into the Ar circulation loop. Scintillation light arising from the 9.4 keV and 32.1 keV conversion electrons in the decay of $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr in the detector volume were then observed. This calibration source allows the characterization of the low-energy response of the CENNS-10 detector and is applicable to other low-energy-threshold detectors. The energy resolution of the detector was measured to be 9$\%$ at the total $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr decay energy of 41.5 keV. We performed an analysis to separately calibrate the detector using the two conversion electrons at 9.4 keV and 32.1 keV, Comment: v2: As accepted to JINST

We describe a modular apparatus for use in parity-violation measurements in epithermal neutron-nucleus resonances with high instantaneous neutron fluxes at the Manuel Lujan Jr.\ Neutron Scattering Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This apparatus is designed to conduct high-precision measurements of the parity-odd transmission asymmetry of longitudinally polarized neutrons through targets containing nuclei with p-wave neutron-nucleus resonances in the 0.1-10 eV energy regime and to accommodate a future search for time reversal violation in polarized neutron transmission through polarized nuclear targets. The apparatus consists of an adjustable neutron and gamma collimation system, a \(^3\)He-$^{4}$He ion chamber neutron flux monitor, two identical cryostats for target cooling, an adiabatic eV-neutron spin flipper, a near-unit efficiency \(^6\)Li-\(^{7}\)Li scintillation detector operated in current mode, a flexible CAEN data acquisition system, and a neutron spin filter based on spin-exchange optical pumping of $^{3}$He gas. We describe the features of the apparatus design devoted to the suppression of systematic errors in parity-odd asymmetry measurements. We describe the configuration of the apparatus used to conduct a precision measurement of parity violation at the 0.7 eV p-wave resonance in $^{139}$La which employs two identical $^{139}$La targets, one to polarize the beam on the p-wave resonance using the weak interaction and one to analyze the polarization., Comment: 43 pages, 23 figures

Accurately measuring the neutron beam polarization of a high flux, large area neutron beam is necessary for many neutron physics experiments. The Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline (FnPB) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a pulsed neutron beam that was polarized with a supermirror polarizer for the NPDGamma experiment. The polarized neutron beam had a flux of $\sim10^9$ neutrons per second per cm$^2$ and a cross sectional area of 10$\times$12~cm$^2$. The polarization of this neutron beam and the efficiency of a RF neutron spin rotator installed downstream on this beam were measured by neutron transmission through a polarized $^{3}$He neutron spin-filter. The pulsed nature of the SNS enabled us to employ an absolute measurement technique for both quantities which does not depend on accurate knowledge of the phase space of the neutron beam or the $^{3}$He polarization in the spin filter and is therefore of interest for any experiments on slow neutron beams from pulsed neutron sources which require knowledge of the absolute value of the neutron polarization. The polarization and spin-reversal efficiency measured in this work were done for the NPDGamma experiment, which measures the parity violating $\gamma$-ray angular distribution asymmetry with respect to the neutron spin direction in the capture of polarized neutrons on protons. The experimental technique, results, systematic effects, and applications to neutron capture targets are discussed., Comment: 13 pages, 14 figures, 2 tables

Detecting neutrinos—elementary particles that barely interact with other matter—usually requires detectors of enormous size. A particular interaction of neutrinos with atomic nuclei, called the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS), is predicted to occur with relatively high probability, and it could be used to drastically reduce the size of neutrino detectors. However, observing this interaction requires a source of low-energy neutrinos and detectors that contain nuclei of optimal mass. Akimov et al. observed CEνNS with a 6.7σ confidence by using a comparatively tiny, 14.6-kg sodium-doped CsI scintillator exposed to neutrinos from a spallation neutron facility (see the Perspective by Link). The discovery places tighter bounds on exotic, beyond-the-standard-model interactions involving neutrinos. Science , this issue p. [1123][1]; see also p. [1098][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao0990 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao4050

A possibility of new type experimental searches for new physics beyond the standard model is being introduced in the symmetry tests in neutron-induced compound states according to the successful operation of intense pulsed neutron sources. The basis of experiment design is discussed.

