Precision Neutron Polarimetry for Neutron Beta Decay

The abBA collaboration is developing a new type of field-expansion spectrometer for a measurement of the three correlation coefficients a, A, and B and the shape parameter b. The measurement of A and B requires precision neutron polarimetry. We will polarize a pulsed cold neutron beam from the SNS using a ³He neutron spin filter. The well-known polarizing cross section for n-³He has a 1/v dependence, where v is the neutron velocity, which is used to determine the absolute beam polarization through a time-of-flight (TOF) measurement. We show that by measuring the TOF dependence of A and B, the coefficients and the neutron polarization can be determined with a small loss of the statistical precision and with negligible systematic error. We conclude that it is possible to determine the neutron polarization averaged over a long run in the neutron beta decay experiment with a statistical error less than 10⁻⁴. We discuss various sources of systematic uncertainty in the measurement of A and B and conclude that the fractional systematic errors are less than 2 × 10⁻⁴.     

基于D-D中子源校准中子周围剂量当量仪的最小房间尺寸研究

在中子周围剂量当量仪校准过程中,使用D-D中子源代替传统同位素中子源会使校准过程具有更高的安全性。为推动D-D中子源在中子周围剂量当量仪校准过程中的应用,提出了应用蒙特卡罗(MC)法的能量截断法代替影锥法的散射中子研究方法;分析了在不同类型房间中,不同内部空间尺寸对散射中子的影响。计算结果表明随着房间内部空间的增大,入射探测器的散射中子所占比例会逐渐减小。若使用D-D中子源进行中子周围剂量当量仪校准,在探测距离75cm,探测器直径20cm的情况下,所需的最小正方体房间的内部空间棱长为332cm;所需最小长方体房间的内部空间的长、宽、高分别为410cm、410cm、205cm。     

The Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with an anticipated start-up in early 2006, will provide the most intense pulsed beams of cold neutrons in the world. At a projected power of 1.4 MW, the time averaged fluxes and fluences of the SNS will approach those of high flux reactors. One of the flight paths on the cold, coupled moderator will be devoted to fundamental neutron physics. The fundamental neutron physics beamline is anticipated to include two beam-lines; a broad band cold beam, and a monochromatic beam of 0.89 nm neutrons for ultracold neutron (UCN) experiments. The fundamental neutron physics beamline will be operated as a user facility with experiment selection based on a peer reviewed proposal process. An initial program of five experiments in neutron decay, hadronic weak interaction and time reversal symmetry violation have been proposed.     

Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime by Counting Trapped Protons

We measured the neutron decay lifetime by counting in-beam neutron decay recoil protons trapped in a quasi-Penning trap. The absolute neutron beam fluence was measured by capture in a thin ⁶LiF foil detector with known efficiency. The combination of these measurements gives the neutron lifetime: τ_n = (886.8 ± 1.2 ± 3.2) s, where the first (second) uncertainty is statistical (systematic) in nature. This is the most precise neutron lifetime determination to date using an in-beam method.     

基于Geant4模拟中子输运过程及建立中子监测模型

通过研究Geant4程序的中子输运模型与反应截面库,构建热中子至20 MeV中子的输运过程,为验证Geant4中子输运过程的正确性,通过建立中子监测模型,再根据监测模型设计试验装置,最后将试验装置放入中子参考辐射场中进行测试验证.模拟与实验结果表明:试验装置在241Am-Be中子源和252Cf源中子参考辐射场中测试结果最大误差为2.5％.     

Facilities for Fundamental Neutron Physics Research at the NIST Cold Neutron Research Facility

The features of two fundamental neutron physics research stations at the NIST cold neutron research facility are described in some detail. A list of proposed initial experimental programs for these two stations is also given.     

Neutron imaging at Peking University

Neutron imaging techniques were investigated at Peking University based on a 4.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator. The thermal neutron radiography, fast neutron radiography and fast neutron resonance radiography were tested. The low neutron flux limits the image quality. A new radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator based neutron source with a yield of 1012 n/s is being set up.     

