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Review of Particle Physics at PSI (PSI2020)

Event dates: from 2020-08-01 to 2021-06-13.

Past, present and future particle physics research at the PSI High-Intensity Proton Accelerator.

(Guest) Fellows responsible for this Issue

Dr Cyrus Hoffman
Prof. Klaus Kirch
Prof. Adrian Signer

Particle Physics at PSI

A. Signer, K. Kirch, C. M. Hoffman

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 001 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

Particle physics results of constant value and significant impact have been obtained at PSI, and several efforts are presently ongoing and expected to deliver new findings in the near future. In this special SciPost volume we collect them together in a concise manner. Not yet included are ideas for future facility upgrades or completely new experimental efforts, but we are set to extend this volume in the years to come.
The High Intensity Proton Accelerator Facility

J. Grillenberger, C. Baumgarten, M. Seidel

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 002 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The High Intensity Proton Accelerator Facility at PSI routinely provides a proton beam with up to $1.4\,\rm{MW}$ power at a kinetic energy of $590\,\rm{MeV}$. The beam is used to generate neutrons in spallation targets and pions in meson production targets. The pions decay into muons and neutrinos, with applications focused on condensed matter research and particle physics at the intensity frontier. This section presents the main physics and technology concepts utilized in the facility. It includes beam dynamics, the control of beam losses and activation, power conversion, efficiency aspects, and performance figures, e.g., the availability of the facility.
The Meson Production Targets in the high energy beamline of HIPA at PSI

Daniela Kiselev, Pierre-André Duperrex, Sven Jollet, Stefan Joray, Daniel Laube, Davide Reggiani, Raffaello Sobbia, Vadim Talanov

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 003 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

Two target stations in the 590 MeV proton beamline of the High Intensity Proton Accelerator (HIPA) at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) produce pions and muons for seven secondary beamlines, leading to several experimental stations. The two target stations are 18m apart. Target M is a graphite target with an effective thickness of 5mm, Target E is a graphite wheel with a thickness of 40 mm or 60 mm. Due to the spreading of the beam in the thick target, a high power collimator system is needed to shape the beam for further transport. The beam is then transported to either the SINQ target, a neutron spallation source, or stopped in the beam dump, where about 450 kW beam power is dissipated. In the following, the targets, collimators and beam dumps are further described.
UCN, the ultracold neutron source -- neutrons for particle physics

Bernhard Lauss, Bertrand Blau

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 004 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

Ultracold neutrons provide a unique tool for the study of neutron properties. An overview is given of the ultracold neutron (UCN) source at PSI, which produces the highest UCN intensities to fundamental physics experiments by exploiting the high intensity proton beam in combination with the high UCN yield in solid deuterium at a temperature of 5K. We briefly list important fundamental physics results based on measurements with neutrons at PSI.
A theory vade mecum for PSI experiments

G. Colangelo, F. Hagelstein, A. Signer, P. Stoffer

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 005 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

This article gives a compact introduction and overview of the theory underlying the experiments described in the rest of this review.
Muon Decay

W. Fetscher

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 006 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The decay of the muon has been studied at PSI with several precision measurements: The longitudinal polarization PL(E) with the muon decay parameters ξ′, ξ′′, the Time- Reversal Invariance (TRI) conserving transverse polarization PT1(E) with the muon de- cay parameters η, η′′, the TRI violating transverse polarization PT2(E), with α′/A, β′/A and the muon decay asymmetry with Pμξ. The detailed theoretical analysis of all mea- surements of normal and inverse muon decay has led for the first time to a lower limit |g V | > 0.960 ("V − A") and upper limits for nine other possible complex couplings, espe- cially the scalar coupling |g S | < 0.550 which had not been excluded before.
The SINDRUM-I Experiment

Ralph Eichler, Christoph Grab

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 007 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

SINDRUM-I was the first nearly 4 spectrometer at SIN. It was initially designed to 9 search for the forbidden decay + ! e+e􀀀e+ , but also successfully studied various 10 other processes with high precision. The upper limit obtained for the branching ratio of B!3e = 􀀀 (+ ! e+e􀀀e+ )=􀀀 (+ ! e+e¯ 11 ) < 1.0 10􀀀12(90% CL) from 1988 is still the best. The first statistically significant observation of the rare decay + ! e+e􀀀e+e¯ 12 , achieved in 1985, yielded a branching ratio of B13 !3e2 = (3.40.20.2)10􀀀5. Several 14 othermeasurements of rare decays were undertaken: the first observation of the -decay 15 + !e+ee􀀀e+ resulted in 􀀀 (+ !e+ee􀀀e+ )=􀀀 (+ !+ ) = (3.2 0.5 0.2) 10􀀀9, 16 also still the best measurement; and a determination of the ratio of the weak axial- to 17 vector-form factor FA=FV = (0.7 0.5), resolving an ambiguity. In addition, upper limits 18 for + ! e+ and + ! e+e with subsequent decay ! e+e􀀀 (search for "massless" Goldstone bosons) and 0 !e+e􀀀 19 < 1.3 10􀀀7 were obtained.
SINDRUM II

