Karlsruhe 2011 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 35: Neutrinophysik an Beschleunigern / Andere Gebiete der experimentellen Teilchenphysik

T 35.4: Vortrag

Freitag, 1. April 2011, 14:50–15:05, 30.23: 2-0

Measurement of the bound β−decay of the free neutron — R. Emmerich¹, R. Engels², T. Faestermann¹, P. Fierlinger¹, M. Gabriel¹, E. Gutsmiedl¹, J. Hartmann¹, R. Hertenberger³, S. Paul¹, A. Röhrmoser⁴, •J. Schön¹, W. Schott¹, and T. Udem⁵ — ¹Physik-Department, TUM, Garching, Germany — ²Institut f. Kernphysik, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany — ³Sektion Physik, LMU, Garching — ⁴FRM2, TUM, Garching — ⁵MPI f. Quantenphysik, Garching

An experiment to measure the bound decay of the neutron into a hydrogen atom and an anti-neutrino is described. Observation of such a decay would open an alternative pathway to physics beyond Standard Model, in particular right handed current admixtures in the weak interaction as well as the handedness of the neutrino. The experiment is planned at the through going beam-tube SR6 at the FRM2. Although the branching ratio of the decay into monoenergetic hydrogen atoms with E_kin=326 eV is expected to be only 4·10⁻⁶, a sufficient decay rate due to the high neutron flux in the experiment is expected. The measurement poses a significant experimental challenge due to the expected background. Simulations have shown that the measurement is feasible, with proper shielding being the critical factor. A possible experimental setup is currently being studied, testing different detection techniques for H(2s). These comprise the use of charge exchange reactions into H⁻ ions or detection the Lyman alpha light with photodetectors. We will report on the current status, emphasizing different test results and outline plans for the installation at a high flux reactor.