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  • Detecting the Radiative Dec...
    Fisher, B M; Wietfeldt, F E; Dewey, M S; Gentile, T R; Nico, J S; Thompson, A K; Coakley, K J; Beise, E J; Kiriluk, K G; Byrne, J

    Journal of research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 07/2005, Volume: 110, Issue: 4
    Journal Article

    Beta decay of the neutron into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino is occasionally accompanied by the emission of a photon. Despite decades of detailed experimental studies of neutron beta-decay, this rare branch of a fundamental weak decay has never been observed. An experiment to study the radiative beta-decay of the neutron is currently being developed for the NG-6 fundamental physics endstation at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). The experiment will make use of the existing apparatus for the NIST proton-trap lifetime experiment, which can provide substantial background reduction by providing an electron-proton coincidence trigger. Tests and design of a detector for gamma-rays in the 10 keV to 200 keV range are under development. The need for a large solid-angle gamma-ray detector that can operate in a strong magnetic field and at low temperature has led us to consider scintillating crystals in conjunction with avalanche photodiodes. The motivation and experimental technique will be discussed.