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APS » Journals » Phys. Rev. Lett. » Volume 76 » Issue 25
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 4681–4684 (1996)

Test of Parity-Conserving Time-Reversal Invariance Using Polarized Neutrons and Nuclear Spin Aligned Holmium

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P. R. Huffman, N. R. Roberson, and W. S. Wilburn
Physics Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0305
and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308

C. R. Gould, D. G. Haase, C. D. Keith, B. W. Raichle, M. L. Seely, and J. R. Walston
Physics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8202
and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0308

Received 12 January 1996; published in the issue dated 17 June 1996

A test of parity-conserving, time-reversal noninvariance (PC TRNI) has been performed in 5.9 MeV polarized neutron transmission through nuclear spin aligned holmium. The experiment searches for the T-violating fivefold correlation via a double modulation technique—flipping the neutron spin while rotating the alignment axis of the holmium. Relative cross sections for spin-up and spin-down neutrons are found to be equal to within 1.2×10-5 (80% confidence). This is a 2 orders of magnitude improvement compared to traditional detailed balance studies of time reversal, and represents the most precise test of PC TRNI in a dynamical process.

© 1996 The American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.4681
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.4681
PACS:
24.80.+y, 24.70.+s, 25.40.Dn, 28.20.Cz
 
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