A proposed search for new light bosons using a table-top neutron Ramsey apparatus

TL;DR

This paper proposes a tabletop neutron Ramsey experiment to search for new light bosons mediating forces between neutrons, aiming to set limits on their coupling constants through spin-velocity interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup using Ramsey's technique to detect pseudo-magnetic effects caused by hypothetical light bosons.

Findings

Potential to set new limits on light boson coupling constants

Utilizes Ramsey's separated oscillating fields technique

Applicable for bosons with millimeter-range Compton wavelengths

Abstract

If a new light boson existed, it would mediate a new force between ordinary fermions, like neutrons. In general such a new force is described by the Compton wavelength $\lambda_c$ of the associated boson and a set of dimensionless coupling constants. For light boson masses of about $10^-4$ eV, $\lambda_c$ is of the order millimeters. Here, we propose a table-top particle physics experiment which provides the possibility to set limits on the strength of the coupling constants of light bosons with spin-velocity coupling. It utilises Ramsey's technique of separated oscillating fields to measure the pseudo-magnetic effect on neutron spins passing by a massive sample.