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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [145]-150).

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Le temps de vie du neutron libre joue un rôle important dans la physique des particules comme dans des modèles cosmologiques. Notre connaissance de la valeur précise du temps de vie du neutron est limitée par les incertitudes systématiques des deux méthodes expérimentales couramment utilisées, les méthodes dites de "faisceau" et de "bouteille matérielle". En outre une déviation systématique des valeurs de temps de vie obtenues par les deux méthodes s'est manifestée au cours des dernières décennies.Le projet HOPE fait parti d'une nouvelle génération d'expériences qui cherchent à mesurer le temps de vie du neutron en stockant des neutrons ultra-froids (UCN) dans un potentiel magnéto-gravitationnel. HOPE génère les champs magnétiques nécessaires par une combinaison d'aimants permanents puissants de terre rare, qui produisent des champs magnétiques maximaux d'environ 1.3 T, et un système de bobines supraconductrices. Dans cette thèse je donnerai une description détaillée de l'appareil, des effets systématiques possibles et comment nous envisageons d'étudier et de maîtriser ces effets. Ensuite les résultats d'un premier temps de faisceau, effectué à la source PF2, vont être présentés et discutés. Les résultats sont encourageants puisque nous avons atteint des constants de temps de stockages maximaux de 881(46) s, ce qui indique des pertes d'UCN très faibles pendant la phase du stockage. / The lifetime of the free neutron plays an important role in fundamental particle physics as well as cosmological models. Our knowledge of the precise value of the neutron lifetime is limited by the systematical inaccuracies of the two commonly used experimental approaches, the so called “beam” and “material bottle” methods. Moreover a systematic deviation of the lifetime-values extracted from both methods has become manifest over the past decades.The HOPE project is part of a new generation of experiments that aims to determine the neutron lifetime by storing ultra cold neutrons (UCN) in a combined magneto-gravitational potential. HOPE generates the necessary gradient magnet fields by a combination of highly potent rare-earth permanent magnets with a maximum B-field strength of about 1.3 T and a set of superconducting coils. In this thesis I give a detailed description of the apparatus, possible systematical effects and how we are planning to investigate and cope with those effects. Subsequently the results from a first beamtime at the PF2 source will be presented and discussed. The results are encouraging as we reached a maximum storage-time constants of 881(46) s, indicating a very small UCN loss rate during storage.

The observed imbalance of matter and anti-matter in the universe is one of physics' most fundamental unresolved questions. The leading theories to explain this imbalance require CP violation, and the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) is a sensitive parameter in its determination. Many new theories of physics beyond the standard model can be constrained or ruled-out by setting limits on the nEDM. Many next generation nEDM experiments require Ultra Cold Neutrons (UCN), produced in superfluid helium. One such experiment is cryoEDM. This thesis explores various types of UCN detection technologies applicable to cryoEDM or any high-density high-efficiency cryogenic nEDM experiment. Cryogenic Phonon Scintillation detectors (CPSD) are modified for this application by operating at 500 mK, and by using a titanium transition edge sensor for phonon signal readout. A CPSD is stabilised in the transition using a novel infra-red light feedback system which reduced the response time to O</m>(100 &mu;s). The detector is characterised and calibrated using an ²⁴¹Am &alpha; source. It was found to operate reliably at this elevated temperature and measure an alpha spectrum with 11% resolution at 5.5 MeV. Scintillators are identified as a promising technology for UCN detection at low temperature. Suitable materials that are bright with fast decay times and low &gamma; sensitivity are studied in the temperature range 300 - 6 K. Their light yield to alpha excitation, their decay time characteristics and spectroscopic properties under VUV excitation are investigated. This study includes the first comprehensive investigation of the luminescence properties of plastic scintillators and of ⁶LiF/ZnS(Ag) down to 6 K. It is found that there is no degradation of the luminescence or kinetic properties of these materials across the whole temperature range, revealing them as suitable cryogenic detector materials. Using a plastic scintillator, a prototype UCN detector for operation in liquid helium is designed, manufactured and tested. It is read out using WLS optical fibres to a room temperature photomultiplier. The detector is successfully tested with cold neutrons at the ISIS neutron science facility and found to effectively measure neutrons, with a signal that is clear from background. Recommendations are made for its integration into a cryogenic neutron EDM experiment. This low-cost detector offers a promising method for the passive detection of UCN in a challenging cryogenic environment, with minimal electric interference and low background sensitivity. This technology offers the potential for improved UCN detection efficiency and thus improved sensitivity of the measurement of the neutron EDM.