Initial results from the NPDGamma Experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source

The NPDGamma experiment aims to measure the parity-odd correlation between the neutron spin and the direction of the emitted photon in neutron-proton capture. A parity violating asymmetry (to be measured to $10^{?8}$) from this process can be directly related to the strength of the hadronic weak interaction between nucleons, specifically the $\Delta$I = 1 contribution. As part of the commissioning runs on the Fundamental Neutron Physics beam line at the Spallation Neutron Source at ORNL, the gamma-ray asymmetries from the parity-violating capture of cold neutrons on $^{35}$Cl and $^{27}$Al were measured, to check for systematic effects, false asymmetries, and backgrounds. Early in 2012, the parahydrogen target for the production run of NPDGamma was commissioned. Preliminary results for the commissioning measurements with $^{35}$Cl and $^{27}$Al will be presented. Finally, intermediate results for the hydrogen asymmetry will be shown and discussed.