Physics Commons^™

Towards Neutron Transformation Searches, Joshua L. Barrow

Doctoral Dissertations

To probe the origins of the baryon asymmetry, baryon number violation, the last unconfirmed Sakharov condition, must be definitively observed experimentally. Similarly, the nature of dark matter is currently unknown, and calls out for new candidates to be investigated. Each of these issues can be considered through the study of neutron transformations.

Some rare baryon number violating processes, such as neutron-antineutron transformations, are expected to probe baryogenesis. Here, I show progress on this discovery target through construction of more accurate Monte Carlo models, the design of future detectors, creation of more complete atmospheric neutrino background simulations, and use of automated …

Measurement Of The Parity Violating Asymmetry In Elastic Electron Scattering Off 208pb, Jonathan W. Wexler

Doctoral Dissertations

The Lead Radius Experiment (PREX) was carried out in order to provide a model independent measurement of the RMS radius √ < r² >of the neutron distribution in the ²⁰⁸Pb nucleus. The parity-violating scattering asymmetry for longitudinally polarized 1.06 GeV electrons from an unpolarized ²⁰⁸Pb target was measured at Q² = 0.00880 GeV². This measurement was performed by the PREX collaboration in Hall A at Jefferson Laboratory in Newport News, VA, between March and June, 2010. The electron detectors used in this measurement were designed and fabricated by University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Smith College. The resulting …