The Puzzle of Neutron Lifetime
Stephan Paul (Physik Department, TU-M\"unchen)
TL;DR
This paper reviews the importance of neutron lifetime measurements, discusses current discrepancies between experimental results, analyzes measurement techniques and uncertainties, and surveys ongoing efforts to resolve the puzzle.
Contribution
It provides a comprehensive overview of measurement techniques, systematic uncertainties, and upcoming experiments addressing the neutron lifetime discrepancy.
Findings
Significant discrepancy between the two most precise measurements
Analysis of systematic uncertainties affecting measurements
Overview of ongoing and proposed experiments
Abstract
In this paper we review the role of the neutron lifetime and discuss the present status of measurements. In view of the large discrepancy observed by the two most precise individual measurements so far we describe the different techniques and point out principle strengths and weaknesses. In particular we discuss the estimation of systematic uncertainties and its correlation to the statistical ones. In order to solve the present puzzle, many new experiments are either ongoing or being proposed. An overview on their possible contribution to this field will be given.
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