We describe a detection system designed for precise measurements of angular correlations in neutron $\beta$ decay. The system is based on thick, large area, highly segmented silicon detectors developed in collaboration with Micron Semiconductor, Ltd. The prototype system meets specifications for $\beta$ electron detection with energy thresholds below 10 keV, energy resolution of $\sim$3 keV FWHM, and rise time of $\sim$50 ns with 19 of the 127 detector pixels instrumented. Using ultracold neutrons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, we have demonstrated the coincident detection of $\beta$ particles and recoil protons from neutron $\beta$ decay. The fully instrumented detection system will be implemented in the UCNB and Nab experiments, to determine the neutron $\beta$ decay parameters $B$, $a$, and $b$., Comment: Copyright 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

© 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab. A cryogenic apparatus is described that enables a new experiment, nEDM@SNS, with a major improvement in sensitivity compared to the existing limit in the search for a neutron Electric Dipole Moment (EDM). This apparatus uses superfluid 4He to produce a high density of Ultra-Cold Neutrons (UCN) which are contained in a suitably coated pair of measurement cells. The experiment, to be operated at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, uses polarized 3He from an Atomic Beam Source injected into the superfluid 4He and transported to the measurement cells where it serves as a co-magnetometer. The superfluid 4He is also used as an insulating medium allowing significantly higher electric fields, compared to previous experiments, to be maintained across the measurement cells. These features provide an ultimate statistical uncertainty for the EDM of 2-3× 10-28 e-cm, with anticipated systematic uncertainties below this level.

The “Nab” and “UCNB” collaborations have proposed to measure the correlation parameters in neutron β-decay at Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratory, using a novel detector design. Two large area, thick, hexagonal-segmented silicon detectors containing 127 pixels per detector will be used to detect the proton and electron from neutron decay. Both silicon detectors are connected by magnetic field lines of a few Tesla field strength, and set on an electrostatic potential, such that protons can be accelerated up to 30 keV in order to be detected. Characteristics of the detector response to low energy conversion electrons and protons from 15 keV to 35 keV, including the evaluation of the dead layer thickness and other contributions to the pulse height defect for proton detection are presented for Si detectors of 0.5 mm and 1 mm of thickness.

The NPDGamma collaboration is performing a measurement of the very small parity-violating asymmetry in the angular distribution of the 2.2 MeV γ - rays from the capture of polarized cold neutrons on protons ( A γ ) . The estimated size of A γ is 5 × 10 − 8 , and the measured asymmetry is proportional to the neutron polarization upon capture. Since the interaction of polarized neutrons with one of the two hydrogen molecular states (orthohydrogen) can lead to neutron spin-flip scattering, it is essential that the hydrogen in the target is mostly in the molecular state that will not depolarize the neutrons ( ≥ 99.8 % parahydrogen). For that purpose, in the first stage of the NPDGamma experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), we operated a 16-l liquid hydrogen target, which was filled in two different occasions. The parahydrogen fraction in the target was accurately determined in situ by relative neutron transmission measurements. The result of these measurements indicate that the fraction of parahydrogen in equilibrium was 0.9998 ± 0.0002 in the first data taking run and 0.9956 ± 0.0002 in the second. We describe the parahydrogen monitor system, relevant aspects of the hydrogen target, and the procedure to determine the fraction of parahydrogen in the target. Also assuming thermal equilibrium of the target, we extract the scattering cross-section for neutrons on parahydrogen.

Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment experimental sensitivity, both in terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement the scheme of Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. The unique properties of combining polarized ultracold neutrons, polarized $^3$He, and superfluid $^4$He will be exploited to provide a sensitivity to $\sim 10^{-28}\,e{\rm \,\cdot\, cm}$. Our cryogenic apparatus will deploy two small ($3\,{\rm L}$) measurement cells with a high density of ultracold neutrons produced and spin analyzed in situ. The electric field strength, precession time, magnetic shielding, and detected UCN number will all be enhanced compared to previous room temperature Ramsey measurements. Our $^3$He co-magnetometer offers unique control of systematic effects, in particular the Bloch-Siegert induced false EDM. Furthermore, there will be two distinct measurement modes: free precession and dressed spin. This will provide an important self-check of our results. Following five years of "critical component demonstration," our collaboration transitioned to a "large scale integration" phase in 2018. An overview of our measurement techniques, experimental design, and brief updates are described in these proceedings., Submitted to proceedings of PPNS 2018 - International Workshop on Particle physics at Neutron Sources (https://www.webofconferences.org/epj-web-of-conferences-forthcoming-conferences/1148-ppns-2018)