A. van der Schaaf

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 008 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

In 1987 a collaboration including ETHZ - UZH - PSI - RWTH Aachen - Univ. Tbilisi proposed a new search for μe conversion in muonic atoms. The SINDRUM II spectrometer came into operation in the PSI μE1 area in 1989, but a dedicated beam line was delayed until 1998 by technical setbacks.
Muonium-Antimuonium Conversion

Lorenz Willmann, Klaus Jungmann

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 009 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The MACS experiment performed at PSI in the 1990s provided an yet unchallenged upper bound on the probability for a spontaneous conversion of the muonium atom, ${\rm M=}$($\rm{\mu^+e^-}$) , into its antiatom, antimuonium ${\overline{\rm{M}} = }$($\rm{\mu^-e^+})$. It comprises the culmination of a series of measurements at various accelerator laboratories worldwide. The experimental limits on the process have provided input and steering for the further development of a variety of theoretical models beyond the standard theory, in particular for models which address lepton number violating processes and matter-antimatter oscillations. Several models beyond the standard theory could be strongly disfavored. There is interest in a new measurement and improved sensitivity could be reached by exploiting the time evolution of the conversion process, e.g., at intense pulsed muonium sources.
The mass of the $\pi^-$

M. Daum, D. Gotta

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 010 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The most precise values of the mass of the negatively charged pion have been determined from several measurements of X-ray wavelengths for transitions in pionic atoms at PSI. The Particle Data Group gives the average $m_{\pi^-}= (139.570 61 \pm 0.000 24) MeV/c^2$.
The mass of the $\pi^+$

M. Daum , P.-R. Kettle

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 011 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

At the Paul Scherrer Institute, the most precise pion mass value was obtained from a precision determination of the muon momentum, $p_{\mu^+}$, in pion decay at rest, $\pi^+ \rightarrow \mu^+ + \nu_{\mu}$. We find $p_{\mu^+} = (29.792\,00 \pm 0.000\,11$ MeV/c and $m_{\pi^+}$ = (139.570\,21 $\pm$ 0.000\,14) MeV/c$^2$. This value is more precise, however, in agreement with the recent compilation of the Particle Data Group for $m_{\pi^-}$. The agreement of $m_{\pi^+}$ with the most precise and recent single measurement, $m_{\pi^-}$ = (139.570\,77 $\pm$ 0.000\,18) MeV/c$^2$ is only fair (2.43 $\sigma$). From our $p_{\mu^+}$ value and using the above mentioned $m_{\pi^-}$ mass and the mass of the muon, $m_{\mu^+} = (105.658\,374\,5 \pm 0.000\,002\,4)$ MeV/c$^2$ we obtain an upper limit for the muon neutrino mass with 90 \%confidence, $m_{\mu_{\nu}} \leq 230$ keV/c$^2$. One also obtains a new quantitative measure of CPT invariance in the pion sector: $(m_{\pi^+} - m_{\pi^-})/m_{\pi}(\mbox{av}) = (-2.9 \pm 2.0)\cdot 10^{-6}$, an improvement by two orders of magnitude.
The $\pi^0$ mass and the first experimental verification of Coulomb de-excitation in pionic hydrogen

M. Daum, P.-R. Kettle

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 012 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The most precise value for the $\pi^0$ mass was obtained from the measurement of the mass difference $m_{\pi^-}-m_{\pi^0} = 4.593\,64(48)$\,MeV/c$^2$ in the charge exchange reaction $\pi^-$p $\rightarrow \pi^0$n at PSI. With the most precise charged pion mass value, $m_{\pi^+} = 139.570\,21(14)$\,MeV/c$^2$ and the validity of the CPT theorem ($m_{\pi^-} = m_{\pi^+}$), a value $m_{\pi^0} = 134.976\,57(50)$\,MeV/c$^2$ is obtained. The measurements also revealed, for the first time, evidence of an unexpectedly large contribution from Coulomb de-excitation states during the pionic atom cascade.
Cyclotron trap

