Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: We analyze the depolarization of ultracold neutrons confined in a magnetic field configuration similar to those used in existing or proposed magnetogravitational storage experiments aiming at a precise measurement of the neutron lifetime. We use an extension of the semiclassical Majorana approach as well as an approximate quantum mechanical analysis, both pioneered by Walstrom et al. [Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 599, 82 (2009)]. In contrast with this previous work we do not restrict the analysis to purely vertical modes of neutron motion. The lateral motion is shown to cause the predominant depolarization loss in a magnetic storage trap. The system studied also allowed us to estimate the depolarization loss suffered by ultracold neutrons totally reflected on a nonmagnetic mirror immersed in a magnetic field. This problem is of preeminent importance in polarized neutron decay studies such as the measurement of the asymmetry parameter $A$ using ultracold neutrons, and it may limit the efficiency of ultracold neutron polarizers based on passage through a high magnetic field.
Source: Physical Review C
Authors: A. Steyerl, C. Kaufman, G. Müller, S. S. Malik, A. M. Desai
Institution: University of Rhode Island
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2011701252