Kenji Mishima

Development of a neutron detector based on a position-sensitive photomultiplier

A neutron scintillation detector based on a position-sensitive photomultiplier has been developed for neutron spin echo and small angle neutron scattering measurements. This photomultiplier has good spatial resolution, less than 1 mm2. The detection efficiency of gamma ray background is very low for using a thin ZnS/6LiF scintillator. The effective area of this detector is around 60 cm2.

Low Energy Particle Detector Using a Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor

Precise measurement of neutron beta decay tests predictions of the Standard Model of electroweak interaction. The coefficient a of the antineutrino/electron angular correlation is determined by measuring the energy spectrum of the recoil protons generated in the neutron beta decay. A proton spectrometer required for this measurement demands high detection efficiency, high energy resolution and a large detection area. We have begun development of a transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter for use as a low energy particle detector. To realize the large detection area we have designed a pixelated TES array incorporating a parallel biasing scheme. Our TES device consists of 4-pixels using a Au/Ti/Au trilayer film adjusted to a superconducting transition temperature of Tc ~ 380 mK. This temperature is convenient for use in a 3He cryostat with a pulse tube refrigerator. The Au films improve thermal conductivity, thereby reducing position dependent effects and allow an increased detector area.

Search for deviations from the inverse square law of gravity at nm range using a pulsed neutron beam

We describe an experimental search for deviations from the inverse-square law of gravity at the nanometer length scale using neutron scattering from noble gases on a pulsed slow neutron beam line. By measuring the neutron momentum transfer (q) dependence of the differential cross section for xenon and helium and comparing to their well-known analytical forms, we place an upper bound on the strength of a new interaction as a function of interaction length λ which improves upon previous results in the region λ<0.1u2009u2009nm, and remains competitive in the larger-λ region. A pseudoexperimental simulation is developed for this experiment and its role in the data analysis is described. We conclude with plans for improving sensitivity in the larger-λ region.

Development of Longitudinal-Gradient Magnet for Time Focusing of Ultra-Cold Neutron With Anisotropic Inter-Pole

Ultra-cold neutron (UCN) is attractive for a search of the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM). It is crucial to store UCNs with high density in a bottle for nEDM measurement apparatus. To increase the density, time focusing technique can be useful, where slow neutrons are accelerated and fast neutrons are decelerated by using magnetic potential. This device is called “rebuncher.” The rebuncher consists of a gradient magnet, RF coil, and neutron guide. The magnet generates a field gradient of 3.5 T/m (from 1 T to 0.2 T within 24 cm) in the longitudinal direction. By using anisotropic inter-poles, the magnet is compact and keeps the gradient uniform. The fabricated magnet showed good performance as designed.