M. Blatnik
A5026994610- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Cyclone Separators and Fluid Dynamics
- Superconducting Materials and Applications
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Fusion materials and technologies
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies
- Tribology and Lubrication Engineering
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Magnetic Bearings and Levitation Dynamics
- Laser Design and Applications
- Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Computational Physics and Python Applications
California Institute of Technology
2018-2025
Los Alamos National Laboratory
2016-2025
Cleveland State University
2014-2016
Stony Brook University
2015
Brookhaven National Laboratory
2013
We report an improved measurement of the free neutron lifetime τ_{n} using UCNτ apparatus at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. count a total approximately 38×10^{6} surviving ultracold neutrons (UCNs) after storing in UCNτ's magnetogravitational trap over two data acquisition campaigns 2017 and 2018. extract from three blinded, independent analyses by both pairing long short storage time runs to find set replicate measurements performing global likelihood fit all while self-consistently...
A neutron $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay asymmetry measurement using polarized ultracold neutrons (UCN) determines the correlation between spin of and momentum decay electron. The authors extract ratio weak axial-vector to vector couplings with reduced uncertainties. This new result from first this UCN contributes a benchmark for lattice QCD calculations possibility improved precision on CKM matrix element ${V}_{u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay.
Fornal and Grinstein recently proposed that the discrepancy between two different methods of neutron lifetime measurements, beam bottle methods, can be explained by a previously unobserved dark matter decay mode, $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X+\ensuremath{\gamma}$. We perform search for this mode over allowed range energies monoenergetic $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray $X$ to matter. A Compton-suppressed high-purity germanium detector is used identify rays from in nickel-phosphorous-coated...
A cryogenic apparatus is described that enables a new experiment, nEDM@SNS, with major improvement in sensitivity compared to the existing limit search for neutron Electric Dipole Moment (EDM). This uses superfluid 4He produce high density of Ultra-Cold Neutrons (UCN) which are contained suitably coated pair measurement cells. The be operated at Spallation Neutron Source Oak Ridge National Laboratory, polarized 3He from an Atomic Beam injected into and transported cells where it serves as...
It has been proposed recently that a previously unobserved neutron decay branch to dark matter particle ($\ensuremath{\chi}$) could account for the discrepancy in lifetime observed experiments use two different measurement techniques. One of possible final states discussed includes single $\ensuremath{\chi}$ along with an ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ pair. We data from UCNA (Ultracold Neutron Asymmetry) experiment set limits on this channel. Coincident electron-like events are detected...
The Ultracold Neutron Asymmetry (UCNA) experiment was designed to measure the $\beta$-decay asymmetry parameter, $A_0$, for free neutron decay. In experiment, polarized ultracold neutrons are transported into a decay trap, and their electrons detected with $\approx 4\pi$ acceptance two detector packages which provide position energy reconstruction. also has sensitivity $b_{n}$, Fierz interference term in rate. this work, we determine $b_{n}$ from dependence of $A_0$ using data taken during...
Cerenkov technology is often the optimal choice for particle identification in high energy collision applications. Typically, most challenging regime at pseudorapidity (forward) where must perform well laboratory momenta. For upcoming Electron Ion Collider (EIC), physics goals require hadron ($\pi$, K, p) up to $\sim$~50 GeV/c. In this region Ring-Imaging viable solution.\newline The speed of light a radiator medium inversely proportional refractive index. Hence, PID reaching out momenta...
A study of the dead layer thickness and quenching factor a plastic scintillator for use in ultracold neutron (UCN) experiments is described. Alpha spectroscopy was used to determine thin surface be 630 ± 110 nm. The relative light outputs from decay 241Am Compton scattering electrons were extract Birks’ law coefficient, yielding kB value 0.087 0.003 mm/MeV, consistent with some previous reports other polystyrene-based scintillators. results these measurements are incorporated into simulation...
The past two decades have yielded several new measurements and reanalyses of older the neutron lifetime. These led to a 4.4 standard deviation discrepancy between most precise decay rate producing protons in cold beams lifetime measured storage experiments. Measurements using different techniques are important for investigating whether there unidentified systematic effects any measurements. In this paper we report measurement Los Alamos asymmetric magneto-gravitational trap where surviving...
