Investigating Fundamental Symmetries with Ultracold Neutrons at East Tennessee State University

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $245,732 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This award supports experimental research focused on high-precision measurements of neutron properties. These measurements will advance our understanding of the weak nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. When not bound into an atomic nucleus, the neutron will soon decay into a proton, an electron, and an anti-neutrino. The rate at which the neutron decays, along with the direction of the emitted electrons, offers critical insights into the formation of elements in the early universe, the processes driving fusion in stars, and the interactions among fundamental particles. In addition, searches for the neutron’s permanent electric dipole moment, a tiny separation of internal charges within a neutral particle, may shed light on why the universe is dominated by matter rather than antimatter. The PI and a team of undergraduate researchers will contribute to three major experiments at the Los Alamos Ultracold Neutron Source that explore these questions. Their efforts will focus on improving the sensitivity of electron and neutron detection systems used across all three experiments. This research will also provide students with hands-on training in both hardware and software, preparing them for future roles in the national STEM workforce. The primary goal of this work is to deepen our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics and to search for phenomena that lie beyond it. Three ongoing experiments at the Los Alamos Ultracold Neutron

Key facts

NSF award ID
2515036
Awardee
East Tennessee State University (TN)
SAM.gov UEI
V5LLVC627U34
PI
Robert W Pattie
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), PRECISION MEASUREMENTS
Estimated total
$245,732
Funds obligated
$245,732
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028