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A. P. Serebrov

Publications and source records attributed to A. P. Serebrov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Neutron lifetime measurements with the big gravitational trap for ultracold neutrons

Neutron lifetime is one of the most important physical constants which determines parameters of the weak interaction and predictions of primordial nucleosynthesis theory. There remains the unsolved problem of a 3.9σ discrepancy between measurements of this lifetime using neutrons in beams and those with stored neutrons (UCN). In our experiment we measure the lifetime of neutrons trapped by Earth's gravity in an open-topped vessel. Two configurations of the trap geometry are used to change the mean frequency of UCN collisions with the surfaces - this is achieved by plunging an additional surface into the trap without breaking the vacuum. The trap walls are coated with a hydrogen-less fluorine-containing polymer to reduce losses of UCN. The stability of this coating to multiple thermal cycles between 80 K and 300 K was tested. At 80 K, the probability of UCN loss due to collisions with the trap walls is just 1.5% of the probability of beta-decay. The free neutron lifetime is determined by extrapolation to an infinitely large trap with zero collision frequency. The result of these measurements is 881.5 +/- 0.7_stat +/- 0.6_syst s which is consistent with the conventional value of 880.2 +/- 1.0 s presented by the Particle Data Group. Future prospects for this experiment are in further cooling to 10 K which will lead to an improved accuracy of measurement. In conclusion we present an analysis of currently-available data on various measurements of the neutron lifetime.

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Experiment NEUTRINO-4 Search for Sterile Neutrino

In order to carry out research in the field of possible existence of a sterile neutrino the laboratory based on SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. A moveable detector, protected with passive shielding from outer radiation, can be set at distance range 6 to 12 meters from the reactor core. Measurements of antineutrino flux at such short distances from the reactor core are carried out with moveable detector for the first time. The main difficulties of the measurements caused by cosmic background and it heavily decreases the precision of measurements. We present the analysis of measurements at small distances together with the data obtained in measurements at long distances in order to obtain parameters of sterile neutrino.

physics.ins-det↗

Neutrino-4 experiment on search for sterile neutrino with multi-section model of detector

In order to carry out research in the field of possible existence of sterile neutrino the laboratory based on SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. The prototype of a multi-section neutrino detector with liquid scintillator volume of 350 l was installed in the middle of 2015. It is a moveable inside the passive shielding detector, which can be set at distance range from 6 to 11 meters from the reactor core. Measurements of antineutrino flux at such small distances from the reactor core carried out with movable detector for the first time. The measurements carried out with detector prototype demonstrated a possibility of measuring a reactor antineutrino flux in difficult conditions of cosmic background at Earth surface.

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Creation of a neutrino laboratory for search for sterile neutrino at SM-3 reactor

In connection with the question of possible existence of sterile neutrino the laboratory on the basis of SM-3 reactor was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. A prototype of a neutrino detector with scintillator volume of 400 l can be moved at the distance of 6-11 m from the reactor core. The measurements of background conditions have been made. It is shown that the main experimental problem is associated with cosmic radiation background. Test measurements of dependence of a reactor antineutrino flux on the distance from a reactor core have been made. The prospects of search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino at short distances are discussed.

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New measurements of neutron electric dipole moment with double chamber EDM spectrometer

The article presents results on neutron electric dipole moment measurements (EDM), made by ILL reactor using PNPI experimental installation. Double chamber magnetic resonance spectrometer with prolonged holding of ultra cold neutrons has been employed. The obtained results at 90% confidence level determine the upper limit for EDM neutron quantity equal to $|d_n| < 5.5 \cdot 10^{-26}$ e$ \cdot$cm.