D. Gotta, L. M. Simons

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 013 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The cyclotron trap was developed at SIN/PSI to increase the stopping density of nega- tively charged particle beams for the formation of exotic atoms in low pressure gases. A weak focusing magnetic field, produced by superconducting solenoids, is used. Particles are injected radially through the fringe field to a moderator, which decelerates them into orbits bound by the field. Further deceleration by moderators and/or low-pressure gases leads the particles to the center of the device, where they can be stopped or eventually extracted. Experiments became feasible with this technique, such as those dealing with pionic hydrogen/deuteriumat SIN/PSI.Muonic hydrogen laser experiments also became possible with the extraction of muons from the cyclotron trap. The formation of antipro- tonic hydrogen in low pressure targets led to successful experiments at LEAR/CERN.
Pionic hydrogen and deuterium

D. Gotta, L. M. Simons

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 014 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The measurement of strong-interaction shift and broadening in pionic hydrogen and deuterium yields pion-nucleon scattering lengths as well as the threshold pion-production strength on isoscalar NN pairs. Results from recent high-resolution experiments at PSI using crystal spectrometers allow important comparisons with the outcome of the modern low-energy description of QCD within the framework of effective field theories.
Measurement of the transverse polarization of electrons emitted in neutron decay – nTRV experiment

K. Bodek, A. Kozela

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 015 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

This paper recalls the main achievements of the nTRV experiment which measured two components of the transverse polarization ($\sigma_{T_{1}}$, $\sigma_{T_{2}}$) of electrons emitted in the $\beta$-decay of polarized, free neutrons and deduced two correlation coefficients, $R$ and $N$, that are sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. The value of time-reversal odd coefficient $R$, 0.004$\pm$0.012$\pm$0.005, significantly improved limits on the relative strength of imaginary scalar coupling constant in the weak interaction. The value obtained for the time-reversal even correlation coefficient $N$, 0.067$\pm$0.011$\pm$0.004, agrees with the Standard Model expectation, providing an important sensitivity test of the electron polarimeter. One of the conclusions of this pioneering experiment was that the transverse electron polarization in the neutron $\beta$-decay is worth more systematic exploring by measurements of yet experimentally not attempted correlation coefficients such as $H$, $L$, $S$, $U$ and $V$. This article presents a brief outlook on that questions.
Mulan: a part-per-million measurement of the muon lifetime and determination of the Fermi constant

R. Carey, T. Gorringe, D.W. Hertzog

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 016 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The part-per-million measurement of the positive muon lifetime and determination of the Fermi constant by the MuLan experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute is reviewed. The experiment used an innovative, time-structured, surface muon beam and a near-4π, finely-segmented, plastic scintillator positron detector. Two in-vacuum muon stopping targets were used: a ferromagnetic foil with a large internal magnetic field, and a quartz crystal in a moderate external magnetic field. The experiment acquired a dataset of 1.6e12 positive muon decays and obtained a muon lifetime τ_µ = 2 196 980.3(2.2) ps (1.0 ppm) and Fermi constant G_F = 1.166 378 7(6) × 10−5 GeV^−2 (0.5 ppm). The thirty fold improvement in τ_µ has proven valuable for precision measurements in nuclear muon capture and the commensurate improvement in G_F has proven valuable for precision tests of the standard model.
MuCap: Muon Capture on the Proton

Malte Hildebrandt, Claude Petitjean

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 017 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The singlet muon capture rate $\Lambda_S$ on the proton $\mu^-\ p \to \nu_\mu n$ is determined in a high precision lifetime measurement. The main apparatus consists of a new hydrogen time projection chamber as muon detector, developed by PSI, surrounded by cylindrical wire chambers and a plastic scintillator hodoscope as electron detectors. The parameter $\Lambda_S$ is evaluated as the difference between the inverse $\mu\,p$ lifetime and that of the free $\mu^+$. The result $\Lambda_S^\text{MuCap} = (715.6 \pm 5.4^\text{stat} \pm 5.1^\text{sys})\,\text{s}^{-1}$ is in excellent agreement with the prediction of chiral perturbation theory $\Lambda_S^{\chi\text{PT}} = (715.4 \pm 6.9)\,\text{s}^{-1}$. From $\Lambda_S^\text{MuCap}$ a recent analysis derives for the induced pseudoscalar coupling $g^\text{MuCap}_p = 8.23 \pm 0.83$ whereas $\bar{g}^{\chi\text{PT}}_p = 8.25 \pm 0.25$.}
MuSun - Muon Capture on the Deuteron