Neutron beta decay is one of the most fundamental processes in nuclear physics and provides sensitive means to uncover the details of the weak interaction. Neutron beta decay can evaluate the ratio of axial-vector to vector coupling constants in the standard model, $\lambda = g_A / g_V$, through multiple decay correlations. The Nab experiment will carry out measurements of the electron-neutrino correlation parameter $a$ with a precision of $\delta a / a = 10^{-3}$ and the Fierz interference term $b$ to $\delta b = 3\times10^{-3}$ in unpolarized free neutron beta decay. These results, along with a more precise measurement of the neutron lifetime, aim to deliver an independent determination of the ratio $\lambda$ with a precision of $\delta \lambda / \lambda = 0.03\%$ that will allow an evaluation of $V_{ud}$ and sensitively test CKM unitarity, independent of nuclear models. Nab utilizes a novel, long asymmetric spectrometer that guides the decay electron and proton to two large area silicon detectors in order to precisely determine the electron energy and an estimation of the proton momentum from the proton time of flight. The Nab spectrometer is being commissioned at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Lab. We present an overview of the Nab experiment and recent updates on the spectrometer, analysis, and systematic effects., Comment: Presented at PPNS2018

The Nab experiment will measure the correlation a between the momenta of the beta particle and antineutrino in neutron decay as well as the Fierz term b which distorts the beta spectrum.

The UCN experiment is designed to measure the lifetime n of the free neutron by trapping ultracold neutrons (UCN) in a magneto-gravitational trap. An asymmetric bowl-shaped NdFeB magnet Halbach array confines low-field-seeking UCN within the apparatus, and a set of electromagnetic coils in a toroidal geometry provides a background holding field to eliminate depolarization-induced UCN loss caused by magnetic field nodes. We present a measurement of the storage time store of the trap by storing UCN for various times and counting the survivors. The data are consistent with a single exponential decay, and we find store = 860 19 s, within 1 of current global averages for n. The storage time with the holding field deactivated is found to be store = 470 160 s; this decreased storage time is due to the loss of UCN, which undergo Majorana spin flips while being stored. We discuss plans to increase the statistical sensitivity of the measurement and investigate potential systematic effects.

A number of inconsistant neutron lifetime measurements have been reported. The disagreement among the various measurements made with material neutron traps with ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) suggests unaccounted for systematic errors in these measurements. One potential source of error is due to the long emptying times which may be time dependent due to the UCN phase space evolution in the trap. We present a way to reduce this effect.

Performance of a neutron trap for cleaning quasi-trapped neutrons depends on what fraction of the neutron orbits are chaotic. In this paper we argue that the Lyapunov characteristic exponent is a good measure the chaos because regular orbits have Lyapunov exponent zero and chaotic orbits of a given energy have a common non-zero Lyapunov exponent. The Lyapunov exponent describes the rate of exponential divergence for infinitesimally perturbed initial conditions [1,2]. We show how to calculate the fraction of chaotic trajectories using Benettin's algorithm [1]. We evaluate the fraction of non-chaotic orbits for a trap that consists of a vertical multipole, gravity, and a current loop at the bottom of the trap.

Parity nonconservation (PNC) was studied in {ital p}-wave resonances in Ag by measuring the helicity dependence of the neutron total cross section. Transmission measurements on natural Ag were performed in the energy range 32 to 422 eV with the time-of-flight method at the Manuel Lujan Neutron Scattering Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A total of 15 {ital p}-wave neutron resonances were studied in {sup 107}Ag and nine {ital p}-wave resonances in {sup 109}Ag. Statistically significant asymmetries were observed for eight resonances in {sup 107}Ag and for four resonances in {sup 109}Ag. An analysis treating the PNC matrix elements as random variables yields a weak spreading width of {Gamma}{sub w}=(2.67{sub {minus}1.21}{sup +2.65}){times}10{sup {minus}7} eV for {sup 107}Ag and {Gamma}{sub w}=(1.30{sub {minus}0.74}{sup +2.49}){times}10{sup {minus}7} eV for {sup 109}Ag. thinsp {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}

Precision measurements in free neutron beta decay serve to determine the coupling constants of beta decay, and offer several stringent tests of the Standard Model. This paper describes the free neutron beta decay program planned for the Fundamental Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and puts it into the context of other recent and planned measurements of neutron beta decay observables.

