A Search for Possible Deviations from Newtonian Gravity at the nm Length Scale Using Neutron-Noble Gas Scattering

Abstract

We are searching for a possible deviation from Newtonian gravity at the nm length scale using neutron scattering techniques. The neutron is a chargeless and massive particle thereby lending itself to use as a probe for weakly coupled interactions at length scales of ∼1 nm that would otherwise be masked by electromagnetic effects. By analyzing the q-dependence of the intensity distribution of scattered neutrons, we can place an upper limit on the size of such a new interaction. We performed a neutron experiment for this purpose at the low-divergence beam branch on the BL05 NOP beamline in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). We report our recent analysis efforts.

Fundamental Physics Activities with Pulsed Neutron at J-PARC(BL05)

“…Nuclear scattering and short-range forces are distinguished by their angular dependences [19], [20]. Up to this point, we have collected ~2 ´ 10 7 neutron scattering events [21].…”