Title

Spin Flip Loss in Magnetic Storage of Ultracold Neutrons

Authors

A. Steyerl, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Charles Kaufman, University of Rhode IslandFollow
S. S. Malik, University of Rhode IslandFollow
A. M. Desai, University of Rhode Island
Gerhard Müller, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

7-4-2014

Abstract

We analyze the depolarization of ultracold neutrons confined in a magnetic field configuration similar to those used in existing or proposed magneto-gravitational storage experiments aiming at a precise measurement of the neutron lifetime. We use an approximate quantum mechanical analysis such as pioneered by Walstrom et al [Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 599, 82 (2009)]. Our analysis is not restricted to purely vertical modes of neutron motion. The lateral motion is shown to cause the predominant depolarization loss in a magnetic storage trap.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

A. Steyerl, C. Kaufman, G. Müller, S. S. Malik, and A. M. Desai. Spin-flip loss in magnetic storage of ultracold neutrons. In Next Generation Experiments to Measure the Neutron Lifetime, S. J. Seestrom (Ed.), pp. 75-86, World Scientific Publishing (2014). [arXiv:1307.5207]

Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/1307.5207