Neutron Lifetime Puzzle

Session

Future Measurements and Experimental Strategies II

13 Sept 2025, 15:30

WHGA/001 - Auditorium (PSI)

2. UCNProBe a beam-type experiment using ultracold neutrons

Martin Krivos (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

13/09/2025, 15:30

invited

UCNProBe is an upcoming experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory designed to measure the lifetime of a free neutron, τₙ. Currently, there is a significant discrepancy of about 10 seconds (4.5 sigma) between the two primary methods used for this measurement. One approach involves using a cold neutron beam to detect the charged products of neutron beta decay. The other relies on ultracold...

8. The path to first measurements with the superconducting magnetic storage "PENeLOPE"

Moritz Gundel (TUM)

13/09/2025, 15:50

oral

Over the past decades we have designed and constructed a superconducting magnetic trap for ultra cold neutrons (PENeLOPE). With the large storage volume of about 550 liters as well as the design allowing for real time detection of decay protons, we aim at a high precision measurement with unprecedented systematic and statistical uncertainties. The system was constructed and set up at the...

12. The BL3 Neutron Lifetime Experiment

Shannon Hoogerheide (National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST))

invited

The goal of the BL3 Beam Neutron Lifetime Experiment is to improve the precision of beam-based neutron lifetime experiments to the 0.3 s level while performing a thorough evaluation of potential systematic effects at the same level to help resolve the neutron lifetime puzzle. This experiment will utilize an all new, larger apparatus with a larger proton trap and detector; an improved neutron...