Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Study Of Cell Charging Effects For The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Experiment At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Mark Broering

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

The neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) collaboration at the Spallation Neutron Source plans to use ultra-cold neutrons in superfluid helium to improve the nEDM limit by about two orders of magnitude. In this apparatus, neutrons are stored in poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, cells located in a strong, stable electric field. This electric field is produced by high voltage electrodes located outside of the neutron cells. Several sources generate charged particles inside the neutron cells. The electric field pulls these charges farther apart, attracting each to the oppositely charged electrode. As the charges build up on the cells walls, they create an …