Beamline Performance Simulations for the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source

Monte Carlo simulations are being performed to design and characterize the neutron optics components for the two fundamental neutron physics beamlines at the Spallation Neutron Source. Optimization of the cold beamline includes characterization of the guides and benders, the neutron transmission through the 0.89 nm monochromator, and the expected performance of the four time-of-flight choppers. The locations and opening angles of the choppers have been studied using a simple spreadsheet-based analysis that was developed for other SNS chopper instruments. The spreadsheet parameters are then optimized using Monte Carlo techniques to obtain the results presented in this paper. Optimization of the 0.89 nm beamline includes characterizing the double crystal monochromator and the downstream guides. The simulations continue to be refined as components are ordered and their exact size and performance specifications are determined.     

采用放射性核素中子源的中子参考辐射装置

采用放射性核素中子源的中子参考辐射装置不仅可用于中子防护仪表日常校准、刻度,还可以作为硬件平台开展部分实验研究。中国计量科学研究院根据ISO 8529-1的规定以及中子参考辐射装置的用途,对原有的中子参考辐射装置进行了技术改造,使其不仅满足中子防护仪表日常校准的要求,同时也可满足部分中子实验的要求。     

NIST Calibration of a Neutron Spectrometer ROSPEC

A neutron spectrometer was acquired for use in the measurement of National Institute of Standards and Technology neutron fields. The spectrometer included options for the measurement of low and high energy neutrons, for a total measurement range from 0.01 eV up to 17 MeV. The spectrometer was evaluated in calibration fields and was used to determine the neutron spectrum of an Americium-Beryllium neutron source. The calibration fields used included bare and moderated ²⁵²Cf, monoenergetic neutron fields of 2.5 MeV and 14 MeV, and a thermal-neutron beam. Using the calibration values determined in this exercise, the spectrometer gives a good approximation of the neutron spectrum, and excellent values for neutron fluence, for all NIST calibration fields. The spectrometer also measured an Americium-Beryllium neutron field in a NIST exposure facility and determined the field quite well. The spectrometer measured scattering effects in neutron spectra which previously could be determined only by calculation or integral measurements.     

中子源强度基准装置

中子源强度基准装置采用锰浴法绝对测量放射性核素中子源的中子发射率,可以开展中子发射率的量值传递。基准装置由内部直径110cm的球形锰池、具有2路NaI探测器的伽马测量系统以及配套的溶液循环系统和屏蔽铅室组成,改造后的基准装置参加了国际计量局组织的中子发射率国际比对(BIPM CCRI(III)-K9.AmBe.1),比对结果等效,为实现中子发射率测量结果的国际互认提供了技术依据。     

Determination of the Neutron Lifetime Using Magnetically Trapped Neutrons

We report progress on an experiment to measure the neutron lifetime using magnetically trapped neutrons. Neutrons are loaded into a 1.1 T deep superconducting Ioffe-type trap by scattering 0.89 nm neutrons in isotopically pure superfluid ⁴He. Neutron decays are detected in real time using the scintillation light produced in the helium by the beta-decay electrons. The measured trap lifetime at a helium temperature of 300 mK and with no ameliorative magnetic ramping is substantially shorter than the free neutron lifetime. This is attributed to the presence of neutrons with energies higher than the magnetic potential of the trap. Magnetic field ramping is implemented to eliminate these neutrons, resulting in an 833−63+74s trap lifetime, consistent with the currently accepted value of the free neutron lifetime.     

Ultra-High Resolution Inelastic Neutron Scattering

Two types of ultra high energy resolution neutron scattering instruments, the backscattering spectrometer and the spin echo spectrometer, are described. Examples of the types of research which can be done with these instruments are given and plans for a cold neutron backscattering spectrometer which will be built in the NIST Cold Neutron Research Facility (CNRF) are discussed. It is hoped that this information will be of use to researchers considering neutron scattering experiments at NIST.     

Virtual Excitation and Multiple Scattering Correction Terms to the Neutron Index of Refraction for Hydrogen

The neutron index of refraction is generally derived theoretically in the Fermi approximation. However, the Fermi approximation neglects the effects of the binding of the nuclei of a material as well as multiple scattering. Calculations by Nowak introduced correction terms to the neutron index of refraction that are quadratic in the scattering length and of order 10⁻³ fm for hydrogen and deuterium. These correction terms produce a small shift in the final value for the coherent scattering length of H₂ in a recent neutron interferometry experiment.     

