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arXiv · 1005.5034

Precision measurements of the $^{60}$Co $\beta$-asymmetry parameter in search for tensor currents in weak interactions

Abstract

The $\beta$-asymmetry parameter $\widetilde{A}$ for the Gamow-Teller decay of $^{60}$Co was measured by polarizing the radioactive nuclei with the brute force low-temperature nuclear-orientation method. The $^{60}$Co activity was cooled down to milliKelvin temperatures in a $^3$He-$^4$He dilution refrigerator in an external 13 T magnetic field. The $\beta$ particles were observed by a 500 ${\mu}m$ thick Si PIN diode operating at a temperature of about 10 K in a magnetic field of 0.6 T. Extensive GEANT4 Monte-Carlo simulations were performed to gain control over the systematic effects. Our result, $\widetilde{A} = -1.014(12)_{stat}(16)_{syst}$, is in agreement with the Standard-Model value of $-0.987(9)$, which includes recoil-order corrections that were addressed for the first time for this isotope. Further, it enables limits to be placed on possible tensor-type charged weak currents as well as other physics beyond the Standard Model.

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F. Wauters, I. S. Kraev, D. Zákoucký, M. Beck, M. Breitenfeldt, V. De Leebeeck, V. V. Golovko, V. Yu. Kozlov, T. Phalet, S. Roccia, G. Soti, M. Tandecki, I. S. Towner, E. Traykov, S. Van Gorp, N. Severijns. 2010-05-27. Precision measurements of the $^{60}$Co $\beta$-asymmetry parameter in search for tensor currents in weak interactions. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.82.055502

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