P. Kammel on behalf of the MuSun collaboration

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 018 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The MuSun experiment is a precision measurement of the rate for nuclear muon capture on the deuteron, designed to resolve a long-standing disagreement between experiment and theory, and to determine an important low-energy constant relevant for a variety of weak and strong dynamics. The experiment is based on a novel active target method employing a pure deuterium cryogenic time-projection chamber. The data taking was completed in two main campaigns and the analysis is well advanced. The unique chal- lenges and corresponding strategy of the experiment as well as the status of the analysis are presented.
MEG: Muon to Electron and Gamma

A.M. Baldini, T. Mori

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 019 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The possible existence of the muon to electron and gamma decay predicted by many new physics scenarios is investigated by stopping positive muons in a very thin target and measuring emitted photons and positrons with the best possible resolutions. Photons are measured by a 2.7 ton ultra pure liquid xenon detector while positron trajectories are measured in a specially designed gradient magnetic field by low-mass drift chambers and precisely timed by scintillation counters. A first phase of the experiment (MEG) ended in 2016, and excluded the existence of the decay with branching ratios larger than 4.2x10**(-13) (90% C.L.). This provides approximately 30 times stronger constraints on a variety of new physics models than previous experiments. In the second phase (MEG II), most of the detectors have been upgraded by adopting up-to-date technologies to improve the search sensitivity by another order of magnitude down to O(10**(-19) ). MEG II will pursue new physics beyond the Standard Model complementary to high energy collider experiments with a compatible or even higher sensitivity.
The Mu3e experiment

F. Wauters on behalf of the Mu3e collaboration

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 020 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The \emph{Mu3e} experiment aims for a single event sensitivity of 2$\cdot$10$^{-15}$ on the charged lepton flavour violating $\mu^+\rightarrow e^+ e^+ e^-$ decay. The experimental apparatus, a light-weight tracker based on custom High-Voltage Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors placed in a 1~T magnetic field is currently under construction at the Paul Scherrer Institute, where it will use the full intense 10$^8$ $\mu^+$/s beam available. A final sensitivity of 1$\cdot$10$^{-16}$ is envisioned for a phase II experiment, driving the development of a new high-intensity DC muon source.
Laser spectroscopy of light muonic atoms and the nuclear charge radii

Aldo Antognini, Franz Kottmann, Randolf Pohl

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 021 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The energy levels of hydrogen-like atomic systems are shifted slightly by the complex structure of the nucleus, in particular by the finite size of the nucleus. These energy shifts are vastly magnified in muonic atoms and ions, i.e. the hydrogen-like systems formed by a negative muon and a nucleus. By measuring the 2S-2P energy splitting in muonic hydrogen, muonic deuterium and muonic helium, we have been able to deduce the p, d, 3He and 4He nuclear charge radii to an unprecedented accuracy. These radii provide benchmarks for hadron and nuclear theories, lead to precision tests of bound- state QED in regular atoms and to a better determination of the Rydberg constant.
The muX project

Frederik Wauters, Andreas Knecht on behalf of the muX collaboration

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 022 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The muX project is conducting a series of muonic X-ray measurements in medium- and high-Z nuclei at PSI, utilizing a high-purity germanium detector array, in-beam muon detectors, and a modern digital data-acquisition system. A novel hydrogen transfer target was developed, enabling measurements with as little as a few micrograms of target material. First measurements with radioactive Cm and Ra targets were conducted, aimed at determining their nuclear charge radii. These serve as important input for upcoming atomic parity violation experiments. The apparatus is also used to perform a feasibility study of an atomic parity violation experiment with the 2s − 1s muonic X-ray transition. In addition, the setup has been made available for a wider range of nuclear, particle, and solid-state physics measurements.
MUSE: The MUon Scattering Experiment

Ethan Cline, Jan Bernauer, Evangeline J. Downie, Ronald Gilman

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 023 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

MUSE is a high-precision muon scattering experiment aiming to determine the proton radius. Muon, electron, and pion scattering will be measured at the same time. Two- photon exchange corrections will be determined with data using both beam polarities.
The pion beta and radiative electronic decays

Dinko Počanić

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 024 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

As the lightest meson, pion offers unique opportunities for measuring parameters and testing limits of the Standard Model (SM). The PiBeta experiment, carried out at PSI, focused on SM tests accessible through the pion beta, π + → π 0 e + ν e (γ), and electronic radiative, π + → e + ν e γ, decay channels. We review the PiBeta experiment, and update the pion beta decay branching ratio B πβ^exp = 1.038(6) tot × 10 −8 , along with the corresponding derived value of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element V ud = 0.9738(28).
Pion electronic decay and lepton universality

D. Počanić

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 025 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