Precision measurements in neutron beta decay serve to determine the coupling constants of beta decay and allow for several stringent tests of the standard model. This paper discusses the design and the expected performance of the Nab spectrometer., Submitted to Proceedings of the Conference CIPANP12, St.Petersburg, Florida, May 2012

The NPDGamma collaboration reports results from the first phase of a measurement of the parity violating up-down asymmetry ${A}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ with respect to the neutron spin direction of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays emitted in the reaction $\mathrm{nP\vec}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+\ensuremath{\gamma}$ using the capture of polarized cold neutrons on the protons in a liquid parahydrogen target. One expects parity-odd effects in the hadronic weak interaction between nucleons to be induced by the weak interaction between quarks. ${A}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ in $\mathrm{nP\vec}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is dominated by a $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=1$, ${}^{3}{S}_{1}$-${}^{3}{P}_{1}$ parity-odd transition amplitude in the n-p system. The first phase of the measurement was completed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center spallation source (LANSCE), with the result ${A}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}=[\ensuremath{-}1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.1 (\mathrm{stat}.)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 (\mathrm{sys}.)]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$. We also report the first measurement of an upper limit for the parity-allowed left-right asymmetry in this reaction, with the result ${A}_{\ensuremath{\gamma},\mathrm{LR}}=[\ensuremath{-}1.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.9 (\mathrm{stat}.)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 (\mathrm{sys}.)]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$. In this paper we give a detailed report on the theoretical background, experimental setup, measurements, extraction of parity-odd and parity-allowed asymmetries, analysis of potential systematic effects, and LANSCE results. The asymmetry has an estimated size of $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ and the aim of the NPDGamma collaboration is to measure it to $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$. The second phase of the measurement will be performed at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The neutron total cross section for natural indium was measured for ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{n}}$=25--500 eV with the time-of-flight method at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center. The neutron capture reaction was studied on a highly enriched sample (99.99%) of $^{115}\mathrm{In}$. A total of 47 previously unreported resonances were observed. The combination of the two measurements allowed assignment of the new resonances to $^{113}\mathrm{In}$ or $^{115}\mathrm{In}$. Resonance parameters were extracted for all of the neutron resonances observed.

The parity-nonconserving longitudinal asymmetry [ital P] has been measured in nonresonant regions in [sup 232]Th for neutron energies in the range 6--86 eV. The measured value of [ital P][sub nonres]=(9.8[plus minus]21.7)[times]10[sup [minus]6] is consistent with statistical descriptions of parity violation.

The depolarization of epithermal neutrons in a thick single crystal of ferromagnetic holmium has been measured and analyzed with a model of neutron precession through a highly correlated array of magnetic domains. The large parity violation in the 0.734-eV p-wave resonance in $^{139}\mathrm{La}$ was used to analyze the neutron polarization, and represents an application of parity violation in nuclear resonances to a measurement in condensed-matter physics.

The parity nonconserving longitudinal analyzing power [ital P] was measured for the [ital E][sub [ital n]]=0.88 eV neutron resonance in [sup 81]Br. The value of [ital P]=+1.77[plus minus]0.33 %; the sign is determined relative to the 0.73-eV resonance in [sup 139]La.

Parity nonconservation (PNC) was studied for 16 p-wave resonances in $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ by measuring the helicity dependence of the total cross section for epithermal neutrons scattered from $^{238}\mathrm{U}$. A statistical analysis yields a root-mean-square PNC matrix element M=0.${56}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}0.20}^{+0.41}$ meV, which corresponds to a spreading width of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}^{\mathrm{PV}}$=0.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}7}$ eV. Under plausible assumptions this gives a value of 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}7}$ for \ensuremath{\Vert}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{p}}$\ensuremath{\Vert}, the ratio of strengths of the P-odd and P-even effective nucleon-nucleon interactions.

Parity nonconservation was studied for seventeen states in {sup 239}U by measuring the helicity dependence of the total cross section for epithermal neutrons scattered from {sup 238}U. The root-mean-squared parity-violating matrix element for the mixing of {ital p}-wave and {ital s}-wave states was determined to be {ital M}=0.58{sub {minus}0.25}{sup +0.50} meV. This corresponds to a parity-violating spreading width of {Gamma}{sup PV}=1.0{times}10{sup {minus}7} eV. Under plausible assumptions this gives a value of 4{times}10{sup {minus}7} for {vert bar}{alpha}{sub {ital P}}{vert bar}, the ratio of strengths of the {ital P}-odd and {ital P}-even effective nucleon-nucleon interactions.

