Possible explanation for the neutron lifetime puzzle

Abstract: The discrepancy in the measured value of neutron lifetime has significance in big-bang nucleosynthesis and testing the accuracy of the standard model. A discrepancy of approximately 10 s still persists between the average value of the neutron lifetime obtained by storing ultracold neutrons in traps and the most accurate method of using neutrons in beams. This discrepancy is thought to be due to an unknown systematic uncertainty in these experiments or the existence of new physics. This article discusses a possible explanation for this discrepancy in neutron lifetime. This neutron lifetime anomaly is likely attributed to an increase in the decay probability caused by multiple elastic collisions between neutrons and between neutrons and trap walls.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Possible explanation for the neutron lifetime puzzle ; volume:23 ; number:1 ; year:2025 ; extent:4 ; Open physics ; 23, Heft 1 (2025) (gesamt 4)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Desai, Ashish M.

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/phys-2024-0113
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2501280549038.995080795432
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:33 AM CEST