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Accurate Measurement of the Beta-Asymmetry in Neutron Decay Rules out Dark Decay Mode

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Abstract

The question of the nature of dark matter is one of the major challenges of elementary particle physics. Not surprisingly, the recent suggestion of a dark decay channel as a solution to persisting discrepancies in neutron lifetime measurements has initiated substantial research activity. We discuss the accurate measurement of the parity violating β-asymmetry using Perkeo III. The result is about five times more precise than the current world average and resolves a long-standing discrepancy. Based on this, we largely rule out the dark decay mode interpretation. We derive a new world average of the weak axial coupling and obtain a competitive value of the first element of the quark mixing matrix Vud from neutron decay.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Priority Program SPP 1491 of the German Research Foundation (DFG) (contract no. MA 4944/1-2) and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (contract no. P 26 636-N20).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physik-Department ENE, Technische Universität München, 85739, Garching, James-Franck-Str. 1, Germany

    B. Märkisch & H. Saul

  2. Technische Universität Wien, Atominstitut, 1020, Vienna, Stadionallee 2,, Austria

    H. Abele

  3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 226, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    D. Dubbers

  4. Institut Laue-Langevin, Cedex 9, CS 20156 38042, Grenoble, 71 avenue des Martyrs, France

    T. Soldner

Authors
  1. B. Märkisch
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  2. H. Abele
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  3. D. Dubbers
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  4. H. Saul
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  5. T. Soldner
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Correspondence to B. Märkisch.

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Märkisch, B., Abele, H., Dubbers, D. et al. Accurate Measurement of the Beta-Asymmetry in Neutron Decay Rules out Dark Decay Mode. J. Surf. Investig. 14 (Suppl 1), S140–S143 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1027451020070319

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