Fundamental Neutron Physics: Theory and Analysis
The goal of the proposed research is the study of the possible manifestations of new physics beyond the Standard model in fundamental neutron physics, with emphasis on fundamental symmetries and "exotic'' interactions. The main part of the research will be focused on theoretical support of the search for Time Reversal Invariance Violation (TRIV) in neutron nuclei scattering. The existence of our universe, and the prevalence of matter over antimatter, requires TRIV (the impossibility of going from the past to the future). However, the source of TRIV in the Standard model is not strong enough to explain why our universe exists. Thus, the observation of large TRIV effects will be a clear signal of new physics. The proposed research topics include calculations of Parity Violating (PV) and TRIV effects in neutron nuclei scattering on different targets, and the study of the possible manifestations of new physics in neutron-decays, neutron-antineutron oscillations, and in interactions of ultra-cold neutrons with nuclei. This research will provide theoretical support to the ongoing experimental programs related to the search for TRIV in neutron scattering at Los Alamos National Laboratory and J-PARC (Japan), and will contribute in the efforts in searching for new physics in fundamental neutron physics experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and at other national and international neutron research centers.