Emission of γ-quanta,electrons, and positrons upon the decay of <Superscript>12</Superscript>N and <Superscript>12</Superscript>B produced in characteristic targets

The emission of γ-quanta, electrons, and positrons upon the decay of ¹²N and ¹²B produced in characteristic targets is calculated within radiation–matter interaction models generated using the GEANT and MCNP simulation software.     

Search for low-energy upscattering of ultracold neutrons from a beryllium surface

We present results of a search for anomalous low-energy upscattering of ultracold neutrons from a beryllium surface. This upscattering is considered one for the possible reasons for UCN “disappearance” from very cold beryllium bottles, as observed in experiments. The indium foil activation method was used to measure a very low intensity flux of upscattered UCN. The (15–300) m/s velocity range of upscattered UCN is ruled out by these measurements at a confidence level of 90%. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 141–148 (January 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.     

First production of ultracold neutrons with a solid deuterium source at the pulsed reactor TRIGA Mainz⋆

The production rates of ultracold neutrons (UCN) with a solid deuterium converter have been measured at the pulsed reactor TRIGA Mainz. Exposed to a thermal neutron fluence of n·cm^-2·pulse^-1, the number of detected very cold and ultracold neutrons ranges up to 200 000 at 7mol of solid deuterium (sD₂) in combination with a pre-moderator (mesitylene). About 50% of the measured neutrons can be assigned to UCN with energies E of where V _F(sD ₂) = 105 neV and V _F(guide) = 190 neV are the Fermi potentials of the sD₂ converter and our stainless steel neutron guides, respectively. Thermal cycling of solid deuterium, which was frozen out from the gas phase, considerably improved the UCN yield, in particular at higher amounts of sD₂.     

Neutron lifetime and density of states of fluoropolymers at low temperatures

Present status of the measurements of the neutron lifetime is shortly reviewed. We report the inelastic neutron scattering measurement of the density of vibrational states G(ω) of two fluoropolymers, which are promising coating materials for the storage of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) in closed volumes covered with polymer film. From determined G(ω), we calculate the expected UCN loss coefficients.     

Constraints on strongly coupled chameleon fields from the experimental test of the weak equivalence principle for the neutron

The chameleon scalar field is considered as a possible cause of accelerated expansion of the Universe. The chameleon field induces an interaction potential between particle and massive body. Previous experiments with falling cold neutrons intended to measure the neutron coherent scattering lengths and verification of the weak equivalence principle for the neutron are used to constrain the parameters characterizing the strength of the scalar chameleon fields.     

Magnetic nanoparticles for high-sensitivity detection on nucleic acids via superconducting-quantum-interference-device-based immunomagnetic reduction assay

In this work, we investigate the feasibility of detecting quantitatively DNA molecules utilizing the technology named after the immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assay. Magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a phosphate buffer saline solution were bio-functionalized with probing single-strand DNA. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) ac magnetosusceptometer was employed to detect IMR signals related to the concentration of the target DNA. The results reveal that use of IMR assay had merits such as a high convenience level, e.g. wash-free processes and high sensitivity, down to pM, for DNA detection.     

Neutron experiments to search for new spin-dependent interactions

The consideration is presented of possible neutron experiments to search for new short-range spin-dependent forces. The spin-dependent nucleon-nucleon interaction between neutron and nuclei may cause different effects: phase shift of a neutron wave in neutron interferometers of different kind, in particular of the Lloyd mirror configuration, neutron spin rotation in the pseudo-magnetic field, and transverse deflection of polarized neutron beam by a slab of substance. Estimates of sensitivity of these experiments are performed.     

On the depolarization of ultracold neutrons in traps

The method of pulse duration control is proposed for intense molecular beams. The method is based on the shortening of a primary molecular-beam pulse through the formation of a pressure shock ahead of a solid surface through which the beam is passed. The method was used to obtain intense SF₆, H₂, He, SF₆/H₂ (1/10), and SF₆/He (1/10) molecular beams with a pulse duration of ≤10?15 μs and a spatial length of ≤1?2 cm.     

Cold neutron energy dependent production of ultracold neutrons in solid deuterium

A measurement of the production of ultracold neutrons from velocity-selected cold neutrons on gaseous and solid deuterium targets is reported. The expected energy dependence for two-particle collisions with well defined neutron and Maxwell-Boltzmann distributed molecular velocities is found for the gas target. The solid target data agree in shape with the phonon density-of-states curve and provide strong evidence for the phonon model including multiphonon excitations.