Progress in the ND weak interaction program
Prof. Maxime Brodeur
Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame
Nuclear beta decays provide a unique avenue for testing the electroweak part of the Standard Model through precision measurements. One probing mechanism for new physics is the unitarity test of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix, which up to until recently has followed the SM-predicted unitarity. However, recent radiative correction calculation results, used for the determination of the biggest matrix element, Vud, now generates a three standards deviation of tension with unitarity, leading to renewed interest on the experimental and theoretical fronts. As such, in the past few years, a research program aimed at solidifying the determination of Vud from superallowed beta-decay transitions was initiated at the Nuclear Science Laboratory of the University Notre Dame. First, I will present results related to superallowed pure Fermi decays using Georgina and beams from the 5U. Second, I will present the core or our research program, which is centered on superallowed mixed decays and make use of radioactive ion beams from the Twin Solenoid (TwinSol) separator. This will include precision half-life measurements as well as future determination of the beta-neutrino angular correlation parameter using the St. Benedict ion trapping system.
Hosted by Prof. Wiescher
All interested persons are invited to attend remotely—email physics@nd.edu for information.