Ultracold Neutrons Ucn And Fundamental Physics With Slow Neutrons

Ultracold Neutrons is a guide to a fascinating topic. It describes how a simple new idea in experimental neutron physics has changed the landscape of what is often called 'fundamental physics.' Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are neutrons moving at the low speed of a bicycle rider. They were produced for the first time 50 years ago (in 1968) and are distinguished from ordinary neutrons with much higher energies by their ability to be confined in 'neutron bottles' for durations up to several hundred seconds. This is possible since they are reflected back and forth from the container walls many thousands of times with very little loss. As a result of these long observation times, their properties and interactions with the environment can be studied with superb precision.Directed towards a general readership, this book is an excellent introduction to a field of research that is not highly specialized but touches on many aspects of our physical world, classical as well as quantum mechanical.

Ultra-Cold Neutrons is a complete, self-contained introduction and review of the field of ultra-cold neutron (UCN) physics. Over the last two decades, developments in UCN technology include the storage of UCN in material and magnetic bottles for time periods limited only by the beta decay rate of the free neutron. This capability has opened up the possibility of a wide range of applications in the fields of both fundamental and condensed state physics. The book explores some of these applications, such as the search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron that constitutes the most sensitive test of time reversal invariance yet devised. The book is suitable as an introduction to the field for research students, as a useful compendium of results and techniques for researchers, and is of general interest to nonspecialists in other areas of physics such as neutron, atomic, and fundamental physics and neutron scattering.

Slow-moving, low-energy ultracold neutrons provide an important tool for investigations in physics. They can be kept in hermetically sealed vessels for up to 15 minutes before they decay, allowing researchers sufficient time to observe the action of very weak fields and yielding valuable insights into neutron properties. In addition to describing how these particles are produced, detected, and analyzed, this book provides coverage of improvements in the techniques of ultracold neutron science--with information on how physicists may increase storage times--and explores ways they can be used for fundamental and applied research. Areas of study reported on include the determination of an upper limit to the electric dipole moment of neutrons, improved measurements of decay time, and new approaches to diffraction and diffusion theory. Although the text avoids mathematical detail, this is covered in appendices at chapter ends. The material is intended for specialists in neutron physics.

"Ultra-Cold Neutrons is a complete, self-contained introduction and review of the field of ultra-cold neutron (UCN) physics. Over the last two decades, developments in UCN technology include the storage of UCN in material and magnetic bottles for time periods limited only by the beta decay rate of the free neutron. This capability has opened up the possibility of a wide range of applications in the fields of both fundamental and condensed state physics. The book explores some of these applications, such as the search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron that constitutes the most sensitive test of time reversal invariance yet devised.The book is suitable as an introduction to the field for research students, as a useful compendium of results and techniques for researchers, and is of general interest to nonspecialists in other areas of physics such as neutron, atomic, and fundamental physics and neutron scattering."--Provided by publisher.

Ultra-Cold Neutrons is a complete, self-contained introduction and review of the field of ultra-cold neutron (UCN) physics. Over the last two decades, developments in UCN technology include the storage of UCN in material and magnetic bottles for time periods limited only by the beta decay rate of the free neutron. This capability has opened up the possibility of a wide range of applications in the fields of both fundamental and condensed state physics. The book explores some of these applications, such as the search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron that constitutes the most sensitive test of time reversal invariance yet devised. The book is suitable as an introduction to the field for research students, as a useful compendium of results and techniques for researchers, and is of general interest to nonspecialists in other areas of physics such as neutron, atomic, and fundamental physics and neutron scattering.