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On possibility of realization NEUTRINO-4 experiment on search for oscillations of the reactor antineutrino into a sterile state

One has investigated possibility of performing NEUTRINO-4 experiment on search for reactor neutrino oscillations into a sterile state at research reactors. The simulated experiment has been conducted at 16 MW reactor WWR-M in PNPI with the purpose of implementing a full scale experiment with the help of 100 MW reactor SM-3 in RIAR. Background conditions for making such an experiment have been examined at both reactors. The conclusion has been made on possible implementation of a full scale experiment NEUTRINO-4 at the reactor SM-3 in RIAR.

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New measurements of neutron electric dipole moment

We report a new measurement of the neutron electric dipole moment with the PNPI EDM spectrometer using the ultracold neutron source PF2 at the research reactor of the ILL. Its first results can be interpreted as a limit on the neutron EDM of $|d_{\rm n}| < 5.5 \times 10^{-26} \rm{e} \cdot \rm{cm}$ (90% confidence level).

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Deficit of reactor antineutrinos at distances smaller than 100 m and inverse beta-decay

We analyse a change of a deficit of reactor antineutrinos at distances smaller than 100 m by changing the lifetime of the neutron from tau_n = 885.7 s to tau_n = 879.6 s, calculated for the axial coupling constants lambda = - 1.2694 and lambda = - 1.2750, respectively, in order to get a result corresponding the new world average value tau_n = 880.1(1.1) s. We calculate the angular distribution and cross section for the inverse beta-decay, taking into account the contributions of the "weak magnetism" and the neutron recoil to next-to-leading order in the large baryon mass expansion and the radiative corrections of order alpha/π~ 10^(-3), calculated to leading order in the large baryon mass expansion. We obtain an increase of a deficit of reactor antineutrinos in of about 0.734%.

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"Neutrino-4" experiment: preparations for search for sterile neutrino at 100 MW reactor SM-3 at 6-13 meters

There has been designed an experimental project "Neutrino-4" for 100 MW reactor SM-3 to test the hypothesis of the "reactor antineutrino anomaly". Advantages of the reactor SM-3 for such an experiment are low background conditions as well as small dimensions of a reactor core - 35x42x42 cm3. One has carried on the Monte-Carlo modeling of a position sensitive antineutrino detector consisting of 5 operation sections, which as a result of displacement, covers the distance from 6 to 13 meters from the reactor core. One has succeeded in obtaining an experimental area of sensitivity to oscillation parameters, which enables to verify the hypothesis of reactor antineutrino oscillations into a sterile state.

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Ultra cold neutron trap as a tool to search for dark matter with long-range radius of forces

The problem of possible application of an ultracold neutron (UCN) trap as a detector of dark matter particles with long-range radius of forces has been considered. Transmission of small recoil energy in scattering is a characteristic of long-range forces. The main advantage of the ultracold neutron technique lies in possibility of detecting recoil energy as small as $10^{-7}$ eV. Here are presented constraints on the interaction potential parameters: $U(r)=a r^{-1} e^{-r/λ}$ for dark matter particles and neutrons, as well as on the density value of long-range dark matter on the Earth. The possible mechanism of accumulation of long-range dark matter on the Earth surface is considered and the factor of density increase on the Earth surface is evaluated. The results of the first experiment on search of astronomical day variation of ultracold neutron storage time are under discussion.

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Dark Matter Accumulation near the Earth for the Long Range Forces case

The accumulation of dark matter near the Earth is considered. We analyze the case of long range interaction forces. Additional density of the dark matter at the Earth's surface is calculated. We show that this density exceeds the mean density of the dark matter in our galaxy by more then $10^5$ times for some values of dark matter particle mass. Accumulation of WIMP's near the Earth by the same mechanism is also analyzed.

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Search for long-range forces of a neutron and atoms with a trap of ultracold neutrons

A method of using a gravitational UCN spectrometer to search for long-range forces between neutrons and atoms is proposed. The constraints on the strength of long-range forces within the range of 10-10 - 10-4 cm can be obtained from the experiments on measurements of the total cross section of interaction of UCN with atoms of the noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr) and the data on the coherent neutron scattering length of the nucleus. The first result of such an analysis is presented. Further prospect of UCN method is discussed.

