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Nathal Severijns

Bio: Nathal Severijns is an academic researcher from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The author has contributed to research in topics: Neutron & Magnetic field. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 163 publications receiving 2473 citations. Previous affiliations of Nathal Severijns include Université catholique de Louvain.


Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the experimental results that set the current world sensitivity limit on the magnitude of the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron is presented.
Abstract: We present for the first time a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the experimental results that set the current world sensitivity limit on the magnitude of the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron. We have extended and enhanced our earlier analysis to include recent developments in the understanding of the effects of gravity in depolarizing ultracold neutrons; an improved calculation of the spectrum of the neutrons; and conservative estimates of other possible systematic errors, which are also shown to be consistent with more recent measurements undertaken with the apparatus. We obtain a net result of dn=−0.21±1.82×10−26 e cm, which may be interpreted as a slightly revised upper limit on the magnitude of the EDM of 3.0×10−26 e cm (90% C.L.) or 3.6×10−26 e cm (95% C.L.).

492 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the result of an experiment to measure the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron at the Paul Scherrer Institute using Ramsey's method of separated oscillating magnetic fields with ultracold neutrons (UCN).
Abstract: We present the result of an experiment to measure the electric dipole moment EDM) of the neutron at the Paul Scherrer Institute using Ramsey's method of separated oscillating magnetic fields with ultracold neutrons (UCN). Our measurement stands in the long history of EDM experiments probing physics violating time reversal invariance. The salient features of this experiment were the use of a Hg-199 co-magnetometer and an array of optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometers to cancel and correct for magnetic field changes. The statistical analysis was performed on blinded datasets by two separate groups while the estimation of systematic effects profited from an unprecedented knowledge of the magnetic field. The measured value of the neutron EDM is $d_{\rm n} = (0.0\pm1.1_{\rm stat}\pm0.2_{\rmsys})\times10^{-26}e\,{\rm cm}$.

267 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a new global fit of available β-decay data is performed incorporating, for the first time in a consistent way, superallowed $0+to 0+$ transitions, neutron decay and nuclear decays.
Abstract: The status of tests of the standard electroweak model and of searches for new physics in allowed nuclear $\beta$ decay and neutron decay is reviewed including both theoretical and experimental developments. The sensitivity and complementarity of recent and ongoing experiments are discussed with emphasis on their potential to look for new physics. Measurements are interpreted using a model-independent effective field theory approach enabling to recast the outcome of the analysis in many specific new physics models. Special attention is given to the connection that this approach establishes with high-energy physics. A new global fit of available $\beta$-decay data is performed incorporating, for the first time in a consistent way, superallowed $0^+\to 0^+$ transitions, neutron decay and nuclear decays. The constraints on exotic scalar and tensor couplings involving left- or right-handed neutrinos are determined while a constraint on the pseudoscalar coupling from neutron decay data is obtained for the first time as well. The values of the vector and axial-vector couplings, which are associated within the standard model to $V_{ud}$ and $g_A$ respectively, are also updated. The ratio between the axial and vector couplings obtained from the fit under standard model assumptions is $C_A/C_V = -1.27510(66)$. The relevance of the various experimental inputs and error sources is critically discussed and the impact of ongoing measurements is studied. The complementarity of the obtained bounds with other low- and high-energy probes is presented including ongoing searches at the Large Hadron Collider.

175 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the axion-wind spin-precession frequencies of stored ultracold neutrons and 199Hg atoms were analyzed for axion induced oscillating electric dipole moment of the neutron and an axion wind spin precession effect.
Abstract: We report on a search for ultra-low-mass axion-like dark matter by analysing the ratio of the spinprecession frequencies of stored ultracold neutrons and 199Hg atoms for an axion-induced oscillating electric dipole moment of the neutron and an axion-wind spin-precession effect. No signal consistent with dark matter is observed for the axion mass range 1024 eV ma 10 17 eV. Our null result sets the first laboratory constraints on the coupling of axion dark matter to gluons, which improve on astrophysical limits by up to 3 orders of magnitude, and also improves on previous laboratory constraints on the axion coupling to nucleons by up to a factor of 40.

172 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a global fit of available β-decay data is performed incorporating, for the first time in a consistent way, superallowed 0 + → 0 + transitions, neutron decay and nuclear decays.

169 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Apr 1988-Nature
TL;DR: In this paper, a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) is presented.
Abstract: Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

9,929 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of the application of atomic physics to address important challenges in physics and to look for variations in the fundamental constants, search for interactions beyond the standard model of particle physics and test the principles of general relativity.
Abstract: Advances in atomic physics, such as cooling and trapping of atoms and molecules and developments in frequency metrology, have added orders of magnitude to the precision of atom-based clocks and sensors. Applications extend beyond atomic physics and this article reviews using these new techniques to address important challenges in physics and to look for variations in the fundamental constants, search for interactions beyond the standard model of particle physics, and test the principles of general relativity.

1,077 citations