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The PSI polarized ultracold neutron source: optimization and first test measurements

English title The PSI polarized ultracold neutron source: optimization and first test measurements
Applicant Kirch Klaus
Number 117696
Funding scheme Project funding
Research institution Paul Scherrer Institut
Institution of higher education Paul Scherrer Institute - PSI
Main discipline Particle Physics
Start/End 01.02.2008 - 31.10.2011
Approved amount 170'497.00
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Keywords (7)

ultracold neutron physics; polarization; ultracold neutrons; spallation neutron source; spinflippers; electric dipole moment of the neutron; neutron lifetime

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
At Paul Scherrer Institut we are building a new, high intensity source of ultracold neutrons (UCN) with the goal to do experiments for the study of fundamental properties of the neutron, e.g. its lifetime or its (potential) electric dipole moment. The outcome of these experiments may have far-reaching consequences for particle physics and cosmology. The project aims firstly at optimizing the polarization options of the source (design and test of a spinflipper, a superconducting polarizer, non-magnetic guides etc.). This includes the development of models to help in the design and the later interpretation of the test results. The main part is the characterization of the source with respect to the proton beam parameters and the main elements of the moderation and storage setup. It shall deliver the UCN beam parameters (like total intensity or flux, energy spectrum) as well as the background intensity as a function of the source operation parameters and is the crucial information for the operating staff and the experimentators.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
First observation of trapped high-field seeking ultracold neutron spin states
Daum M, Fierlinger P, Franke B, Geltenbort P, Goeltl L, Gutsmiedl E, Karch J, Kessler G, Kirch K, Koch HC, Kraft A, Lauer T, Lauss B, Pierre E, Pignol G, Reggiani D, Schmidt-Wellenburg P, Sobolev Y, Zechlau T, Zsigmond G (2011), First observation of trapped high-field seeking ultracold neutron spin states, in PHYSICS LETTERS B, 704(5), 456-460.
The Ultra-Cold Neutron Source at PSI
Göltl Leonard (2011), The Ultra-Cold Neutron Source at PSI, American Nuclear Society, Knoxville, TN.
An efficient gravitational spectrometer for ultracold neutrons
Geltenbort P, Goltl L, Henneck R, Horras M, Kirch K, Knecht A, Lauss B, Meier M, Straumann U, Zsigmond G (2010), An efficient gravitational spectrometer for ultracold neutrons, in NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND, 624(1), 168-172.
Cubic boron nitride: A new prospective material for ultracold neutron application
Sobolev Y, Lauer T, Borisov Y, Daum M, du Fresne N, Goltl L, Hampel G, Heil W, Knecht A, Keunecke M, Kratz JV, Lang T, Meister M, Plonka-Spehr C, Pokotilovski Y, Reichert P, Schmidt U, Krist T, Wiehl N, Zenner J (2010), Cubic boron nitride: A new prospective material for ultracold neutron application, in NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND, 614(3), 461-467.
A compact, large-diameter adiabatic spinflipper for ultracold neutrons
Geltenbort P, Goltl L, Henneck R, Kirch K, Knecht A, Kuzniak M, Lauss B, Lefort T, Mtchedlishvili A, Meier M, Negrazus M, Petzoldt G, Ruettimann P, Vrankovic V, Zsigmond G (2009), A compact, large-diameter adiabatic spinflipper for ultracold neutrons, in NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND, 608(1), 132-138.
Neutron radiation hardness of vacuum compatible two-component adhesives
Bertsch J, Goeltl L, Kirch K, Lauss B, Zubler R (2009), Neutron radiation hardness of vacuum compatible two-component adhesives, in NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND, 602(2), 552-556.

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
Annual Meeting of the Swiss Physical Society, Lausanne 2011 Talk given at a conference First Ultracold Neutrons at the new High-Intesity Source of the Paul Scherer Institute 17.06.2011 Lausanne, CH, Switzerland Kirch Klaus; Göltl Leonard;
AccApp Talk given at a conference The Ultra-Cold Neutron Source at PSI 05.04.2011 Knoxville, USA, United States of America Kirch Klaus; Göltl Leonard;
EDIT 2011 Poster PSI UCN 31.01.2011 CERN, Geneva, CH, Switzerland Göltl Leonard;
Annual Meeting of the Swiss Physical Society, Basel 2010 Talk given at a conference The PSI UCN Source 22.06.2010 Basel, CH, Switzerland Kirch Klaus; Göltl Leonard;
ICANS XIX Poster Instrumentation at the Paul Scherrer Institut's Ultra‐Cold Neutron Source 08.03.2010 Grindelwald, CH, Switzerland Göltl Leonard; Kirch Klaus; Zsigmond Geza;
CHIPP Winter School Poster PSI UCN source 17.01.2010 Ascona, CH, Switzerland Kirch Klaus; Göltl Leonard;
Annual Meeting of the Swiss Physical Society, Innsbruck 2009 Talk given at a conference UCN source at PSI 02.09.2009 Innsbruck, Switzerland Kirch Klaus; Göltl Leonard;


Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Talks/events/exhibitions Tag der offenen Tür -- PSI German-speaking Switzerland 2011

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
163413 Improving ultracold neutron intensities for frontier precision experiments in fundamental physics 01.11.2015 Project funding
137664 Pushing the high intensity frontier for ultracold neutrons 01.11.2011 Project funding

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