St. Kistryn

Evidence of the Coulomb-force effects in the cross-sections of the deuteron-proton breakup at 130 MeV

High precision cross-section data of the deuteron–proton breakup reaction at 130 MeV deuteron energy are compared with the theoretical predictions obtained with a coupled-channel extension of the CD Bonn potential with virtual Δ-isobar excitation, without and with inclusion of the long-range Coulomb force. The Coulomb effect is studied on the basis of the cross-section data set, extended in this work to about 1500 data points by including breakup geometries characterized by small polar angles of the two protons. The experimental data clearly prefer predictions obtained with the Coulomb interaction included. The strongest effects are observed in regions in which the relative energy of the two protons is the smallest.

Test of Lorentz invariance with spin precession of ultracold neutrons

A clock comparison experiment, analyzing the ratio of spin precession frequencies of stored ultracold neutrons and 199Hg atoms, is reported. No daily variation of this ratio could be found, from which is set an upper limit on the Lorentz invariance violating cosmic anisotropy field b perpendicular < 2 x 10(-20) eV (95% C.L.). This is the first limit for the free neutron. This result is also interpreted as a direct limit on the gravitational dipole moment of the neutron |gn| < 0.3 eV/c2 m from a spin-dependent interaction with the Sun. Analyzing the gravitational interaction with the Earth, based on previous data, yields a more stringent limit |gn| < 3 x 10(-4) eV/c2 m.

Elastic proton-deuteron scattering at intermediate energies

Observables in elastic proton-deuteron scattering are sensitive probes of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and three-nucleon force effects. The present experimental database for this reaction is large, but contains a large discrepancy between data sets for the differential cross section taken at 135 MeV/nucleon by two experimental research groups. This article reviews the background of this problem and presents new data taken at Kernfysisch Versneller Instituute (KVI). Differential cross sections and analyzing powers for the

Search for time-reversal violation in the beta decay of polarized 8Li nuclei.

{}^{2}\mathrm{H}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},d)p

Measurement of the transverse polarization of electrons emitted in free neutron decay

and

Search for cold-fusion events

{}^{1}\mathrm{H}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d},d)p

Deuteron?proton breakup at medium energies

reactions at 135 MeV/nucleon and 65 MeV/nucleon, respectively, have been measured. The differential cross-section data differ significantly from previous measurements and consistently follow the energy dependence as expected from an interpolation of published data taken over a large range at intermediate energies.

Spin-isospin selectivity in three-nucleon forces

The transverse polarization of electrons emitted in the beta decay of polarized 8Li nuclei has been measured. For the time-reversal violating triple correlation parameter we find R=(0.9+/-2.2)x10(-3). This result is in agreement with the standard model and yields improved constraints on exotic tensor contributions to the weak interaction. Combined with other experimental results and using a model for the coupling constants, a new limit for the mass of a possible scalar leptoquark, m(LQ)>560 GeV/c(2) (90% C.L.), is obtained.

Magnetic spectrometer Big Karl for studies of meson production reactions

Both components of the transverse polarization of electrons (sigmaT1, sigmaT2) emitted in the beta-decay of polarized, free neutrons have been measured. The T-odd, P-odd correlation coefficient quantifying sigmaT2, perpendicular to the neutron polarization and electron momentum, was found to be R=0.008+/-0.015+/-0.005. This value is consistent with time reversal invariance and significantly improves limits on the relative strength of imaginary scalar couplings in the weak interaction. The value obtained for the correlation coefficient associated with sigmaT1, N=0.056+/-0.011+/-0.005, agrees with the Standard Model expectation, providing an important sensitivity test of the experimental setup.

Cross section and analyzing power A y in the breakup reaction H 2 ( p →, pp ) n at 65 MeV: Collinearity configurations

Abstract In a recent electrochemical investigation M. Fleischmann and S. Pons [1] found some excess heat, which — according to the authors — was due to the cold fusion of deuterium nuclei. Using a very similar experimental arrangement we looked for the characteristic neutrons and gamma rays from the dd fusion reaction. None were found. In addition, LaNi5, a substance which is known to absorb a very large amount of hydrogen, was loaded with deuterium gas. Again no nuclear fusion processes could be observed.