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New evaluation of neutron lifetime from UCN storage experiments and beam experiments

The analysis of experiments on measuring neutron lifetime has been made. The latest most accurate result of measuring neutron lifetime [Phys. Lett. B 605, 72 (2005)] 878.5 \pm 0.8 s differs from the world average value [Phys. Lett. B 667, 1 (2008)] 885.7 \pm 0.8 s by 6.5 standard deviations. In view of this both the analysis and the Monte Carlo simulation of experiments [Phys. Lett. B 483, 15 (2000)] and [Phys. Rev. Lett. 63, 593 (1989)] have been performed. Systematic errors about -6 s have been found in both experiments. The table of results of neutron lifetime measurements is given after corrections and additions have been made. A new world average value of neutron lifetime makes up 880.0 \pm 0.9 s. Here is also presented a separate analysis of experiments on measuring neutron lifetime with UCN and experiments on the beams. The average neutron lifetime for experiments with UCN is equal to 879.3(0.6) s, while for experiments on the beams it is equal to 889.1(2.9) s. The present difference of average values for both groups is (3.3 sigma) and needs consideration. The contribution of beam experiments into the world average value is not high, therefore it does not influence the above analysis. However, it is an independent problem to be solved. It seems desirable that the precision of beam experiments should be enhanced.

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Trap with ultracold neutrons as a detector of dark matter particles with long-range forces

The possibility of using a trap with ultracold neutrons as a detector of dark matter particles with long-range forces is considered. The basic advantage of the proposed method lies in possibility of detecting the recoil energy 10-7 eV. The restrictions on parameters of Yukawa type interaction potential between dark matter particles and a neutron are presented for different dark matter densities on the Earth. The assumption concerned with long-range interaction of dark matter particles and ordinary matter leads to a substantial enhancement of cross section at low energy. Consequently, there arises a possibility of capture and accumulation of dark matter in a gravitational field of the Earth. Rough estimation of accumulation of low-energy dark matter on the Earth is discussed. The first experimental restrictions for existence of dark matter with long-range forces on the Earth are presented.

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A New World Average Value for the Neutron Lifetime

The analysis of the data on measurements of the neutron lifetime is presented. A new most accurate result of the measurement of neutron lifetime [Phys. Lett. B 605 (2005) 72] 878.5 +/- 0.8 s differs from the world average value [Phys. Lett. B 667 (2008) 1] 885.7 +/- 0.8 s by 6.5 standard deviations. In this connection the analysis and Monte Carlo simulation of experiments [Phys. Lett. B 483 (2000) 15] and [Phys. Rev. Lett. 63 (1989) 593] is carried out. Systematic errors of about -6 s are found in each of the experiments. The summary table for the neutron lifetime measurements after corrections and additions is given. A new world average value for the neutron lifetime 879.9 +/- 0.9 s is presented.

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A Detailed Analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation of the Neutron Lifetime Experiment S. Arzumanov et al., Phys. Lett. B 483 (2000) 15

We performed a detailed analysis and the Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron lifetime experiment [S. Arzumanov et al., Phys. Lett. B 483 (2000) 15] because of the strong disagreement by 5.6 standard deviations between the results of this experiment and our experiment [A. Serebrov et al., Phys. Lett. B 605 (2005) 72]. We found a few effects which were not taken into account in the experiment [S. Arzumanov et al., Phys. Lett. B 483 (2000) 15]. The possible correction is -5.5 s with uncertainty of 2.4 s which comes from initial data knowledge. We assume that after taking into account this correction the result of work [S. Arzumanov et al., Phys. Lett. B 483 (2000) 15] for neutron lifetime 885.4 +/- 0.9stat +/- 0.4syst s could be corrected to 879.9 +/- 0.9stat +/- 2.4syst s.

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