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The measurement of neutron beta decay observables with the Nab spectrometer
Stefan BaeΞ²ler Inst. Nucl. Part. Phys.
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The neutrino electron correlation coefficient π
π π p π ππ Novel approach to determine cos π ππ : Kinematics in Infinite Nuclear Mass Approximation: Energy Conservation: πΈ π = πΈ π,πππ₯ β πΈ π,πππ Momentum Conservation: π π 2 = π π π π π π π π cos π ππ πΞβ 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ +π π π πΈ π πΈ π,πππ =450 keV 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ π π 2 pp2 [MeV2/c2] pp2 distribution 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 Properties of π π 2 distribution for fixed πΈ π : Edges π π 2 πππ, πππ₯ = π π Β± π π 2 Slope β 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ π π 2 cos π ππ π π 2 =+1 cos π ππ π π 2 =β1 J.D. Bowman, Journ. Res. NIST 110, 40 (2005)
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The Fierz Interference Term π
π π p π ππ πΞβπ πΈ π 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ +π π π πΈ π 2 4 6 8 πΈ π,πππ (keV) Y i e l d ( a r b . u n t s ) = +0.1 SM Electron spectrum:
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Coupling Constants of the Weak Interaction
gA = GFΒ·VudΒ·Ξ» π π β1 β π π 2 +3 π π΄ 2 Coupling Constants in Neutron Decay π= π π΄ π π p = (udu) u e- WΒ± Ξ½e gV , gA gV = GFΒ·VudΒ·1 d n = (ddu) πβπ+ π β + π π Primordial Nucleosynthesis Solar cycle WΒ± e- Ξ½e n p n + Ξ½e β p + e- WΒ± e+ Ξ½e p + p 2H+ p + p β 2H+ + e+ + Ξ½e Start of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, Primordial 4He abundance Start of Solar Cycle, determines amount of Solar Neutrinos 5
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Neutron Lifetime Measurements
Beam: Decay rate: ππ ππ‘ = π π π Bottle: Neutron counts : π= π 0 π β π‘ ππππ with 1 ππππ = 1 π π π π€πππ UCN from source UCN Storage bottle(s) Shutter UCN detector UCNtau 6
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Motivation for Nab Determination of ratio π= π π΄ π π from π΄= β2 Re π + π π or π= 1β π π 2 : 2. Goal: Test of unitarity of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix from π π’π 2 π π 1+3 π 2 = s and π π’π π π’π π π’π 2 =1 For neutron data to be competitive, want: Ξ π π π π ~0.3 s Ξπ π ~0.03% Note: π should be fixed by standard model. However, precision of its calculation from first principles is insufficiently precise: PNDMEβ16 LHPCβ12 LHPCβ10 RBC/UKQCDβ08 Lin/Orginosβ07 RQCDβ14 QCDSF/UKQCDβ13 ETMCβ15 CLSβ12 RBCβ08 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75 π π =2 π π =2+1 2+1+1 π f = π = π π΄ / π π β1.30 β1.28 β1.26 β1.24 UCNA (2010) ( ) PERKEO II (1997) ( ) Stratowa (1978) PERKEO I (1986) Liaud (1997) ( ) PERKEO II (2002) PERKEO II (2013) UCNA (2013) ( ) Mostovoi (2001) Yerozolimskii (1997) Byrne (2002) My average: π=β1.2756(11) Ξπ π = 0.03% (Nab goal) π = ππ΄/ππ aCORN (2017) UCNA (2017) Most recent flavor Lattice-QCD result from PNDME: T. Bhattacharya et al., PRD 94, (2016)
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What if the test of CKM unitarity fails?
