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A Backscatter-Suppressed Beta Spectrometer for Neutron Decay Studies

F. E. Wietfeldt·C. Trull·R. Anderman·F. B. Bateman·M. S. Dewey·A. Komives·A. K. Thompson·S. Balashov·Yu. Mostovoy
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Abstract

We describe a beta electron spectrometer for use in an upcoming experiment that will measure the beta-antineutrino correlation coefficient (a-coefficient) in neutron beta decay. Electron energy is measured by a thick plastic scintillator detector. A conical array of plastic scintillator veto detectors is used to suppress events where the electron backscattered. A Monte Carlo simulation of this device in the configuration of the a-coefficient experiment is presented. The design, construction, and testing of a full-scale prototype device is described. We discuss the performance of this spectrometer with respect to its suitability for the experiment.

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F. E. Wietfeldt, C. Trull, R. Anderman, F. B. Bateman, M. S. Dewey, A. Komives, A. K. Thompson, S. Balashov, Yu. Mostovoy. 2004-01-21. A Backscatter-Suppressed Beta Spectrometer for Neutron Decay Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2004.08.123

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