A new boron-coated CCD camera is described for direct detection of ultracold neutrons (UCN) through the capture reactions $^{10}$B (n,$\alpha$0$\gamma$)$^7$Li (6%) and $^{10}$B(n,$\alpha$1$\gamma$)$^7$Li (94%). The experiments, which extend earlier works using a ZnS:Ag scintillator, are based on detections neutron-capture byproducts in silicon. high position resolution, energy resolution particle ID performance scientific allows observation identification all $\alpha$, $^7$Li $\gamma$...
The neutron is the simplest nuclear system that can be used to probe structure of weak interaction and search for physics beyond standard model. Measurements lifetime β-decay correlation coefficients with precisions 0.02% 0.1%, respectively, would allow stringent constraints on new physics. UCNτ experiment uses an asymmetric magneto-gravitational UCN trap in situ counting surviving neutrons measure lifetime, τ n = 877.7s (0.7s) stat (+0.4/−0.2s) sys . We discuss recent result from UCNτ,...
A classic electrostatic induction machine, Cavallo's multiplier, is suggested for in situ production of very high voltage cryogenic environments. The device suitable generating a large field under conditions small load current. Operation the Cavallo multiplier analyzed, with quantitative description terms mutual capacitances between electrodes system. demonstration apparatus was constructed, and measured voltages are compared to predictions based on simplicity makes it amenable analysis...
Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment sensitivity, both terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement scheme Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. unique properties combining polarized ultracold neutrons, 3 He, superfluid 4 He be exploited provide a sensitivity ∼ 10 −28 e · cm. Our cryogenic apparatus deploy two small (3 L) measurement...
The UCNA experiment was designed to measure the neutron $\beta$-asymmetry parameter $A_0$ using polarized ultracold neutrons (UCN). UCN produced via downscattering in solid deuterium were transport through a 7 T magnetic field, and then directed 1 solenoidal electron spectrometer, where decay electrons detected detector packages located on two ends of spectrometer. A value for extracted from asymmetry numbers counts packages. We summarize all results experiment, obtained during run periods...
The upcoming UCNProBe experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory will measure the beta decay rate of free neutrons with different systematic uncertainties than previous beam-based neutron lifetime experiments. We have tested a new 10B-coated Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (YAP:Ce) scintillator and present its properties. advantages YAP:Ce include high Fermi potential, which reduces probability for upscattering ultracold (UCN), short time, increases sensitivity counting rates. Birks’...
Positron Emission Tomography is a powerful imaging technique used for humans and animals that can also be to study plant biology. However, since many of the structures found on plants (e.g., leaves) are very thin, large portion positrons emitted from PET isotopes escape before annihilation, leading low efficiency quantification inaccuracies. In this study, gas tracking detector was measure escaping radiotracer which has ability reconstruct three dimensional tracks form an image emitting...
Fundamental neutron physics, combining precision measurements and theory, probes particle physics at short range with reach well beyond the highest energies probed by LHC. Significant US efforts are underway that will probe BSM CP violation orders of magnitude more sensitivity, provide new data on Cabibbo anomaly, precisely measure lifetime decay, explore hadronic parity violation. World-leading results from Neutron Physics community since last Long Range Plan, include world's most precise...
In January, 2018, Fornal and Grinstein proposed that a previously unobserved neutron decay branch to dark matter particle (χ) could account for the discrepancy in lifetime observed two different types of experiments. One possible final states discussed includes single χ along with an e + − pair. We use data from UCNA (Ultracold Neutron Asymmetry) experiment set limits on this channel. Coincident electron-like events are detected ∼ 4π acceptance using pair detectors observe volume stored...
Ultracold neutron (UCN) projection imaging is demonstrated using a boron-coated back-illuminated CCD camera and the Los Alamos UCN source. Each recorded through capture reactions with 10B. By direct detection at least one of byproducts α, 7Li γ (electron recoils) derived from reduction thermal noise scientific camera, signal-to-noise improvement on order 104 over indirect has been achieved. Sub-pixel position resolution few microns confirmed for individual events. Projection test objects...