Like all precision measurements, a failure of the unitarity test would not point to a single cause: Various possibilities exist, among those are: Heavy quarks: Exotic muon decays: All determinations of π π’π use πΊ πΉ from muon lifetime. If the muon had additional decay modes (πβπ+π+β¦), πΊ πΉ (and π π’π ) would be determined wrong. E.g., π + β π + + π π +π π (wrong neutrinos) would be very relevant for neutrino factories. (Semi-)leptonic decays of nuclei through something other than exchange of π Β± bosons: πβ² π β² πβ² π·β² = π π’π π π’π π π’π π π’π· π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ· π π‘π π π‘π π π‘π π π‘π· π πΈπ π πΈπ π πΈπ π πΈπ· β π π π π· π π’π· 2 =1β π π’π 2 β π π’π 2 β π π’π 2 W. Marciano, A. Sirlin, PRL 56, 22 (1986) P. Langacker, D. London, PRD 38, 886 (1988) K.S. Babu and S. Pakvasa, hep-ph/ Specific models: E.g. W. Marciano, A. Sirlin, PRD 35, 1672 (1987). R. Barbieri et al., PLB 156, 348 (1985) K. Hagiwara et al., PRL 75, 3605 (1995) A. Kurylov, M. Ramsey-Musolf, PRL 88, (2000) Energy scale of new physics: Ξβ₯11 TeV V. Cirigliano et al., NPB 830, 95 (2010)
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Scalar(S) and tensor(T) interactions in beta decay
Other searches for Beyond Standard Model Physics: S,T interactions (fermions with βwrongβ helicity), e.g. through Wβ bosons; weak magnetism; second class currents; β¦ Low-energy experiments (mostly 0 + β 0 + , πβπππΎ); π π,π from quark model Low-energy experiments (add π < 10 β3 in n, 6He); π π,π from quark model Low-energy experiments, π π,π from Lattice QCD Low-energy experiments, π π,π from Lattice QCD LHC: 8 TeV, 20 fb-1 LHC: 14 TeV, 10,300 fb-1 LHC-Search for ππβπ+π+ other stuff and ππβπ+π+ other stuff
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Nab spectrometer @ FNPB @ SNS
- 30 kV 8 meters TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped magnetic filter region (field maximum) decay volume 0 kV Neutron beam 1 m flight path skipped Cold Neutron Beam 0-1 kV Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)
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Nab spectrometer operation
- 30 kV Γ 81 mm Segmented Si detector TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped magnetic filter region (field maximum) Measurement of πΈ π,πππ and tp for each event; protons only in upper detector 1 tp 2 gives an estimate for π π 2 , magnetic field shape gives a narrow detector response function Long TOF region improves proton TOF resolution Two detector geometry allows to suppress electron backscattering decay volume 0 kV Neutron beam 1 m flight path skipped 0-1 kV Original configuration: D. PoΔaniΔ, S. BaeΓler, D. Bowman, V. Cianciolo, G. Greene, S. PenttilΓ€ et al., NIM A 611, 211 (2009) Asymmetric configuration: S. BaeΓler, D. PoΔaniΔ, D. Bowman, S. PenttilΓ€ et al., arXiv:
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Nab spectrometer principle: measurement of Ee and tp
Proton Trajectory Magnetic Field Adiabatic conversion π β₯ π β₯ decay volume 0 kV 0-1 kV - 30 kV magnetic filter region (field maximum) Neutron beam TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped 1 m flight path skipped Measurement of πΈ π,πππ and tp for each event; protons only in upper detector 1 tp 2 gives an estimate for π π 2 , magnetic field shape gives a narrow detector response function Long TOF region improves proton TOF resolution Two detector geometry allows to suppress electron backscattering
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Electron energy measurement with backscattering suppression
decay volume 0 kV 0-1 kV - 30 kV magnetic filter region (field maximum) Neutron beam TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped 1 m flight path skipped detected Ee [keV] Yield 1 10 2 3 4 5 50 100 150 200 250 300 detected Ee for e- in lower detector detected Ee with only lower detector Detector response for incoming Ee = 300 keV Measurement of πΈ π,πππ and tp for each event; protons only in upper detector 1 tp 2 gives an estimate for π π 2 , magnetic field shape gives a narrow detector response function Long TOF region improves proton TOF resolution Two detector geometry allows to suppress electron backscattering
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Nab data analysis 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ π π 2 Full GEANT4 spectrometer simulation: pp2 distribution cos π ππ π π 2 =β1 0.002 0.004 0.006 Yield Inverse squared proton TOF 1 π‘ π 2 [1/ΞΌs2] 4000 8000 12000 πΈ π,πππ =450 keV πΈ π,πππ =300 keV πΈ π,πππ =150 keV πΈ π,πππ =600 keV πΈ π,πππ =750 keV cos π ππ π π 2 =+1 πΈ π,πππ =450 keV pp2 [MeV2/c2] π‘ π = π π βspectrometer length π π βcomponent along π΅ Data analysis: Use edge to determine or verify the spectrometer TOF response function. Then, use central part to determine slope and correlation coefficient a.
