Transverse Polarization of Beta Particles from Polarized Nuclei

Citation

Markey, John Kevin (1985) Transverse Polarization of Beta Particles from Polarized Nuclei. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/dcqv-yv75. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01222019-150217091

Abstract

In this thesis an experiment to measure the transverse polarization of electrons from the decay of polarized ⁶⁰Co is presented. The result

[equation; see abstract in scanned thesis for details]

is consistent with the predicted polarization based on the V - A theory of the weak interaction and the Weinberg, Salam, Glashow model. The theoretical prediction is

[equation; see abstract in scanned thesis for details]

where

[equation; see abstract in scanned thesis for details].

This is the first measurement of the transverse polarization of beta particles from the decay of polarized nuclei. The polarization of the electrons was measured by scattering them from gold foil and detecting the scattering asymmetry predicted by Mott scattering theory. ⁶⁰Co nuclei were polarized by embedding them in a ferromagnetic host where they feel a strong hyperfine field. The host foil was attached to a dilution refrigerator to lower the entropy of the nuclei and allow for nuclear polarization.

Thesis Files