Detection System for Neutron $β$ Decay Correlations in the UCNB and Nab experiments
arXiv:1607.02656 · doi:10.1016/j.nima.2016.12.030
Abstract
We describe a detection system designed for precise measurements of angular correlations in neutron $β$ decay. The system is based on thick, large area, highly segmented silicon detectors developed in collaboration with Micron Semiconductor, Ltd. The prototype system meets specifications for $β$ electron detection with energy thresholds below 10 keV, energy resolution of $\sim$3 keV FWHM, and rise time of $\sim$50 ns with 19 of the 127 detector pixels instrumented. Using ultracold neutrons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, we have demonstrated the coincident detection of $β$ particles and recoil protons from neutron $β$ decay. The fully instrumented detection system will be implemented in the UCNB and Nab experiments, to determine the neutron $β$ decay parameters $B$, $a$, and $b$.
Copyright 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/