[en] We study the expected performance of the proposed fundamental neutron physics beamline at the upgraded High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A curved neutron guide transmits the neutrons from the new cold source into a guide hall. A novel feature of the proposed guide is the use of vertical focusing to increase the flux for experiments that require relatively small cross-section beams. We use the simulation code IB to model straight, multi-channel curved, and tapered guides of various M. values. Guide performance for the current NPDGamma and proposed abBA experiments is evaluated

[en] The NPDγ experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is dedicated to measure with high precision the parity violating asymmetry in the γ emission after capture of spin polarized cold neutrons in para-hydrogen. The measurement will determine unambiguously the weak pion-nucleon-nucleon (π NN) coupling constant (line integral)_π^l

[en] High precision fundamental neutron physics experiments have been proposed for the intense pulsed spallation neutron beams at JSNS, LANSCE, and SNS to test the standard model and search for new physics. Certain systematic effects in some of these experiments have to be controlled at the few ppb level. The NPD Gamma experiment, a search for the small parity-violating γ-ray asymmetry A_Y in polarized cold neutron capture on parahydrogen, is one example. For the NPD Gamma experiment we developed a radio-frequency resonant spin rotator to reverse the neutron polarization in a 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm pulsed cold neutron beam with high efficiency over a broad cold neutron energy range. The effect of the spin reversal by the rotator on the neutron beam phase space is compared qualitatively to rf neutron spin flippers based on adiabatic fast passage. We discuss the design of the spin rotator and describe two types of transmission-based neutron spin-flip efficiency measurements where the neutron beam was both polarized and analyzed by optically polarized ³He neutron spin filters. The efficiency of the spin rotator was measured at LANSCE to be 98.8 ± 0.5% for neutron energies from 3 to 20 meV over the full phase space of the beam. Systematic effects that the rf spin rotator introduces to the NPD Gamma experiment are considered

[en] The NPDGamma experiment will measure with a high precision, 5x10-9, the small parity-violating gamma-ray asymmetry, Aγ, in polarized cold neutron capture in a para-hydrogen target to determine unambiguously the weak pion-nucleon coupling constant H_π¹. For the experiment the collaboration has built a new high-flux pulsed cold neutron beam line at LANSCE. In 2004, we first commissioned the beam line and then the apparatus with exception of the hydrogen target. The sensitivity of the apparatus was tested by measuring Aγ on Al, B, Cl, Cu, and In. The Cl has a well-known large parity-violating gamma-ray asymmetry that was used to verify the performance of the apparatus. The other nuclei that were studied during the commissioning run are present in materials used for construction of the experiment and are, therefore, possible sources of the false asymmetries since backgrounds are expected to be about 10% of the signal from the neutron capture on hydrogen. We measured Aγ≅0 for these nuclei except for Cl. We report the status of the experiment and preliminary results of the 2004 commissioning run

[en] Monte Carlo simulations are being performed to design and characterize the neutron optics components for the two fundamental neutron physics beamlines at the Spallation Neutron Source. Optimization of the cold beamline includes characterization of the guides and benders, the neutron transmission through the 0.89 nm monochromator, and the expected performance of the four time-of-flight choppers. The locations and opening angles of the choppers have been studied using a simple spreadsheet-based analysis that was developed for other SNS chopper instruments. The spreadsheet parameters are then optimized using Monte Carlo techniques to obtain the results presented in this paper. Optimization of the 0.89 nm beamline includes characterizing the double crystal monochromator and the downstream guides. The simulations continue to be refined as components are ordered and their exact size and performance specifications are determined

[en] We describe the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline (FnPB) facility located at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The FnPB was designed for the conduct of experiments that investigate scientific issues in nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology using a pulsed slow neutron beam. We present a detailed description of the design philosophy, beamline components, and measured fluxes of the polychromatic and monochromatic beams

[en] A new pulsed cold neutron beam line, flight path 12, has been commissioned at LANSCE by the NPDGamma collaboration. The beam line was designed for fundamental nuclear physics experiments. We present the measured brightness of the unique backscattering moderator viewed by the flight path 12 neutron guide and report results for guide performance measurements. The peak neutron flux out of the guide is dN/dE= 2.4x105 neutrons/meV/cm2/s/μA at 2 meV neutron energy

[en] The NPDγ experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is dedicated to measure with high precision the parity violating asymmetry in the γ emission after capture of spin polarized cold neutrons in para-hydrogen. The measurement will determine unambiguously the weak pion-nucleon-nucleon (πNN) coupling constant f_π¹

[en] The NPDGamma collaboration is performing a measurement of the very small parity-violating asymmetry in the angular distribution of the 2.2 MeV γ-rays from the capture of polarized cold neutrons on protons (A_γ). The estimated size of A_γ is 5×10^-8, and the measured asymmetry is proportional to the neutron polarization upon capture. Since the interaction of polarized neutrons with one of the two hydrogen molecular states (orthohydrogen) can lead to neutron spin-flip scattering, it is essential that the hydrogen in the target is mostly in the molecular state that will not depolarize the neutrons (≥99.8% parahydrogen). For that purpose, in the first stage of the NPDGamma experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), we operated a 16-l liquid hydrogen target, which was filled in two different occasions. The parahydrogen fraction in the target was accurately determined in situ by relative neutron transmission measurements. The result of these measurements indicate that the fraction of parahydrogen in equilibrium was 0.9998±0.0002 in the first data taking run and 0.9956±0.0002 in the second. We describe the parahydrogen monitor system, relevant aspects of the hydrogen target, and the procedure to determine the fraction of parahydrogen in the target. Also assuming thermal equilibrium of the target, we extract the scattering cross-section for neutrons on parahydrogen.

[en] A 16 l liquid parahydrogen target has been developed for a measurement of the parity-violating γ-asymmetry in the capture of polarized cold neutrons on protons in the n^→+p→d+γ reaction by the NPDGamma collaboration. The target system was carefully designed to meet the stringent requirements on systematic effects for the experiment and also to satisfy hydrogen safety requirements. The target was designed to preserve the neutron polarization during neutron scattering on liquid hydrogen (LH₂), optimize the statistical sensitivity to the n^→+p→d+γ reaction, minimize backgrounds coming from neutron interaction with the beam windows of the target cryostat, minimize LH₂ density fluctuations which can introduce extra noise in the gamma asymmetry signal, and control systematic effects. The target incorporates two mechanical refrigerators, two ortho-para convertors, an aluminum cryostat, an aluminum target vessel shielded with ⁶Li-rich plastic, a hydrogen fill/vent line with a passive recirculation loop to establish and maintain the equilibrium ortho-para ratio, a hydrogen relief system coupled to a vent stack, a gas handling system, and an alarm and interlock system. Low Z, nonmagnetic materials were used for the target vessel and cryostat. Pressure and temperature sensors monitored the thermodynamic state of the target. Relative neutron transmission measurements were used to monitor the parahydrogen fraction of the target. The target was thoroughly tested and successfully operated during the first phase of the NPDGamma experiment conducted at the FP12 beam line at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). An upgraded version of the target system will be used in the next stage of the experiment, which will be performed at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beam (FnPB) line of the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.