aCORN: An Experiment to Measure the Electron-Antineutrino Correlation in Neutron Decay
ORAL
Abstract
The angular correlation between the beta electron and antineutrino in free neutron beta decay is characterized by the dimensionless parameter $a$ which, when combined with other neutron decay parameters, can be used to determine the $g_{V}$ and $g_{A}$ constants and test the validity and self-consistency of the Standard Model. In the new experimental method employed by aCORN, an asymmetry proportional to $a$ is produced in the coincident detection of the electron and recoil proton. This approach has good potential for smaller systematic uncertainties, which are expected to be less than 1{\%} of $a$. After completion of the detailed design, the component construction and testing is in progress. It is expected that integration and a test run will start at the LENS of the IUCF in 2008. The entire aCORN apparatus will move to NIST for a physics run with a cold neutron beam in fall 2008. This project is supported by the National Science Foundation.
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