Space-based measurement of the neutron lifetime using data from the neutron spectrometer on NASA's MESSENGER mission

Wilson, Jack T.; Lawrence, David J.; Peplowski, Patrick N.; Eke, Vincent R.; Kegerreis, Jacob A.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023316

Title: Space-based measurement of the neutron lifetime using data from the neutron spectrometer on NASA's MESSENGER mission

Journal Article · 11 June 2020 · Physical Review Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023316 · OSTI ID:1633010

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The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab., Laurel, MD (United States)
Durham Univ. (United Kingdom)

We establish the feasibility of measuring the neutron lifetime via an alternative, space-based class of methods, which use neutrons generated by galactic cosmic ray spallation of planets surfaces and atmospheres. Free neutrons decay via the weak interaction with a mean lifetime of around 880 s. This lifetime constrains the unitarity of the CKM matrix and is a key parameter for studies of Big-Bang nucleosynthesis. However, current laboratory measurements, using two independent approaches, differ by over 4σ. Using data acquired in 2007 and 2008 during flybys of Venus and Mercury by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft, which was not designed to make this measurement, we estimate the neutron lifetime to be 780 ± 60_stat ± 70_syst s, thereby demonstrating the viability of this new approach.

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Research Organization:: Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)

Contributing Organization:: Durham University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0019343

OSTI ID:: 1633010

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1638217; OSTI ID: 1700504

Journal Information:: Physical Review Research, Vol. 2, Issue 2; ISSN 2643-1564

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Space-based measurement of the neutron lifetime using data from the neutron spectrometer on NASA's MESSENGER mission

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