Open AccessSearch for radiative beta-decay of the free neutron
Author(s) -
J. Byrne,
R. U. Khafizov,
YA Mostovoi,
O Rozhnov,
В. А. Соловей,
M. Beck,
В. Козлов,
N. Severijns
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of research of the national institute of standards and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.202
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 2165-7254
pISSN - 1044-677X
DOI - 10.6028/jres.110.063
Subject(s) - scintillator , physics , nuclear physics , recoil , neutron , branching fraction , radiative transfer , detector , atomic physics , neutron detection , optics
Results of the first experiment to search for the radiative decay mode of the free neutron are reported. The γ-spectrum was studied in the energy region from 35 keV to 100 keV in six Cs(Tl) scintillators, each set at an angle of 35° to, and shielded from, a central plastic scintillator electron detector. Triple coincidences were recorded with recoil protons detected in a micro-channel plate. A limit for the branching ratio BR < 6.9 × 10(-3) (90 % confidence level) was obtained, which is greater that the theoretical prediction by not more than a few tenths of a percent.