Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime Using a Gravitational Trap and a Low-Temperature Fomblin Coating

J Res Natl Inst Stand Technol. 2005 Aug 1;110(4):333-8. doi: 10.6028/jres.110.049. Print 2005 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

We present a new value for the neutron lifetime of 878.5 ± 0.7stat. ± 0.3syst. This result differs from the world average value by 6.5 standard deviations and by 5.6 standard deviations from the previous most precise result. However, this new value for the neutron lifetime together with a β-asymmetry in neutron decay, A 0, of -0.1189(7) is in a good agreement with the Standard Model.

Keywords: neutron lifetime; ultracold neutrons.