Abstract
An experiment to observe the bound beta-decay (BOB) of the free neutron into a hydrogen atom and an electron anti-neutrino is described. The hyperfine spin state population of the monoenergetic hydrogen atom yields the neutrino left-handedness or possible right-handed admixture as well as possible small scalar and tensor contributions to the weak force. The BOB H(2s) hyperfine states can be separated with a Lamb-Shift Spin Filter. These monoenergetic H(2s) atoms are ionised into H− by charge exchanging within an argon cell. These ions are then separated using an adaptation of a MAC-E Filter. A first experiment is proposed at the FRMII high thermal-neutron flux beam reactor SR6 through-going beam tube, where we will seek to observe this rare neutron decay-mode for the first time and determine the branching ratio. After successful completion, the hyperfine spin state population will be determined, possibly at the ILL high-flux beam reactor through-going beam tube H6–H7, where the thermal neutron flux is a factor of four larger.
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McAndrew, J., Paul, S., Emmerich, R. et al. Neutron bound beta-decay: BOB. Hyperfine Interact 210, 13–17 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-011-0494-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-011-0494-2