Experimental limit for the charge of the free neutron

J. Baumann; R. Gähler; J. Kalus; W. Mampe

doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.37.3107

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Experimental limit for the charge of the free neutron

Experimentalphysik I, Universität Bayreuth, D-8580 Bayreuth, Federal Republic of Germany

Physik-Department E21 der Technischen Universität München, D-8580 Garching, Federal Republic of Germany

Experimentalphysik I, Universität Bayreuth, D-8580 Bayreuth, Federal Republic of Germany

Institut Laue-Langevin, 156X, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex, France

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Phys. Rev. D 37, 3107 – Published 1 June, 1988

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.37.3107

Abstract

In agreement with the commonly accepted neutrality of the free neutron, its charge $q_{n}$ was found to be (-0.4±1.1)× $10^{- 21}$ electron charges. This value lowers the present upper limit by more than one order of magnitude. In the experiment a beam of cold neutrons with wavelengths between 1.2 and about 3 nm was passed through a strong electric field over a length of 9 m and a beam deflection with respect to the applied field direction was searched for. In order to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus, an achromatic neutron optical imaging system consisting of curved mirrors and multislits was used.

References (20)

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[c1] A. I. Akhiezer and M. P. Rekalo, Usp. Fiz. Nauk. 114, 487 (1975) [Sov. Phys. Usp. 17, 864 (1975)].

[c2] G. Feinberg and M. Goldhaber, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 45, 1301 (1959).

[c3] S. L. Glashow, in Proceedings of Neutrino 79, edited by A. Haatuft and C. Jarlskog (Bergen, Norway, 1979), Vol. I, p. 518.

[c4] G. Costa and F. Zwirner, Riv. Nuovo Cimento 9, 43 (1986).

[c5] R. P. Feynman, Lectures on Physics (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1973), Vol. II.

[c6] E. Comay, Phys. Rev. D 33, 2492 (1986).

[c7] W. J. Marciano and I. J. Muzinich, Phys. Rev. Lett. 50, 1035 (1983).

[c8] T. M. Yan, Phys. Rev. D 28, 1496 (1983).

[c9] R. Jengo, Phys. Lett. 145B, 353 (1984).

[c10] G. Galucci and G. Vedovato, Z. Phys. C 27, 377 (1983).

[c11] R. Jengo, Nucl. Phys. B252, 217 (1985).

[c12] G. Galucci and G. Vedovato, Z. Phys. C 29, 111 (1985).

[c13] B. W. Petley, The Fundamental Physical Constants and the Frontier of Measurement (Hilger, London, 1985).

[c14] C. G. Shull, K. W. Billmann and F. A. Wedgwood, Phys. Rev. 153, 1415 (1967).

[c15] R. Gähler, J. Kalus, W. Mampe, Phys. Rev. D 25, 2887 (1982).

[c16] R. Gähler, J. Kalus, and W. Mampe, in Precision Measurements and Fundamental Constants II, edited by B. N. Taylor and W. D. Phillips (Natl. Bur. Standards, Spec. Publ. 677, 1984).

[c17] J. Kalus and R. Gähler,, J. Phys. (Paris) Colloq. 45, C3-17 (1984).

[c18] J. Baumann, R. Gähler, J. Kalus and W. Mampe, J. Phys. E 20, 448 (1987).

[c19] H. Rauch, in Neutron Interferometry, edited by K. Bonse and H. Rauch (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1979), p. 161.

[c20] J. Schwinger, Phys. Rev. 69, 681 (1948).

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Experimental limit for the charge of the free neutron

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