New Concept for a Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Search using a Pulsed Beam

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel neutron EDM search method using pulsed neutron beams from next-generation spallation sources, promising significant sensitivity improvements over past beam experiments and competitiveness with UCN-based methods.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental concept utilizing pulsed beams and high-flux sources to enhance neutron EDM measurement sensitivity.

Findings

Sensitivity can be improved by several orders of magnitude.

Method can compete with ultracold neutron experiments.

Utilizes high peak flux and time structure of pulsed sources.

Abstract

A concept to search for a neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) is presented, which employs a pulsed neutron beam instead of the nowadays established use of storable ultracold neutrons (UCN). The technique takes advantage of the high peak flux and the time structure of a next-generation pulsed spallation source like the planned European Spallation Source. It is demonstrated that the sensitivity for a nEDM can be improved by several orders of magnitude compared to the best beam experiments performed in the 1970's and can compete with the sensitivity of UCN experiments.