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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
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Neutron Radiography and Computed Tomography of Biological Systems at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor
Published on: May 7, 2021
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Radiative Neutron β-Decay in Effective Field Theory
Susan Gardner1, Véronique Bernard2, Ulf-G Meißner3
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055, USA.
Summary
We studied neutron radiative beta decay using heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory. Our findings reveal nucleon structure effects at the next-to-leading order, enabling precise tests of weak current Dirac structure.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Quantum Field Theory
Background:
- Neutron radiative beta decay is a fundamental process in nuclear physics.
- Understanding nucleon structure effects is crucial for precise predictions in particle physics.
- Chiral perturbation theory provides a framework for studying low-energy QCD phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nucleon-structure effects in neutron radiative beta decay.
- To determine these effects at next-to-leading order in the chiral expansion.
- To enable sensitive tests of the Dirac structure of weak currents.
Main Methods:
- Employing heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory.
- Calculating contributions at next-to-leading order in the chiral expansion.
- Analyzing the impact of nucleon structure beyond leading-order weak coupling constants.
Main Results:
- Nucleon-structure effects were determined at the next-to-leading order.
- These effects were found to enter at the [Formula: see text]-level.
- The calculations provide a sensitive probe of weak current Dirac structure.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully quantifies nucleon-structure effects in neutron radiative beta decay.
- The results offer a new avenue for testing the fundamental Dirac structure of weak interactions.
- Heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory is a powerful tool for these investigations.
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