Statistical sensitivity of the nEDM apparatus at PSI to n - n ' oscillations
Statistical sensitivity of the nEDM apparatus at PSI to n - n ' oscillations
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PSI 下 nEDM 装置对 n - n 振荡的统计灵敏度
DOI：
10.1051/epjconf/201921907001
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发表时间：
2019
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Abel C
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Abel C
中子及其假想的镜像对应物（质量简并的无菌状态）可以在比中子β衰变快得多的过程中自发混合。两个小组进行了一系列实验来寻找中子-镜像中子 (n−n′) 振荡。他们没有报告任何证据，从而对振荡时间 τnn′ 设定了严格的限制。后来，Berezhiani等人（2009-2017）对这些数据集进行了进一步分析，并报告了在存在镜像磁场的情况下与n−n'振荡兼容的信号。保罗谢勒研究所的中子电偶极矩合作组织进行了一系列新的实验，以进一步测试这些信号。在本文中，我们描述并激发了我们对运行配置的选择，最佳填充时间为 29 秒，存储时间为 180 秒和 380 秒，外加磁场为 10 μT 和 20 μT。这些运行配置的选择确保了设置与之前的工作的可靠重叠，并且还提高了测试信号的灵敏度。我们还详细阐述了中子计数标准化技术，使得在保罗谢勒研究所的超冷中子源上进行这样的计数实验成为可能。此外，还演示了满足 n−n' 振荡搜索要求的磁场表征。最后，我们证明这项工作具有与当前 B′ = 0 的主要约束相当的 ton−n′ 振荡统计灵敏度。
The neutron and its hypothetical mirror counterpart, a sterile state degenerate in mass, could spontaneously mix in a process much faster than the neutron β-decay. Two groups have performed a series of experiments in search of neutron – mirror-neutron (n−n′) oscillations. They reported no evidence, thereby setting stringent limits on the oscillation time τnn′. Later, these data sets have been further analyzed by Berezhiani et al.(2009–2017), and signals, compatible withn−n′ oscillations in the presence of mirror magnetic fields, have been reported. The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Collaboration based at the Paul Scherrer Institute performed a new series of experiments to further test these signals. In this paper, we describe and motivate our choice of run configurations with an optimal filling time of 29 s, storage times of 180 s and 380 s, and applied magnetic fields of 10 μT and 20 μT. The choice of these run configurations ensures a reliable overlap in settings with the previous efforts and also improves the sensitivity to test the signals. We also elaborate on the technique of normalizing the neutron counts, making such a counting experiment at the ultra-cold neutron source at the Paul Scherrer Institute possible. Furthermore, the magnetic field characterization to meet the requirements of thisn−n′ oscillation search is demonstrated. Finally, we show that this effort has a statistical sensitivity ton−n′ oscillations comparable to the current leading constraints forB′ = 0.