2009/02/28 by S. Paul, Stephan Paul · 59 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Computer science #Field (mathematics) #Mathematics #Neutron #Nuclear Physics and Applications #Nuclear physics #Physics #Point (geometry) #Psychology #Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics #Statistical physics #Statistics #Strengths and weaknesses #Systematic error #hep-ex #nucl-ex
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.nima.2009.07.095
published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment 611(2-3), 157-166 (Elsevier BV) · 10 pages, 19 figures, Proceedings of the International Workshop on Particle Physics with Slow Neutrons
arxiv created 2009/03/06 · openalex publication_date 2009/08/12 · arxiv updated 2014/11/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
In this paper we review the role of the neutron lifetime and discuss the present status of measurements. In view of the large discrepancy observed by the two most precise individual measurements so far we describe the different techniques and point out principle strengths and weaknesses. In particular we discuss the estimation of systematic uncertainties and its correlation to the statistical ones. In order to solve the present puzzle, many new experiments are either ongoing or being proposed. An overview on their possible contribution to this field will be given.