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Statistical uncertainty budget for π coefficient
Planned statistical uncertainty budget: lower π¬ π,πππ cutoff none 100 keV upper π π cutoff 40 ΞΌs 30 ΞΌs π«π (π΅, π, π variable) 2.4/βN 2.5/βN 2.7/βN 3.0/βN π«π (π΅, π, π, π¬ πππ , π³ variable) 2.6/βN 2.9/βN 3.2/βN π«π (π΅, π, π, π¬ πππ , π³ variable, inner 75% of data) 3.4/βN 3.5/βN 3.8/βN 4.3/βN As above, 10% bg 4.2/βN 4.4/βN 4.6/βN 5.0/βN 3.6Γ108 events can be detected in 6 weeks (Decay volume V = 246 cm3, 12.7% of decay protons go to upper detector, 50% efficiency in use of beam time, 1600 decays/s), corresponding to Ξπ π π π‘ππ‘ βΌ2.4β
1 0 β3 for this period. β π«π π ππππ βΌπβ
π π βπ can be reached, but it requires 70 weeks of data taking. Compare to Ξπ π =4 % of best existing experimental results (ACORN 2017), and βΌ1 % planned for ACORN and aSPECT
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Systematic uncertainty budget for π coefficient
Experimental parameter Main specification Systematic uncertainty Ξa/a Magnetic field ... curvature at pinch ΞπΎ/πΎ=2% with πΎ= π 2 π΅ π§ (π§)/π π§ 2 / π΅ π§ (0) 5.3Β·10-4 β¦ ratio rB = BTOF/B0 (Ξ π π΅ )/ π π΅ =1% 2.2Β·10-4 β¦ ratio rB,DV = BDV/B0 (Ξ π π΅,π·π )/ π π΅,π·π =1% 1.8Β·10-4 Length of the TOF region none Electrical potential inhomogeneity: β¦ in decay volume / filter region π πΉ β π π·π <10 mV 5Β·10-4 β¦ in TOF region π πΉ β π πππΉ <200 mV Neutron Beam: β¦ position Ξ π§ π·π <2 mm 1.7Β·10-4 β¦ profile (including edge effect) Slope at edges < 10%/cm 2.5Β·10-4 β¦ Doppler effect small β¦ Unwanted beam polarization π π βͺ 10 β4 can be small Adiabaticity of proton motion 1Β·10-4 Detector effects: β¦ Electron energy calibration Ξ πΈ π,πππ <0.2 keV 2Β·10-4 β¦ Shape of electron energy response fraction of events in tail to 1% 5.7Β·10-4 β¦ Proton trigger efficiency π π <100 ppm/keV 3.4Β·10-4 β¦ TOF shift due to detector/electronics Ξ π‘ π <0.3 ns 3Β·10-4 Residual gas π<2β
10 β9 torr 3.8Β·10-4 Background / Accidental coincidences Sum 1.2Β·10-3
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The measurement of the Fierz Interference Term π
π π p π ππ πΞβπ πΈ π 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ +π π π πΈ π decay volume 0 kV - 30 kV +1 kV magnetic filter region (field maximum) Neutron beam TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped 1 m flight path skipped 0 V -30 kV Goal: π«πβ€πβ
π π βπ Systematic uncertainties: Electron energy determination Most stringent requirement: Non-linearity of 0.01% Background 2% of events in tail (deadlayer, bremsstrahlung) Y i e l d 1 10 2 3 4 5 detected Ee [keV] 50 100 150 200 250 300 Detector response to decay electron with πΈ π =300Β keV 2 4 6 8 πΈ π,πππ (keV) Y i e l d ( a r b . u n t s ) = +0.1 SM Electron spectrum:
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Status of Nab experiment
Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline @ Spallation Neutron Source Magnet system tested successfully at manufacturer, is expected to arrive at ORNL this Friday. neutrons π΅ measured π΅ calculated -200 -100 100 300 400 500 600 π΅ /π 1 2 3 4 π§/cm 200
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Nab (and UCNB) detector properties
DAQ system (A. Sprow, C. Crawford et al.): All waveforms recorded. Risetime βΌ 40 ns, fall time βΌ4 Β΅s. Energy resolution a few keV, threshold β€10 keV Noise low enough to detect protons (average deposited energy: 18 keV) Bad pixels need investigation Γ 81 mm Back side LabVIEW controller C++ coincidence logic LabVIEW FPGA low-threshold trapezoid trigger on ADC Optical fiber bus, clock & sync LANL test run with Ce-139 source, Analysis H. Li Ξ³: 33 keV Ce-139 source Ξ²: 27 keV Ξ²: 127 keV Ξ²: 160 keV Electron, ~ 100 keV, followed by Proton, ~18 keV, in neighboring pixel
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Main electrode system: Simulation of the effect of openings
Symmetry axis Electric potential [V] z x Neutron beam Assumption for simulation: Potential of bore tube different by 1 V from electrodes
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Main electrode system: Fabrication
Top and bottom part of electrode system, before coating: Symmetry axis Neutron beam Parts are in hand, and are awaiting cleaning and coating.
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Electrode surface coating: What is the issue?
- + E field ...and I have no objection if the conductor is homogenous. However, if not: Most undergraduate textbooks: No electric field in empty hole inside conductor⦠_ + Φ1 EF,1 V Material 1 Material 2 Φ2 EF,2 VC Consequence: Need to establish that electric field is known, or known to be absent, in flight path.