In common with a number of simple processes involving elementary particles, charged pion decays are profoundly shaped by applicable Standard Model (SM) symmetries and properties. Given the highly precise SM theoretical description, pion decays are used as selective probes of SM parameters, and of possible SM extensions. The PEN experiment at PSI is studying the π + → e + ν e (γ), or π_ e2(γ) decay. The primary goal is to reach the relative precision of 5 × 10 ^{−4} in Re/μ^π, the branching ratio for π_ e2(γ) decay. We review the PEN research program, its present status, and prospects.
Recent results of laser spectroscopy experiments of pionic helium atoms at PSI

M. Hori, H. Aghai-Khozani, A. S\'ot\'er, A. Dax, D. Barna

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 026 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

A review of a recent experiment carried out at PSI involving laser spectroscopy of metastable pionic helium ($\pi{\rm ^4He}^+\equiv\pi^{-}+{\rm ^4He}^{2+}+e^-$) atoms is presented. An infrared transition $(n,\ell)=(17,16)$$\rightarrow$$(17,15)$ at a resonance frequency of $\nu\approx 183760$ GHz was detected.
The search for the neutron electric dipole moment at PSI

Guillaume Pignol, Philipp Schmidt-Wellenburg

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 027 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The existence of a nonzero permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron would reveal a new source of CP violation and shed light on the origin of the matter--antimatter asymmetry of the Universe. The sensitivity of current experiments using stored ultracold neutrons (UCN) probes new physics beyond the TeV scale. Using the UCN source at the Paul Scherrer Institut, the nEDM collaboration has performed the most sensitive measurement of the neutron EDM to date, still compatible with zero ($|d_n|<1.8\times 10^{-26} \, e {\rm cm}$, C.L.90%). A new experiment designed to improve the sensitivity by an order of magnitude, n2EDM, is currently in construction.
Indirect searches for dark matter with the nEDM spectrometer

S. Roccia, G. Zsigmond on behalf of the nEDM collaboration at PSI

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 028 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

The nEDM apparatus at PSI has been used to search for different dark matter signatures utilizing its high sensitivity to shifts in the neutron precession frequency and its well-controlled low magnetic field at the microT level. Such a shift could be interpreted as a consequence of a short-range spin-dependent interaction that could possibly be mediated by axions or axion-like particles, or as an axion-induced oscillating electric dipole moment of the neutron. Another search, based on so-called UCN disappearance measurements, targeted previously reported signals of neutron to mirror-neutron oscillations. These dark matter searches confirmed and improved previous results, as detailed in this review.
Current status and prospects of muonium spectroscopy at PSI

B. Ohayon, Z. Burkley, P. Crivelli

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 029 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

Recent and ongoing developments of low energy muon beamlines are heralding a new era of precision Muonium spectroscopy. While past spectroscopic measurements of Muonium were performed at pulsed muon facilities and were statistically limited, the advent of continuous low energy muon beams, such as at the LEM beamline at PSI, paired with the development of efficient muon-muonium converters and laser advancements, will overcome these limitations. Current experiments presently underway at the LEM facility and in the near future at the muCool beamline, which is under development at PSI, aim to improve the precision of both the 1S-2S transition determination and Lamb shift by several orders of magnitude. In this Chapter we give an overview of the current status and future prospects of these activities at PSI, highlighting how their projected significance fits into a broader context of other ongoing efforts worldwide.
muCool: muon cooling for high-brightness μ+ beams

Aldo Antognini, David Taqqu

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 030 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

A number of experiments with muons are limited by the poor phase space quality of the muon beams currently available. The muCool project aims at developing a phase-space cooling method to transform a surface μ+ beam with 4 MeV energy and 1 cm size into a slow muon beam with eV energy and 1 mm size. In this process the phase space is reduced by a factor of 10^9 − 10^10 with efficiencies of 2 · 10^−5 − 2 · 10^−4 . The beam is then re-accelerated to keV-MeV energies. Such a beam opens up new avenues for research in fundamental particle physics with muons and muonium atoms as well as in the field of μSR spectroscopy.
Development of a cold atomic muonium beam for next generation atomic physics and gravity experiments

Anna Soter, Andreas Knecht

SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 031 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | · pdf

A high-intensity, low-emittance atomic muonium (M) beam is being developed, which would enable improving the precision of M spectroscopy measurements, and may allow a direct observation of the M gravitational interaction. Measuring the free fall of M atoms would be the first test of the weak equivalence principle using elementary antimatter ($\mu^+$) and a purely leptonic system. Such an experiment relies on the high intensity, continuous muon beams available at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, Switzerland), and a proposed novel M source. In this paper, the theoretical motivation and principles of this experiment are described.