3 research outputs found
Testing the Unitarity of the CKM Matrix with a Space-Based Neutron Decay Experiment
If the Standard Model is correct, and fundamental fermions exist only in the
three generations, then the CKM matrix should be unitary. However, there
remains a question over a deviation from unitarity from the value of the
neutron lifetime. We discuss a simple space-based experiment that, at an orbit
height of 500 km above Earth, would measure the kinetic-energy, solid-angle,
flux spectrum of gravitationally bound neutrons (kinetic energy K<0.606 eV at
this altitude). The difference between the energy spectrum of neutrons that
come up from the Earth's atmosphere and that of the undecayed neutrons that
return back down to the Earth would yield a measurement of the neutron
lifetime. This measurement would be free of the systematics of laboratory
experiments. A package of mass kg could provide a 10^{-3} precision in
two years.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Revised and updated for publicatio
Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime by Counting Trapped Protons in a Cold Neutron Beam
A measurement of the neutron lifetime performed by the absolute
counting of in-beam neutrons and their decay protons has been completed.
Protons confined in a quasi-Penning trap were accelerated onto a silicon
detector held at a high potential and counted with nearly unit efficiency. The
neutrons were counted by a device with an efficiency inversely proportional to
neutron velocity, which cancels the dwell time of the neutron beam in the trap.
The result is s, which
is the most precise measurement of the lifetime using an in-beam method. The
systematic uncertainty is dominated by neutron counting, in particular the mass
of the deposit and the Li({\it{n,t}}) cross section. The measurement
technique and apparatus, data analysis, and investigation of systematic
uncertainties are discussed in detail.Comment: 71 pages, 20 figures, 9 tables; submitted to PR