Parity nonconservation has been studied in the transmission of longitudinally polarized epithermal neutrons incident upon a {sup 139}La target. Previous experiments have demonstrated the existence of a large value of the longitudinal asymmetry in the 0.734-eV {ital p}-wave resonance of the compound nucleus {sup 140}La, but report conflicting values for the measured asymmetry. We report the results of an experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center (LANSCE) which measured the asymmetry by two independent methods. One of these methods utilizes a conventional polarizer and a single lanthanum target. The other method uses an unpolarized beam with two lanthanum targets, and therefore does not require a separate measurement of the beam polarization. The asymmetry values determined from these two methods (0.1015{plus minus}0.0045 and 0.0955{plus minus}0.0035, respectively) are compared to previously measured values. Measurement of the asymmetry of the 0.734-eV resonance in {sup 139}La provides a highly accurate method of determining the polarization of an epithermal neutron beam.

Parity-nonconserving longitudinal analyzing powers were measured for 23 {ital p}-wave neutron resonances in {sup 232}Th. Seven resonances show effects of greater than 2{sigma} statistical significance (95% confidence)---the largest sample yet measured in a single nucleus. All seven analyzing powers have positive sign. Strong sign correlations are not a feature of the conventional statistical model of parity mixing between compound nuclear states. The results suggest that the mechanism of parity violation in resonance reactions is more complicated than previously assumed.

The Nab collaboration will perform a precise measurement of 'a', the electron-neutrino correlation parameter, and 'b', the Fierz interference term in neutron beta decay, in the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the SNS, using a novel electric/magnetic field spectrometer and detector design. The experiment is aiming at the 10^{-3} accuracy level in (Delta a)/a, and will provide an independent measurement of lambda = G_A/G_V, the ratio of axial-vector to vector coupling constants of the nucleon. Nab also plans to perform the first ever measurement of 'b' in neutron decay, which will provide an independent limit on the tensor weak coupling., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, talk presented at the International Workshop on Particle Physics with Slow Neutrons, Grenoble, 29-31 May 2008; to appear in Nucl. Instrum. Meth. in Physics Research A

Hadronic parity violation uses quark-quark weak interactions to probe nonperturbative strong interaction dynamics through two nonperturbative QCD scales: [Formula: see text] and the fine-tuned MeV scales of NN bound states in low energy nuclear physics. The current and projected availability of high-intensity neutron and photon sources coupled with ongoing experiments and continuing developments in theoretical methods provide the opportunity to greatly expand our understanding of hadronic parity violation in few-nucleon systems. The current status of these efforts and future plans are discussed.

We have measured neutron resonances in the palladium isotopes 104, 105, and 110 for neutron energies from 1 to 2100 eV. Many new p-wave resonances have been observed. Their neutron widths and, in several cases, the radiative widths were measured. The average level spacings and the s-wave and p-wave neutron strength functions were determined. The time-of-flight method was used for both neutron total cross section measurements and total $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction yield measurements at the pulsed spallation neutron source of Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Well established resonance spectroscopy for these isotopes is essential for the analysis of parity violation data that were recently measured in palladium.

The parity nonconserving spin rotation of neutrons in the 0.734-eV p-wave resonance of $^{139}La$ was measured with the neutron transmission method. Two optically polarized $^3He$ cells were used before and behind a a 5-cm long $^{139}La$ target as a polarizer and an analyzer of neutron spin. The rotation angle was carefully measured by flipping the direction of $^3He$ polarization in the polarizer in sequence. The peak-to-peak value of the spin rotation was found to be $ (7.4 \pm 1.1) \times 10^{-3} $ rad/cm which was consistent with the previous experiments. But the result was statisticallly improved. The s-p mixing model gives the weak matrix element as $xW = (1.71 \pm 0.25)$ meV. The value agrees well with the one deduced from the parity-nonconserving longitudinal asymmetry in the same resonance.

