Monte Carlo simulation of quasi-elastic scattering and above-barrier neutrons in the neutron lifetime experiment MAMBO I

Motivated by the strong disagreement of a recent result for the neutron lifetime with the previous world average value we report results of a Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron lifetime experiment MAMBO I, which was carried out some 20 years ago. In addition to all experimental parameters and procedures known to us, the analysis included quasi-elastic neutron scattering on the surface of liquid fomblin oil wall coatings of the UCN storage vessel, and above-barrier neutrons. The original analysis, leading to the published result of 887.6 ± 3 s, did not take into account these effects. For an exemplary set of model parameters we find a negative correction of 6.0 seconds, which demonstrates that these hitherto neglected effects may be very important also in the analysis of other neutron lifetime experiments using UCN storage vessels with fomblin oil coating close to room temperature.