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Reanalysis of the 𝛽− $$\overline{v}$$𝑒 Angular Correlation Measurement from the aSPECT Experiment with New Constraints on Fierz Interference

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz (Germany)
  2. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  3. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Germany)
  4. Technische Universität Wien (Austria)
  5. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg (Germany)
On the basis of revisions of some of the systematic errors, we reanalyzed the electron-antineutrino angular correlation (𝑎 coefficient) in free neutron decay inferred from the recoil energy spectrum of the protons which are detected in 4⁢𝜋 by the aSPECT spectrometer. With 𝑎=−0.104 02⁢(82), the new value differs only marginally from the one published in 2020. Here, the experiment also has sensitivity to 𝑏, the Fierz interference term. From a correlated (𝑏,𝑎) fit to the proton recoil spectrum, we derive a limit of 𝑏 =−0.0098⁢(193) which translates into a somewhat improved 90% confidence interval region of −0.041 ≤ 𝑏 ≤ 0.022 on this hypothetical term. Tighter constraints on 𝑏 can be set from a combined analysis of the PERKEO III (𝛽 asymmetry) and aSPECT measurement which suggests a finite value of 𝑏 with 𝑏(𝑐)=−0.0181 ± 0.0065 deviating by 2.82⁢𝜎 from the standard model.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
2583794
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 132; ISSN 1079-7114; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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