Multi-Wire 3D Gas Tracker for Searching New Physics in Nuclear Beta Decay

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel 3D gas tracker designed for high-precision measurements in nuclear beta decay, aiming to detect subtle effects that could indicate physics beyond the Standard Model.

Contribution

The paper presents the development and characterization of a new low-pressure gas tracker for detailed beta particle tracking in low-energy experiments.

Findings

Successful characterization of the gas tracker

Potential application in neutron decay experiments

First use in high-precision beta spectrum measurement

Abstract

Searches of new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) performed at low energy frontiers are complementary to experiments carried out at high energy colliders. Among the methods for testing the SM and beyond at low energies are the precision spectrum shape and correlation coefficient measurements in nuclear and neutron beta decay. In order to study tiny effects in beta spectrum shape, a special spectrometer was built. It consists of a 3D low pressure gas tracker (drift chamber with hexagonal cells, signal readout at both wire ends) and plastic scintillators for triggering data acquisition and registration of the beta particle energy. The results of the characterization process indicate the possibility of using such a gas tracker in a range of experiments with low energy electrons where beta particle tracking with minimal kinematics deterioration is beneficial. Application of this technique is also planned for neutron decay correlation experiments. In the paper, the first application of this tracker in a high-precision beta spectrum shape study is discussed. The measurement technique, commissioning results, and the future outlook are presented.