Low-energy proton detection using silicon drift detectors, and precision measurements of the proton asymmetry in neutron decay

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Silicon drift detectors (SDDs) offer significant advantages for the detection of protons from neutron decay compared to more traditional techniques. An excellent separation of the signal from noise is observed for protons accelerated to only a few keV. In view of an efficient exploitation of the planned instrument PERC it is proposed to further investigate the properties of this unique detector with the scope to minimise systematic effects in neutron decay studies. Although PERC will provide much higher count rates, experimental studies on proton counting and spectroscopy in neutron decay can be performed already now using the existing spectrometer aSPECT developed in a collaboration of Mainz University and the TU Munich. To use the full potential of aSPECT it is proposed to develop and employ a large 9-cell SDD. Complementary to a measurement of the proton recoil spectrum (grant application by W. Heil) a first measurement of the proton asymmetry in neutron decay on the 0.1 % accuracy level shall be performed.