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arXiv · 1310.3206

First Test of Lorentz Invariance in the Weak Decay of Polarized Nuclei

S. E. Müller·E. A. Dijck·H. Bekker·J. E. van den Berg·O. Böll·S. Hoekstra·K. Jungmann·C. Meinema·J. P. Noordmans·M. Nuñez Portela·C. J. G. Onderwater·C. Pijpker·A. P. P. van der Poel·B. Santra·A. Sytema·R. G. E. Timmermans·O. O. Versolato·L. Willmann·H. W. Wilschut·K. Yai
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Abstract

A new test of Lorentz invariance in the weak interactions has been made by searching for variations in the decay rate of spin-polarized 20Na nuclei. This test is unique to Gamow-Teller transitions, as was shown in the framework of a recently developed theory that assumes a Lorentz symmetry breaking background field of tensor nature. The nuclear spins were polarized in the up and down direction, putting a limit on the amplitude of sidereal variations of the form |(\Gamma_{up} - \Gamma_{down})| / (\Gamma_{up} + \Gamma_{down}) < 3 * 10^{-3}. This measurement shows a possible route toward a more detailed testing of Lorentz symmetry in weak interactions.

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S. E. Müller, E. A. Dijck, H. Bekker, J. E. van den Berg, O. Böll, S. Hoekstra, K. Jungmann, C. Meinema, J. P. Noordmans, M. Nuñez Portela, C. J. G. Onderwater, C. Pijpker, A. P. P. van der Poel, B. Santra, A. Sytema, R. G. E. Timmermans, O. O. Versolato, L. Willmann, H. W. Wilschut, K. Yai. 2013-10-11. First Test of Lorentz Invariance in the Weak Decay of Polarized Nuclei. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.88.071901

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