The new Magnetic Measurement System at the Advanced Photon Source

A new system for precise measurements of the field integrals and multipole components of the APS magnetic insertion devices is described. A stretched coil is used to measure magnetic field characteristics. The hardware includes a number of servomotors to move (translate or rotate) the coil and a fast data acquisition board to measure the coil signal. A PC under Linux is used as a control workstation. The user interface is written as a Tcl/tk script. The hardware is accessed from the script through a shared C-library. A description of the hardware system and the control program is given.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, paper 3271 submitted to ICALEPCS 2001 Conferenc

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a gravitational trap and a low-temperature Fomblin coating

We present a new value for the neutron lifetime of 878.5 +- 0.7 stat. +- 0.3 syst. This result differs from the world average value (885.7 +- 0.8 s) by 6.5 standard deviations and by 5.6 standard deviations from the previous most precise result. However, this new value for the neutron lifetime together with a beta-asymmetry in neutron decay, Ao, of -0.1189(7) is in a good agreement with the Standard Model.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures; extended content with some correction

Fundamental Physical Constants: Looking from Different Angles

We consider fundamental physical constants which are among a few of the most important pieces of information we have learned about Nature after its intensive centuries-long studies. We discuss their multifunctional role in modern physics including problems related to the art of measurement, natural and practical units, origin of the constants, their possible calculability and variability etc

Measurement of J/ψ→γηcJ/\psi\to\gamma\eta_{\rm c} decay rate and ηc\eta_{\rm c} parameters at KEDR

Using the inclusive photon spectrum based on a data sample collected at the $J/\psi$ peak with the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M $e^+e^-$ collider, we measured the rate of the radiative decay $J/\psi\to\gamma\eta_{\rm c}$ as well as $\eta_{\rm c}$ mass and width. Taking into account an asymmetric photon lineshape we obtained $\Gamma^0_{\gamma\eta_{\rm c}}=2.98\pm0.18 \phantom{|}^{+0.15}_{-0.33}$ keV, $M_{\eta_{\rm c}} = 2983.5 \pm 1.4 \phantom{|}^{+1.6}_{-3.6}$ MeV/$c^2$, $\Gamma_{\eta_{\rm c}} = 27.2 \pm 3.1 \phantom{|}^{+5.4}_{-2.6}$ MeV.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Measurement of B(J/psi->eta_c gamma) at KEDR

We present a study of the inclusive photon spectrum from 6.3 million J/psi decays collected with the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M e+e- collider. We measure the branching fraction of the radiative decay J/psi -> eta_c gamma, eta_c width and mass. Taking into account an asymmetric photon line shape we obtain: M(eta_c) = (2978.1 +- 1.4 +- 2.0) MeV/c^2, Gamma(eta_c) = (43.5 +- 5.4 +- 15.8) MeV, B(J/psi->eta_c gamma) = (2.59 +- 0.16 +- 0.31)%$.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. To be published in the proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Charm Physics (Charm2010), October 21-24, 2010, IHEP, Beijin

Measurement of J/psi to eta_c gamma at KEDR

We present a study of the inclusive photon spectra from 5.9 million J/psi decays collected with the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M e+e- collider. We measure the branching fraction of radiative decay J/psi to eta_c gamma, eta_c width and mass. Our preliminary results are: M(eta_c) = 2979.4+-1.5+-1.9 MeV, G(eta_c) = 27.8+-5.1+-3.3 MeV, B(J/psi to eta_c gamma) = (2.34+-0.15+-0.40)%.Comment: To be published in Proceedings of the PhiPsi09, Oct. 13-16, 2009, Beijing, Chin