Benjamin Schroeder

Bio: Benjamin Schroeder is an academic researcher from Texas A&M University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Penning trap & Ion trap. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 7 citations.

TAMUTRAP facility: Penning trap facility for weak interaction studies

Abstract: In the low-energy regime, precision measurements in nuclear β −decay continue to be a sensitive tool to search for new physics beyond the standard model (SM). The primary goal of the Texas A&M University Penning trap facility (TAMUTRAP) is to improve the limits on non-SM processes in the weak interaction. In particular, scalar currents, by measuring the β − ν angular correlation parameter (aβν), for T = 2, super-allowed β −delayed proton emitters. The precise measurement of energy Doppler shift of the proton following β+ −decay is sensitive to β − ν angular correlation coefficient, which is unity (aβν= 1) for pure Fermi transition in the absence of scalar currents. The experiments will be performed in a unique large bore cylindrical Penning trap with an inner radius of 90 mm, which is larger than any existing Penning trap across the world. The TAMUTRAP facility has been commissioned off-line and has demonstrated the ability to perform high precision mass measurements. We describe here the facility overview and summarize the current status towards the first measurement of β − ν angular correlation for T = 2, beta delayed proton emitters using a large bore cylindrical Penning trap with closed end caps.

Ion-trap application: Fundamental weak interaction studies using ion traps

Abstract: Charged particle traps have been playing an important role in exploring the fundamental properties of nature and contribute significantly to the development of new concepts in science. They provide a gentle confinement of stable and radioactive ions within a small volume and provide ideal conditions to perform high precision experiments. Precision experiments using traps relate to the low energy region and complement ultra-high energy experiments as performed in collision experiments. Using ion Penning traps, it is possible to perform accurate mass measurements at a level of below one ppb. Ion traps are also used for weak interaction studies, radioactive ion beam manipulation as, for example, retardation, accumulation, cooling, beam cleaning, and bunching. Recently, the Texas A&M University Penning trap facility (TAMUTRAP) was commissioned and will be used to search for possible scalar currents, which if found, would be an indication of physics beyond the standard model (SM).Charged particle traps have been playing an important role in exploring the fundamental properties of nature and contribute significantly to the development of new concepts in science. They provide a gentle confinement of stable and radioactive ions within a small volume and provide ideal conditions to perform high precision experiments. Precision experiments using traps relate to the low energy region and complement ultra-high energy experiments as performed in collision experiments. Using ion Penning traps, it is possible to perform accurate mass measurements at a level of below one ppb. Ion traps are also used for weak interaction studies, radioactive ion beam manipulation as, for example, retardation, accumulation, cooling, beam cleaning, and bunching. Recently, the Texas A&M University Penning trap facility (TAMUTRAP) was commissioned and will be used to search for possible scalar currents, which if found, would be an indication of physics beyond the standard model (SM).

A Direct Determination of the Proton-Electron Mass Ratio

Abstract: The cyclotron frequencies of free protons and electrons in a magnetic field of 5.81 Tesla with superimposed electrostatic quadrupole field have been measured. The increase of energy connected with a transition at cyclotron frequency is detected by the measurement of the time of flight through an inhomogeneous magnetic field. From the ratio of the measured cyclotron frequencies of both particles the proton electron mass ratio is deduced. The resultm p /m e =1,836.1527(11) agrees within the limits of error (0.6 ppm) with the value of the indirect determination.

Simultaneous Measurements of the Beta Neutrino Angular Correlation in $^{32}$Ar Pure Fermi and Pure Gamow-Teller Transitions using Beta-Proton Coincidences

Abstract: We report first time measurements of the beta-neutrino angular correlation based on the kinetic energy shift of protons emitted in parallel or anti-parallel directions with respect to the positron in the beta decay of $^{32}$Ar. This proof of principle experiment provided simultaneous measurements for the superallowed 0$^+$~$\rightarrow$~0$^+$ transition followed by a 3356~keV proton emission and for a Gamow-Teller transition followed by a 2123~keV proton emission. The results, respectively ${\tilde a_{\beta u}}=1.01(3)_{(stat)}(2)_{(syst)}$ and ${\tilde a_{\beta u}}=-0.22(9)_{(stat)}(2)_{(syst)}$, are found in agreement with the Standard Model. A careful analysis of the data shows that future measurements can reach a precision level of 10$^{-3}$ for both pure Fermi and pure Gamow-Teller decay channels, providing new constraints on both scalar and tensor weak interactions.

Decay microscope for trapped neon isotopes

Abstract: We review the design, simulation, and tests, of a detection system for measuring the energy distribution of daughter nuclei recoiling from the beta-decay of laser trapped neon isotopes. This distribution is sensitive to several new physics effects in the weak sector. Our `decay microscope' relies on imaging the velocity distribution of high energy recoil ions in coincidence with electrons shaken-off in the decay. We demonstrate by way of Monte-Carlo simulation, that the nuclear microscope increases the statistical sensitivity of kinematic measurements to the underlying energy distribution, and limits the main systematic bias caused by discrepancy in the trap position along the detection axis.

23Ne production at SARAF-I

Abstract: In this article, we present a measurement of flow rate, yield and effusion time of a 23Ne production and transport system. We used an accelerator-driven Li(d,n) neutron source to produce neutrons up to 20 MeV. The radioactive atoms were produced by a 23Na(n,p) reaction at a NaCl target. Later, the atoms were diffused out from the NaCl crystals and effused from the production chamber via a 10 m hose to a measurement cell and their decay products were detected using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) and plastic scintillator detectors. The resulting flow rate was 6 . 9 ± 0 . 7 ⋅ 1 0 4 a t o m s s e c and the total yield was 3 . 2 ± 0 . 6 ⋅ 1 0 − 9 a t o m s d e u t e r o n . We summarize our methods and estimates of efficiencies, rates of production and effusion.