Test of Parity-Conserving Time-Reversal Invariance Using Polarized Neutrons and Nuclear Spin Aligned Holmium

P. R. Huffman; N. R. Roberson; W. S. Wilburn; C. R. Gould; D. G. Haase; C. D. Keith; B. W. Raichle; M. L. Seely; J. R. Walston

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.4681

Test of Parity-Conserving Time-Reversal Invariance Using Polarized Neutrons and Nuclear Spin Aligned Holmium

P. R. Huffman, N. R. Roberson, W. S. Wilburn, C. R. Gould, D. G. Haase, C. D. Keith, B. W. Raichle, M. L. Seely, and J. R. Walston

Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 4681 – Published 17 June 1996

Abstract

A test of parity-conserving, time-reversal noninvariance (PC TRNI) has been performed in 5.9 MeV polarized neutron transmission through nuclear spin aligned holmium. The experiment searches for the T-violating fivefold correlation via a double modulation technique—flipping the neutron spin while rotating the alignment axis of the holmium. Relative cross sections for spin-up and spin-down neutrons are found to be equal to within $1.2 \times 10^{- 5}$ (80% confidence). This is a 2 orders of magnitude improvement compared to traditional detailed balance studies of time reversal, and represents the most precise test of PC TRNI in a dynamical process.

Received 12 January 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.4681

Authors & Affiliations

P. R. Huffman, N. R. Roberson, and W. S. Wilburn

Physics Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0305
and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308

C. R. Gould, D. G. Haase, C. D. Keith, B. W. Raichle, M. L. Seely, and J. R. Walston

Physics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8202
and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308