Program of Fundamental-Interaction Research for the Ultracold-Neutron Source at the the WWR-M Reactor

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Physics of Atomic Nuclei

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063778818020175· OSTI ID:22761744

The use of ultracold neutrons opens unique possibilities for studying fundamental interactions in particles physics. Searches for the neutron electric dipole moment are aimed at testing models of CP violation. A precise measurement of the neutron lifetime is of paramount importance for cosmology and astrophysics. Considerable advances in these realms can be made with the aid of a new ultracold-neutron (UCN) supersource presently under construction at Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. With this source, it would be possible to obtain an UCN density approximately 100 times as high as that at currently the best UCN source at the high-flux reactor of the Institute Laue–Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France). To date, the design and basic elements of the source have been prepared, tests of a full-scale source model have been performed, and the research program has been developed. It is planned to improve accuracy in measuring the neutron electric dipole moment by one order of magnitude to a level of 10{sup −27} to 10{sup −28}e cm. This is of crucial importance for particle physics. The accuracy in measuring the neutron lifetime can also be improved by one order of magnitude. Finally, experiments that would seek neutron–antineutron oscillations by employing ultracold neutrons will become possible upon reaching an UCN density of 10{sup 3} to 10{sup 4} cm{sup −3}. The current status of the source and the proposed research program are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 22761744
• Journal Information: Physics of Atomic Nuclei, Journal Name: Physics of Atomic Nuclei Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 81; ISSN 1063-7788; ISSN PANUEO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ANTINEUTRONS
ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
CP INVARIANCE
ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENTS
FUNDAMENTAL INTERACTIONS
NEUTRON DENSITY
NEUTRON SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ULTRACOLD NEUTRONS