

Type of Document Dissertation Author Mammei, Russell Rene Author's Email Address rrmammei@gmail.com URN etd-08182010-112705 Title Thin Films for the Transport of Polarized Ultracold Neutrons for Fundamental Symmetry Study Degree PhD Department Physics Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Vogelaar, Robert Bruce Committee Chair Heremans, Jean J. Committee Member Khodaparast, Giti A. Committee Member Pitt, Mark L. Committee Member Keywords
- Neutron Beta Decay
- Polarized Ultracold Neutrons
- Standard Model Tests
- Diamond-Like Carbon
- Polarized Neutron Guides
- Pulsed Laser Deposition
- Ebeam Evaporation
- Electropolishing
- Mechanical Polishing
- Surface Roughness
Date of Defense 2010-08-11 Availability unrestricted Abstract The use of ultracold neutrons (UCN) to study fundamental parameters such as the neutron lifetime and decay correlations in polarized neutron beta decay are poised to make significant contributions to our understand of the Standard Model and its extensions. To this end, the UCNA experiment is pursuing a precision measurement (0.2%) of the angular correlation between the neutron spin and the direction of emission of the electron in polarized neutron decay (the ``A'' asymmetry). The UCNA experiment makes use of the spallation-driven solid deuterium (SD2) UCN source at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The UCN leave the source and are 100% polarized by passing through a strong magnetic field before their decay is observed by a very sensitive electron spectrometer.
UCN guides facilitate the transfer of UCN from the source to the spectrometer. Common guide materials include stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and quartz. Often a thin film is applied to these components to increase their ability to transport/bottle and preserve the polarization of UCN. In the region of the SD2 UCN source, nickel-58 films are applied, whereas once the UCN are polarized, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are employed. This dissertation covers the application, process developments, and characterization of these coatings. In addition a study concerning the surface finish resulting from the mechanical polishing and electropolishing of the guides that make up the UCNA beamline is presented.
Files
Filename Size Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)
28.8 Modem 56K Modem ISDN (64 Kb) ISDN (128 Kb) Higher-speed Access Mammei_RR_D_2010.pdf 57.26 Mb 04:25:05 02:16:20 01:59:17 00:59:38 00:05:05 Mammei_RR_D_2010_Copywrite.pdf 2.94 Mb 00:13:37 00:07:00 00:06:07 00:03:03 00:00:15
If you have questions or technical problems, please Contact DLA.