Detecting the Radiative Decay Mode of the Neutron.
Beta decay of the neutron into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino is occasionally accompanied by the emission of a photon. Despite decades of detailed experimental studies of neutron beta-decay, this rare branch of a fundamental weak decay has never been observed. An experiment to study the radiative beta-decay of the neutron is currently being developed for the NG-6 fundamental physics endstation at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). The experiment will make use of the existing apparatus for the NIST proton-trap lifetime experiment, which can provide substantial background reduction by providing an electron-proton coincidence trigger. Tests and design of a detector for gamma-rays in the 10 keV to 200 keV range are under development. The need for a large solid-angle gamma-ray detector that can operate in a strong magnetic field and at low temperature has led us to consider scintillating crystals in conjunction with avalanche photodiodes. The motivation and experimental technique will be discussed.
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 USA.
B M
BM
Fisher
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 USA.
F E
FE
Wietfeldt
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8461 USA.
M S
MS
Dewey
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8461 USA.
T R
TR
Gentile
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8461 USA.
J S
JS
Nico
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8461 USA.
A K
AK
Thompson
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305-3328 USA.
K J
KJ
Coakley
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA.
E J
EJ
Beise
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA.
K G
KG
Kiriluk
University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH UK.
J
J
Byrne
beta decay; neutron decay; radiative corrections; radiative decay