Limits on tensor currents from $^{8}$Li $\beta$ decay

COFFEE_KLATCH · Invited

Abstract

Precision measurements of angular correlations from nuclear $\beta$ decay provide information on possible exotic couplings in the weak interaction. In the $\beta$ decay of $^{8}$Li, the delayed-$\alpha$ breakup of the $^{8}$Be$^{*}$ daughter provides enhanced sensitivity to possible tensor couplings. We report a limit on the ratio of the tensor to axial-vector coupling from the $^{8}$Li $\beta-\alpha-\nu$ correlation experiment performed using the $\beta$-decay Paul Trap (BPT) at Argonne National Laboratory. We will discuss our continued work on angular correlation measurements as well as new techniques being developed to overcome current experimental limitations.

Authors

  • Nicholas Scielzo

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory