Fundamental interactions involving neutrons and neutrinos: reactor-based studies led by the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute") [PNPI (NRC KI)]

A.P. Serebrov
The National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Orlova Roshcha, Gatchina, Leningradskaya Region, 188300, Russian Federation

Neutrons of very low energy (∼ 10⁻⁷ eV), commonly known as ultracold, are unique in that they can be stored in material and magnetic traps, thus enhancing methodical opportunities for conducting precision experiments and probing the fundamentals of physics. One of the central problems of physics, of direct relevance to the formation of the Universe, is the violation of time invariance. Experiments searching for the nonzero neutron electric dipole moment serve as a time invariance test, and the use of ultracold neutrons provides very high measurement precision. Precision neutron lifetime measurements using ultracold neutrons are extremely important for checking ideas on the early formation of the Universe. This paper discusses problems that arise in studies using ultracold neutrons. Also discussed are the currently highly topical problem of sterile neutrinos and the search for reactor antineutrino oscillations at distances of 6—12 meters from the active zone. The field reviewed is being investigated at multiple facilities globally. The present paper mainly concentrates on the PNPI-led studies on WWR-M PNPI (Gatchina), ILL (Grenoble), and SM-3 (Dimitrovgrad) reactors and also covers the results of the preparatory work at PNPI for the construction of the PIK reactor.

Keywords: ultracold neutrons, neutron electric dipole moment, neutron lifetime, sterile neutrino
PACS: 11.30.Er, 12.60.−i, 14.20.Dh, 14.60.St (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0185.201511c.1179
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2015/11/c/
Web of Science

000369654900003
ADS NASA

2015PhyU...58.1074S
Citation: Serebrov A P "Fundamental interactions involving neutrons and neutrinos: reactor-based studies led by the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute") [PNPI (NRC KI)]" Phys. Usp. 58 1074–1094 (2015)

BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks

Received: 3rd, March 2015, revised: 27th, July 2015, accepted: 29th, July 2015

Оригинал: Серебров А П «Исследования фундаментальных взаимодействий в ПИЯФ НИЦ КИ с нейтронами и нейтрино на реакторах» УФН 185 1179–1201 (2015); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0185.201511c.1179

References (74) Cited by (11) Similar articles (20) ↓

V.V. Nesvizhevsky “Near-surface quantum states of neutrons in the gravitational and centrifugal potentials” Phys. Usp. 53 645–675 (2010)
S.N. Vergeles, N.N. Nikolaev et al “General relativity effects in precision spin experimental tests of fundamental symmetries” Phys. Usp. 66 109–147 (2023)
E.P. Shabalin “What can be expected from the further study of CP and T symmetry violation and CPT invariance tests” Phys. Usp. 44 895–918 (2001)
A.I. Frank “Optics of ultracold neutrons and the neutron-microscope problem” Sov. Phys. Usp. 30 110–133 (1987)
F.L. Shapiro “Electric dipole moments of elementary particles” Sov. Phys. Usp. 11 345–352 (1968)
E.P. Shabalin “Electric dipole moment of the neutron in gauge theory” Sov. Phys. Usp. 26 297–310 (1983)
P. Miller “Search for an electric dipole moment of the neutron” Sov. Phys. Usp. 11 500–503 (1969)
D.I. Blokhintsev “Basis for special relativity theory provided by experiments in high energy physics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 9 405–413 (1966)
L.G. Landsberg “Flavor changing neutral currents and rare decays of K-mesons” Phys. Usp. 46 995–1051 (2003)
V.A. Ryabov, V.A. Tsarev, A.M. Tskhovrebov “The search for dark matter particles” Phys. Usp. 51 1091–1121 (2008)
V.K. Ignatovich “Ultracold neutrons — discovery and research” Phys. Usp. 39 283–304 (1996)
L.D. Kolupaeva, M.O. Gonchar et al “Neutrino oscillations: status and prospects for the determination of neutrino mass ordering and the leptonic CP-violation phase” Phys. Usp. 66 753–774 (2023)
O.P. Sushkov, V.V. Flambaum “Parity breaking in the interaction of neutrons with heavy nuclei” Sov. Phys. Usp. 25 1–12 (1982)
Yu.G. Kudenko “Study of neutrino oscillations in long-baseline accelerator experiments” Phys. Usp. 54 549–572 (2011)
N.V. Krasnikov, V.A. Matveev “The search for new physics at the Large Hadron Collider” Phys. Usp. 47 643–670 (2004)
S.M. Bilen’kii “Neutrino masses, mixing and oscillations” Phys. Usp. 46 1137–1152 (2003)
I.M. Frank “Neutron optics and ultracold neutrons” Sov. Phys. Usp. 34 (11) 988–996 (1991)
L.B. Okun “Problems related to the violation of CP invariance” Sov. Phys. Usp. 11 462–469 (1969)
V.G. Solov’ev “Conservation of combined parity as a Fundamental symmetry law of nature” Sov. Phys. Usp. 2 451–454 (1959)
N.B. Babichev, P.S. Bondarev, V.P. Neznamov “Similarity theory in neutron kinetics and its implications for RFNC—VNIIEF applied research” Phys. Usp. 54 919–929 (2011)

The list is formed automatically.