Neutron scalar polarizabilities

Abstract

The known values for the scalar polarizabilities of the neutron have a relatively large experimental error compared to that of the proton. Previously these values were found by analyzing the results of Compton scattering with a deuterium target, but this method has many causes for uncertainty. The A2 collaboration at the Institut fur Kernphysik at Johannes Gutenberg Universitat in Mainz, Germany, plans to measure the neutron polarizabilities in a new way. Now, similar Compton scattering based experiments will be carried out with a new active target filled with high-pressure 3He gas. This active target will allow previously unmeasured quantities of the reaction to be analyzed, thus reducing the background noise of the data, and therefore lowering the experimental error. But to do this software has to be used to reconstruct the events within the active target. The new active target and the software used to reconstruct it are still in development; in particular, I will be aiding in the development of the software.