neutron electric dipole moment; polarization analysis; ultracold neutrons; Monte Carlo simulations
Burri F., Fertl M., Feusi P., Henneck R., Kirch K., Lauss B., Ruetimann P., Schmidt-Wellenburg P., Schnabel A., Voigt J., Zenner J., Zsigmond G. (2014), Copper coated carbon fiber reinforced plastics for high and ultra high vacuum applications, in
VACUUM, 101, 212-216.
Afach S., Bison G., Bodek K., Burri F., Chowdhuri Z., Daum M., Fertl M., Franke B., Grujic Z., Helaine V., Henneck R., Kasprzak M., Kirch K., Koch H. -C., Kozela A., Krempel J., Lauss B., Lefort T., Lemiere Y., Meier M., Naviliat-Cuncic O., Piegsa F. M., Pignol G., Plonka-Spehr C., Prashanth P. N. (2014), Dynamic stabilization of the magnetic field surrounding the neutron electric dipole moment spectrometer at the Paul Scherrer Institute, in
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, 116(8), 84510.
Chowdhuri Z., Fertl M., Horras M., Kirch K., Krempel J., Lauss B., Mtchedlishvili A., Rebreyend D., Roccia S., Schmidt-Wellenburg P., Zsigmond G. (2014), Experimental study of Hg-199 spin anti-relaxation coatings, in
APPLIED PHYSICS B-LASERS AND OPTICS, 115(2), 257-262.
Goeltl L., Chowdhuri Z., Fertl M., Gray F., Henneck R., Kirch K., Lauss B., Lefort T., Mtchedlishvili A., Schmidt-Wellenburg P., Zsigmond G. (2013), An endoscopic detector for ultracold neutrons, in
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL A, 49(1), 9.
Searches for a permanent neutron Electric Dipole Moment (nEDM) with sensitivities better than 10^-26 ecm are considered to be top priority by the particle physics community, since they could reveal new sources of CP violation as predicted by theoretical models beyond the Standard Model. A new improved nEDM measurement is very timely because it can complement results expected from other projects, e.g. concerning SUSY predictions, such as the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider. The importance of seeking a non-zero nEDM is reflected by the existence of at least four competing collaborations in Europe and overseas.An improved nEDM experiment needs much higher neutron statistics, and our project takes place at the newly commissioned ultracold neutron (UCN) source at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). The improved control of systematic effects, matching the foreseen higher statistical sensitivity is addressed by new advances in magnetometry and in the magnetic field control. Our international collaboration involving 14 European research institutes and universities aims in a first step (2012-2014) at a sensitivity improved by more than a factor of five over the present best limit, 2.9x10^-26 ecm (90% C.L.), either improving the limit to 5x10^-27 ecm (95% C.L.) or discovering a non-zero nEDM with 5sigma confidence down to 1.3x10^-26 ecm. Goal of this follow-up proposal is - now that the commissioning of the PSI UCN source and of the upgraded nEDM apparatus has been recently completed - to concentrate on a regular data taking and data reduction project phase, with emphasis on a precise control and determination of systematic uncertainties. We here ask for funding of a PhD position and a postdoc position for two years. Both will be members of the PSI UCN-Physics group and will play a crucial role in the success and the timely realization of the nEDM project. Besides key roles in data taking and data analysis (ideally the Postdoc will have experience in high-precision particle physics analysis and leadership skills to coordinate nEDM data-analysis efforts) it is planned to continue two important hardware-developments: One connected to the crucial mercury magnetometer and the other one to the simultaneous spin detection of UCN after the Ramsey cycle. The postdoctoral fellow will continue our engagement in the simultaneous spin analysis detector especially with a new diamond coated UCN vessel, its complex mechanical design and its implementation in the experiment. The PhD student will continue the development of the new laser read-out mercury co-magnetometer for improved sensitivity and in order to diminish light-shift, as an important systematic effect. It will be tested and potentially run in the current nEDM experiment and optimized for its use in the next step. The academic supervisor for the PhD student will be Prof. Dr. Klaus Kirch, ETH Zürich.