The analysis of parity nonconservation (PNC) measurements performed on {sup 232}Th by the TRIPLE Collaboration has been extended to include the neutron energy range of 250 to 1900 eV. Below 250 eV all ten statistically significant parity violations have the same sign. However, at higher energies PNC effects of both signs were observed in the transmission of longitudinally polarized neutrons through a thick thorium target. Although the limited experimental energy resolution precluded analysis in terms of the longitudinal asymmetry, parity violations were observed and the cross section differences for positive and negative neutron helicities were obtained. For comparison, a similar analysis was performed on the data below 250 eV, for which longitudinal asymmetries were obtained previously. For energies below 250 eV, the p-wave neutron strength functions for the J=1/2 and J=3/2 states were extracted: S{sub 1/2}{sup 1}=(1.68{+-}0.61)x10{sup -4} and S{sub 3/2}{sup 1}=(0.75{+-}0.18)x10{sup -4}. The data provide constraints on the properties of local doorway states proposed to explain the PNC sign effect in thorium. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

Parity nonconservation was studied for 23 p-wave resonances in 113Cd up to En = 500 eV at the LANSCE pulsed neutron source using a longitudinally polarized neutron beam and the time-of-flight method. The helicity dependence of the total neutron capture cross section was measured with an enriched 113Cd target and with a target of natural cadmium. Parity violating effects were observed for several resonances in 113Cd and 111Cd. A root-mean-square value of the parity nonconserving matrix element MJ=1 = 2.9+1.3-0.9 meV was obtained for the spin J=1 levels in the compound nucleus 114Cd. This result from the 3p-peak region of the neutron strength function is compared with the parity violation results for nuclei from the 4p-peak region.

Parity nonconservation (PNC) was measured for 24 p-wave resonances from 8 to 300 eV in 232Th by measuring the helicity dependence of the total neutron cross section for epithermal neutrons with an improved experimental system. Ten resonances show statistically significant parity violation. For these ten resonances the analyzing powers are all positive, thus confirming the previously observed sign correlation. The data are fit to the sum of two terms, a constant asymmetry and a fluctuating asymmetry. With this ansatz the root-mean-square PNC matrix element M=1.12 meV, which corresponds to a weak spreading widthΓw=4.7×10-7 eV. For the neighboring nuclide 238U there is no constant offset, suggesting that the sign correlation is specific to 232Th. Disciplines Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics | Physics Authors Sharon L. Stephenson, J D. Bowman, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M IInuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, G E. Mitchell, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, E I. Sharapov, Y-F Yen, and V W. Yuan This article is available at The Cupola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College: http://cupola.gettysburg.edu/physfac/20 Parity nonconservation in neutron resonances in Th S. L. Stephenson,* J. D. Bowman, B. E. Crawford, P. P. J. Delheij, C. M. Frankle, M. Iinuma, J. N. Knudson, L. Y. Lowie, A. Masaike, Y. Matsuda, G. E. Mitchell, S. I. Penttila, H. Postma, N. R. Roberson, S. J. Seestrom, E. I. Sharapov, Y.-F. Yen, and V. W. Yuan North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8202 and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308 Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708 and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308 TRIUMF, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2A3 Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan University of Technology, Delft, 2600 GA, The Netherlands Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Russia ~Received 6 April 1998! Parity nonconservation ~PNC! was measured for 24 p-wave resonances from 8 to 300 eV in Th by measuring the helicity dependence of the total neutron cross section for epithermal neutrons with an improved experimental system. Ten resonances show statistically significant parity violation. For these ten resonances the analyzing powers are all positive, thus confirming the previously observed sign correlation. The data are fit to the sum of two terms, a constant asymmetry and a fluctuating asymmetry. With this ansatz the root-meansquare PNC matrix element M51.12 meV, which corresponds to a weak spreading width Gw54.7310 27 eV. For the neighboring nuclide U there is no constant offset, suggesting that the sign correlation is specific to Th. @S0556-2813~98!03608-5# PACS number~s!: 25.40.Ny, 24.80.1y, 11.30.Er, 27.90.1b

For nearly fifty years, the limits on the electric dipole moment of the neutron have provided information of great importance in our understanding of the fundamental symmetries of nature. Current experiments using bottled Ultra Cold Neutrons (UCN) provide the best experimental limits on the neutron EDM. While modest improvements may be expected by extension of current methods, major reductions in the experimental error appear unlikely due to statistical sensitivity and systematic effects. This situation is unfortunate as several theoretical notions (supersymmetry and the origin of the baryon asymmetry) suggest a magnitude for the neutron EDM which may be only one or two orders of magnitude below the current limit. Recently, Golub and Lamoreaux (1) have suggested a new method for the measurement of the neutron EDM that uses a novel feature of the interaction between low energy neutron and superfluid 4He to provide a very high density of UCN in an experimental volume. The proposed method also promises a sig...