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 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 β-asymmetry in neutron decay, A₀, of −0.1189(7) is in a good agreement with the Standard Model.     

探测快中子的新技术(一)

概述了近年探则快中子的新技术，它们分别是：抑制γ射线、热中子和带电粒子的符合谱仪；高分辨、宽能量范围（0．1～15．0MeV）带正比计数器的3He夹心谱仪；含氢的纤维闪烁作用于抑制γ射线、中子位置分布和中子能谱测量，及合锂的纤维玻璃闪烁体用于长中子计数器测平均中子能量；中子的直接探测；用于中高能和重离子核物理的多元件阵列快中子探测器和极化仪；用于核核查的中子源影像探测器；高入射氚核能量和高能中子的伴随粒子技术等七个方面。它们对中子计量学的发展是重要的。     

On the Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime Using Ultracold Neutrons in a Vacuum Quadrupole Trap

We present a conceptual design for an experiment to measure the neutron lifetime (~886 s) with an accuracy of 10⁻⁴. The lifetime will be measured by observing the decay rate of a sample of ultracold neutrons (UCN) confined in vacuum in a magnetic trap. The UCN collaboration at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a prototype UCN source that is expected to produce a bottled UCN density of more than 100/cm³ [1]. The availability of such an intense source makes it possible to approach the measurement of the neutron lifetime in a new way. We argue below that it is possible to measure the neutron lifetime to 10⁻⁴ in a vacuum magnetic trap. The measurement involves no new technology beyond the expected UCN density. If even higher densities are available, the experiment can be made better and/or less expensive. We present the design and methodology for the measurement. The slow loss of neutrons that have stable orbits, but are not energetically trapped would produce a systematic uncertainty in the measurement. We discuss a new approach, chaotic cleaning, to the elimination of quasi-neutrons from the trap by breaking the rotational symmetry of the quadrupole trap. The neutron orbits take on a chaotic character and mode mixing causes the neutrons on the quasi-bound orbits to leave the trap.     

Measurement of Neutron Decay Parameters—The abBA Experiment

We are developing an experiment to measure the correlations a, A, and B, and the Fierz interference term b in neutron decay, with a precision of approximately 10⁻⁴. The experiment uses an electromagnetic spectrometer in combination with two large-area segmented silicon detectors to detect the proton and electron from the decay in coincidence, with 4π acceptance for both particles. For the neutron-polarization-dependent observables A and B, precision neutron polarimetry is achieved through the combination of a pulsed neutron beam, under construction at the SNS, and a polarized ³He neutron polarizer. Measuring a and A in the same apparatus provides a redundant determination of λ = g_A/g_V. Uncertainty in λ dominates the uncertainty of CKM unitarity tests.     

Neutron response function for a detector with He counters for the 0.39–1.54 MeV neutron energy range

An experimental study was carried out on the neutron response functions of two neutron detector arrays consisting of 39 ³He proportional counters with a polyethylene moderator for monoenergetic neutrons within the 0.39–1.54 MeV neutron energy range. Experimental data on the sensitivity of neutron counting to a change in neutron energy and the influence of the thickness of polyethylene moderator were obtained. The experimental efficiency curves were compared with the calculated response functions generated by a neutron transport code.     

Parity-Violating Neutron Spin Rotation in a Liquid Parahydrogen Target

Our understanding of hadronic parity violation is far from clear despite nearly 50 years of theoretical and experimental progress. Measurements of low-energy parity-violating observables in nuclear systems are the only accessible means to study the flavor-conserving weak hadronic interaction. To reduce the uncertainties from nuclear effects, experiments in the few and two-body system are essential. The parity-violating rotation of the transverse neutron polarization vector about the momentum axis as the neutrons traverse a target material has been measured in heavy nuclei and few nucleon systems using reactor cold neutron sources. We describe here an experiment to measure the neutron spin-rotation in a parahydrogen target (n-p system) using pulsed cold-neutrons from the fundamental symmetries beam line at the Spallation Neutron Source under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.