Parity violating neutron spin rotation in ⁴He and H

The weak interaction between nucleons leads to parity violation in various reaction observables. Neutron spin rotation, the rotation of the plane of polarization of a transversely polarized neutron beam passing through unpolarized matter, is an especially clear example of a breakdown in mirror symmetry. The Neutron Spin Rotation (NSR) Collaboration is engaged in an experimental program to observe parity-odd neutron spin rotation. We recently completed the first phase of an experiment to measure parity violating neutron spin rotation in 4He. Our result for the neutron spin rotation angle per unit length in 4He, dφ/dz = (+1.7 ± 9.1(stat.) ± 1.4(sys.)) × 10-7 rad/m, is the most sensitive search for neutron weak optical activity yet performed and represents a significant advance in precision in comparison to past measurements in heavy nuclei. This experiment was performed at the NG-6 slow neutron beamline at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research. The systematic uncertainty is small enough to proceed to the second phase of the 4He measurement at the new NG-C slow neutron beamline under construction at NIST. The projected intensity of this beam is high enough to see parity odd neutron spin rotation in 4He and to seriously consider a future experiment to measure neutron spin rotation in hydrogen. © Società Italiana di Fisica.

Duke Scholars

Author Diane M Markoff Physics