Measurements have been performed on the helicity dependence of the neutron resonance cross section for many nuclei by our TRIPLE Collaboration. A large number of parity violations are observed. Generic enhancements amplify the signal for symmetry breaking and the stochastic properties of the compound nucleus permit the strength of the symmetry-breaking interaction to be determined without knowledge of the wave functions of individual states. A total of 15 nuclei have been analyzed with this statistical approach. The results are summarized.

A dynamically‐polarized proton target operating at 5 Tesla and 1 K has been built to polarize an epithermal neutron beam for studies of parity violation in compound‐nuclear resonances. Nearly 0.9 proton polarization was obtained in an electron‐beam irradiated ammonia target. This was used to produce a neutron beam polarization of 0.7 at epithermal energies. The combination of the polarized proton target and the LANSCE spallation neutron source produces the most intense pulsed polarized epithermal neutron beam in the world. The neutron‐beam polarizer is described and methods to determine neutron beam polarization are presented.

The parity and time‐reversal symmetries can be studied in neutron‐nucleus interactions. Parity non‐conserving asymmetries have been observed for many p‐wave resonances in a compound nucleus and measurements were performed on several nuclei in the mass region of A∼100 and A∼230. The statistical model of the compound nucleus provides a theoretical basis for extracting mean‐squared matrix elements from the experimental asymmetry data, and for interpreting the mean‐squared matrix elements. The constraints on the weak meson‐exchange couplings calculated from the compound‐nucleus asymmetry data agree qualitatively with the results from few‐body and light‐nuclei experiments. The tests of time‐reversal invariance in various experiments using thermal, epithermal, and MeV neutrons are being developed.

The NPDGamma Experiment measures the parity-violating correlation Aγ between neutron spin and photon momentum in the reaction + p → d + γ. Knowledge of Aγ and other parity-violating observables in few-body nuclear systems will provide constraints for a parameterized description of ΔS = 0 parity-violating phenomena free from complications of nuclear structure. The NPDGamma experiment uses a polarized cold pulsed neutron beam, a liquid parahydrogen target, and a cylindrical array of 48 CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors operated in current mode to search for the asymmetry. NPDGamma recently completed the first phase of the program to measure Aγ at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center with the preliminary result Aγ = (−1.2 ± 2.1(stat.) ± 0.1(sys.)) × 10−7, reproducing the previous upper limit from a measurement at a reactor facility. We discuss the theoretical background and experimental method and report on preliminary analysis of the LANSCE data. The second phase of the program to measure Aγ is in progress at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The abBA experiment will measure, in the same apparatus, four correlation parameters in the free neutron β-decay: the electron-antineutrino angular correlation (a), the Fierz interference term (6), and the asymmetries, with respect to the neutron spin direction, of the electron (A)and antineutrino (B).The precise determination of these parameters, together with the neutron lifetime, will provide important information about the Standard Model (SM) and will establish constraints for new physics. In this paper we describe the experimental methodology of abBA as well as some of the advances that have been done so far.

In this talk I describe a new generation of experiments studying the weak interaction between nucleons. Measurements of the effect of this interaction are few in number and the significance of the observed effects are generally small. It is well known that the weak interaction violates parity. This was first experimentally established by C. S. Wu through measurement of an asymmetry of electrons emitted in the beta-decay of polarized {sup 60}Co. The measured asymmetry was large because beta decay is a weak interaction process. For a process in which the strong interaction can contribute, we expect much smaller asymmetries, of order 10{sup {minus}7}. In the work I will describe here we study the effects of the weak interaction through the signal of the parity violation associated with that interaction. There are two basic classes of experiment used to detect parity violation. The first relies on the measurement of a cross section or width that would vanish if parity were conserved. One example of this type of experiment in nuclear physics is the decay of an unnatural parity state to a 0+ nucleus and an {alpha}-particle. Such measurements have been made for two nuclei: {sup 16}O(2{sup {minus}}) {implies} {sup 12} C(g.s)more » + {alpha} and {sup 20}N{var epsilon}(1{sup +}) {implies} {sup 16} O(g.s) + {alpha}. Parity-violating widths as small as of 10{sup {minus}10} eV have been measured in these experiments. The second class of experiments involves a measurement of pseudo-scalar observables which are odd under parity inversion. These involve correlations between spin and linear angular momenta, for example circular polarization of {gamma}-rays ({sigma}{sub {gamma}} {center dot} {kappa}{sub {gamma}}) or longitudinal analyzing power ({sigma}{sub p} {center dot} {kappa}{sub p}). 20 refs., 6 figs.« less