Measuring the electric dipole moment of the neutron: The cryoEDM experiment
Proceedings of Science EPS-HEP 2009 376
Authors:
CA Baker, SN Balashov, V Francis, K Green, MGD van der Grinten, PS Iaydjiev, SN Ivanov, A Khazov, MAH Tucker, DL Wark, A Davidson, JR Grozier, M Hardiman, PG Harris, JR Karamath, K Katsika, JM Pendlebury, SJM Peeters, DB Shiers, PN Smith, CM Townsley, I Wardell, C Clarke, S Henry, H Kraus, M McCann, P Geltenbort, H Yoshiki
Abstract:
The cryoEDM experiment at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble will measure the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron with unparalleled precision. A neutron EDM arises due to CP violation. The cryoEDM experiment is sensitive to levels of CP violation predicted by many “beyond the standard model” theories and the result will therefore constrain or support these
theories. The current limit to the neutron EDM stands at d_n<2.9x 10^-26 e cm as measured with
a room temperature experiment. By operating in superfluid helium below 0.9 K and collecting
high densities of ultra cold neutrons, the cryoEDM experiment will improve on the existing limit or measure an EDM. High precision magnetometry is essential to reduce the systematic errors in the cryoEDM experiment originating from changes in the magnetic environment. We present the cryoEDM apparatus and technologies.
