aCORN: A Precision Measurement of the Neutron Decay $a$-coefficient

ORAL

Abstract

The aCORN experiment will make a precision ($<1$\%) measurement of the electron-antineutrino angular correlation ($a$- coefficient) in neutron beta decay. It uses a novel collimation geometry in which the $a$-coefficient is proportional to an asymmetry in beta-proton coincidence count rates, so that precision spectroscopy of the particles is not necessary. The apparatus is now being constructed; it will be integrated and tested at the new LENS facility at Indiana University in 2007 and then moved to the NIST Center for Neutron Research for a precision physics measurement in 2008. The current status of design and construction will be presented. Work supported by NSF grants PHY-0420851, PHY-0420361, PHY-0420716, PHY-0420563, and NIST (U.S. Dept. of Commerce).

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Authors

  • F.E. Wietfeldt

    • Tulane University

  • R. Badici

  • B.M. Fisher

  • C. Trull

    • Tulane University

  • M. Leuschner

    • IUCF

  • B. Collett

  • G.L. Jones

    • Hamilton College

  • A. Komives

    • DePauw University

  • R. Wilson

  • B.G. Yerozolimsky

    • Harvard University

  • M.S. Dewey

  • J.S. Nico

    • NIST

  • Yu. Mostovoy

    • Kurchatov Institute

  • J. Byrne

    • University of Sussex