Systematic Effects and Detection Efficiencies in the BL2 In-Beam Neutron Lifetime Experiment

Neutron beta decay is the simplest example of nuclear beta decay and is important to our understanding of weak processes, the unitarity of the CKM matrix in the Standard Model, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models, solar physics, and the detection of reactor antineutrinos. The BL2 In-beam neutron lifetime experiment seeks to address a current discrepancy between previous beam-based neutron lifetime experiments and recent ultra-cold neutron bottle neutron lifetime experiments through careful study of possible systematic effects made possible by apparatus upgrades, proton and neutron detection improvements and new analysis techniques. This talk will discuss key systematic effects, including the results of new systematic studies regarding the detection efficiencies of protons and molecular hydrogen. An update on the status and outlook of the BL2 experiment will also be presented.