TY - JOUR
T1 - The puzzle of neutron lifetime
AU - Paul, Stephan
PY - 2009/12/1
Y1 - 2009/12/1
N2 - In this paper we review the role of the neutron lifetime and discuss the present status of measurements. In view of the large discrepancy observed by the two most precise individual measurements so far we describe the different techniques and point out the principle strengths and weaknesses. In particular we discuss the estimation of systematic uncertainties and its correlation to the statistical ones. In order to solve the present puzzle, many new experiments are either ongoing or being proposed. An overview on their possible contribution to this field will be given.
AB - In this paper we review the role of the neutron lifetime and discuss the present status of measurements. In view of the large discrepancy observed by the two most precise individual measurements so far we describe the different techniques and point out the principle strengths and weaknesses. In particular we discuss the estimation of systematic uncertainties and its correlation to the statistical ones. In order to solve the present puzzle, many new experiments are either ongoing or being proposed. An overview on their possible contribution to this field will be given.
KW - CKM matrix
KW - Neutron lifetime
KW - Neutron storage
KW - Primordial nucleosynthesis
KW - UCN
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=71549162033&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2009.07.095
DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2009.07.095
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:71549162033
SN - 0168-9002
VL - 611
SP - 157
EP - 166
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
IS - 2-3
ER -