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Work function measurements
Work Function [meV] 40 4900 35 30 4950 25 PRELIMINARY Height [mm] 20 5000 15 10 5050 5 5100 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Angle [Β°] In collaboration with Prof. I. Baikie, KP Technologies
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Main electrode system We previously identified two coating methods that provide good homogeneity of the work function, and are compatible with UHV conditions. A copper/silver spray (which was good always when the coating looked good eye) and a graphite spray (which was mostly good when the coating looked good by eye). We decided to go with copper/silver. 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 X [cm] Y [cm] 4600 4640 4680 4720 4760 4800 WF / meV But: Manufacturer changed recipe: NEW OLD AND GOOD Present status of testing: New spray seems to be equally good in terms of work function uniformity (π<10 meV) Vacuum test so far inconclusive Cryogenic testing not yet done Next step: Align main electrode substrates, do coating, characterize
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The Nab collaboration Active and recent collaborators:
R. Alarcona, S.B.b,c (Project Manager), S. Balascutaa, L. BarrΓ³n Palosn, K. Bassi, N. Birgei, A. Blosef, D. Borissenkob, J.D. Bowmanc (Co-Spokesperson), L. Broussardc, A.T. Bryantb, J. Byrned, J.R. Calarcoc,i, T. Chuppo, T.V. Ciancioloc, J.N. Clementb, C. Crawfordf, W. Fanb, W. Farrarb, N. Fomini, E. FrleΕΎb, J. Fryb, M.T. Gerickeg, M. Gervaisf, F. GlΓΌckh, G.L. Greenec,i, R.K. Grzywaczi, V. Gudkovj, J. Hamblene, C. Hayesm, C. Hendruso, T. Itok, H. Lib, C.C. Lub, M. Makelak, R. Mammeig, J. Martinl, M. Martineza, D.G. Matthewsf, P. McGaugheyk, C.D. McLaughlinb, P. Muellerc, D. van Pettenb, S.I. PenttilΓ€c (On-site Manager), D. PoΔaniΔc (Co-Spokesperson), G. Randalla, N. Roaneb, C.A. Roysem, K.P. Rykaczewskic, A. Salas-Baccib, E.M. Scotti, S.K. Sjuek, A. Smithb, E. Smithk, A. Sprowf, E. Stevensb, J. Wexlerm, R. Whiteheadi, W.S. Wilburnk, A.Youngm, B.Zeckm a Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ b Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA c Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 d Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Brighton BN19RH, UK e Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403 f Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506 g Department of Physics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada h KIT, UniversitΓ€t Karlsruhe (TH), KaiserstraΓe 12, Karlsruhe, Germany i Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 j Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 k Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 l Department of Physics, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B2E9, Canada m Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC n Universidad Nacional AutΓ³noma de MΓ©xico, MΓ©xico, D.F , MΓ©xico o University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Main project funding:
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The determination of the Fierz Interference term π
π π p π ππ πΞβπ πΈ π 1+π π π πΈ π cos π ππ +π π π πΈ π decay volume 0 kV - 30 kV +1 kV magnetic filter region (field maximum) Neutron beam TOF region (low field) 4 m flight path skipped 1 m flight path skipped 0 V -30 kV Goal: π«π<πβ
π π βπ Systematic uncertainties: Electron energy determination Background 2% of events in tail (deadlayer, bremsstrahlung) Y i e l d 1 10 2 3 4 5 detected Ee [keV] 50 100 150 200 250 300 Detector response to decay electron with πΈ π =300Β keV 2 4 6 8 E e , k i n ( V ) Y l d a r b . u t s = +0.1 SM Electron spectrum:
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Planned continuation (SNS or NIST): Polarized neutrons
Beta asymmetry (to extract π΄) : reflect all protons to bottom detector, use top detector for electrons Proton asymmetry (to extract π΅): detect protons at top Segmented Si detector TOF region (field r B ) B AFP Polarizer: Supermirror or Helium-3 Spin Polarimetry with Helium-3 Flipper magnetic filter region (field maximum) Main uncertainties in previous best experiment (PERKEO II): statistics, detector, background, polarization Superior detector energy resolution, good enough time resolution Keep coincidences to improve background SNS or NIST is an issue for π΄ Polarization measurement seems manageable (XSM or He-3)
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Summary The Nab collaboration is setting up the Nab spectrometer at the Spallation Neutron Source. Start of commissioning planned in summer Until tomorrow, the big reason for the delay has been the magnet. Goal: Ξa/a β€ 10-3 and Ξb β€ 3Β·10-3. This is in line with the requirements for standard model tests: Compare renormalization constant π= π π΄ / π π to direct determination on lattice. Unitarity test of Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix in first row. Search for new physics at above the TeV scale that manifests itself as S,T interaction. GrΓΆΓer Thank you for the attention!
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