Report on the Measurement of the Beta Asymmetry Parameter, $A_{\beta}$, of $^{37}$K
ORAL
Abstract
The standard model of particle physics (SM) makes a prediction for the observed angular asymmetry of the emitted $\beta$ particles coming from the $\beta$-decay of a spin polarized nucleus. The TRINAT collaboration based at TRIUMF has a well established program of measuring SM observables in the $\beta$-decay of alkali atoms confined in a magneto optical trap (MOT). Recently an experiment was performed to measure $A_{\beta}$ of $^{37}$K that had been trapped in a MOT and spin polarized via optical pumping. In preparation for this experiment the entire experimental apparatus, the nuclear detectors, the trapping and optical pumping schemes, and the data acquisition systems were upgraded. Details of the upgrades made to the experimental setup and preliminary results from the analysis of the $^{37}$K beta asymmetry data will be presented.
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