Searching for time reversal invariance violation in polarized neutron decay

Abstract

Time reversal invariance violation is tightly constrained in the Standard Model, and the existence of a T-violating effect above the predicted level would be an indication of new physics. A sensitive probe of this symmetry in the weak interaction is the measurement of the D-coefficient in neutron decay. This parameter characterizes the triple-correlation of neutron spin, electron momentum, and neutrino (or proton) momentum, which changes sign under time reversal. The emiT experiment, now on line, attempts to improve the measurement of D,D, whose current average is 0.3±1.5×10−3.0.3±1.5×10−3. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87907/2/399_1.pd