Gießen 2024 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

HK: Fachverband Physik der Hadronen und Kerne

HK 1: Computing I

HK 1.4: Talk

Monday, March 11, 2024, 17:30–17:45, HBR 14: HS 1

Simulating ultra cold neutron storage and lifetime measurement in a fully magnetic trap — •Sylvain Vanneste for the tauSPECT collaboration — Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

The accurate determination of the free neutron lifetime is of special interest in today’s precision physics era. Its value is tightly connected to quarks mixing, and to the ratio of hydrogen to helium produced during the early Universe. As of today, the two existing distinct measurement techniques provide non-compatible results, giving rise to the so-called neutron lifetime puzzle.

With the aim of reducing experimental systematic uncertainties due to neutron absorption by material walls, the τSPECT experiment is a fully magnetic trap for Ultra Cold Neutrons (UCNs). In order to precisely understand and characterise the behaviour of UCN after production, guidance, storage, and finally detection inside τSPECT, a tailored simulation is being developed using the PENTrack software. The framework includes UCN dynamics via gravity; transmission trough, and reflection from, material surfaces; moving geometries; and interactions with magnetic fields. This work presents the results of such end-to-end simulations, comparisons with actual data measurements, and possible improvements for UCN magnetic storage experiments.

Keywords: UCN; simulation; tspect; neutron; lifetime