A proposed search for new light bosons using a table-top neutron Ramsey apparatus

Abstract

If a new light boson existed, it would mediate a new force between ordinary fermions, like neutrons. In general such a new force is described by the Compton wavelength $λ_c$ of the associated boson and a set of dimensionless coupling constants. For light boson masses of about $10^-4$ eV, $λ_c$ is of the order millimeters. Here, we propose a table-top particle physics experiment which provides the possibility to set limits on the strength of the coupling constants of light bosons with spin-velocity coupling. It utilises Ramsey's technique of separated oscillating fields to measure the pseudo-magnetic effect on neutron spins passing by a massive sample.

proceedings of the ECNS 2011 conference, published in Jour of Phys. Conf. Series