Measurement of the Fierz Interference Term for Calcium-45

The Standard Model (SM) is one of the most complete theories of fundamental particle physics. Despite its wide success, there are still mechanisms for which the SM does not account. Neutrino flavor oscillations, the observed baryon asymmetry, and the dark matter puzzle make it clear that there must exist a sector of physics which is beyond the standard model (BSM). As such, a plethora of BSM extensions have been proposed, necessitating experiments with the ability to validate or set limits upon these extensions. Beta decay spectrum shape measurements provide the ability to probe possible scalar and tensor current interactions not included in the SM. The Nab experiment and a related \calcium ~beta spectrum measurement aim to measure the Fierz interference term `b\u27, which is a purely BSM decay correlation parameter. The following will discuss some aspects of the Nab experiment as well as the current limits placed on `b\u27 by the aforementioned \calcium ~beta spectrum measurement

Mass Table Calculations with Nuclear Density Functional Theory

To better understand nuclei and the strong nuclear force, it is useful to analyze global nuclear properties and trends across the nuclear chart. To this end, we utilized Nuclear Density Functional Theory with Skyrme Energy Density Functionals in conjunction with high-performance computing to perform large-scale mass table calculations for even-even nuclei. Using the binding energy, pairing gap, root-mean-square radius, and deformation data from these tables we were able to analyze the two-proton and two-neutron drip lines, neutron skin depth, two-proton radioactivity, and the effect of nuclear deformation on mass filters. We used numerous energy density functionals to assess the statistical and systematic errors associated with our calculations

Precision pulse shape simulation for proton detection at the Nab experiment

The Nab experiment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, aims to measure the beta-antineutrino angular correlation following neutron $\beta$ decay to an anticipated precision of approximately 0.1\%. The proton momentum is reconstructed through proton time-of-flight measurements, and potential systematic biases in the timing reconstruction due to detector effects must be controlled at the nanosecond level. We present a thorough and detailed semiconductor and quasiparticle transport simulation effort to provide precise pulse shapes, and report on relevant systematic effects and potential measurement schemes