Ultracold Neutrons at TRIUMF: Bridging Grant Application for New Members

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A world-leading new source of ultracold neutrons (UCN) is being constructed in Canada (at TRIUMF, Vancouver, BC) with the help of collaborators from Japan (Masuda, et al). The UCN we produce will be used to push some very interesting physics experiments to unprecedented levels of precision. Initially we are focused on a measurement of the neutron electric dipole moment (EDM), and it is primarily our activities on this experiment for which we are seeking NSERC support. Measurements of electric dipole moments already severely limit new sources of Charge-Parity (CP) violation beyond the standard model, sources which are believed to be required in order to explain the predominance of matter over antimatter (baryon asymmetry) in the universe today. If a non-zero value were discovered at the level of experimental precision within reach of our new experiment, it could signify a new source of CP violation, and hence help to explain the baryon asymmetry of the universe. Our activities over the next two years will involve completing critical R&D on a very precise comagnetometer for the experiment. We are developing the dual-species Xe-129/Hg-199 comagnetometer. This solution has several advantages over the traditional single-species Hg-199 comagnetometer, the most important being that it offers a cross-check on the anticipated largest systematic error in the experiment. The comagnetometer R&D requires expertise in advanced laser and atomic physics techniques, offered by the three new collaborators that are requesting support via a bridging grant for two years.