Phenomenology of neutron-antineutron conversion

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Gardner, Susan, Xinshuai Yan
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 15.11.2017
• Subjects: Antiparticles; Conversion; Field theory; Phenomenology; Physics - High Energy Physics - Experiment; Physics - High Energy Physics - Phenomenology; Physics - Nuclear Experiment; Physics - Nuclear Theory
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1710.09292

We consider the possibility of neutron-antineutron (\(n-\bar n\)) conversion, in which the change of a neutron into an antineutron is mediated by an external source, as can occur in a scattering process. We develop the connections between \(n-{\bar n}\) conversion and \(n-{\bar n}\) oscillation, in which a neutron spontaneously tranforms into an antineutron, noting that if \(n-{\bar n}\) oscillation occurs in a theory with B-L violation, then \(n-{\bar n}\) conversion can occur also. We show how an experimental limit on \(n-{\bar n}\) conversion could connect concretely to a limit on \(n-{\bar n}\) oscillation, and vice versa, using effective field theory techniques and baryon matrix elements computed in the M.I.T. bag model.