Speaker
Dr
Gordon Drake
(University of Windsor)
Description
There are currently several experiments in progress to search for new physics beyond the
Standard Model by high precision studies of angular correlations in the $\beta$ decay of the
helium isotope $^6{\rm He} \rightarrow\, ^6{\rm Li} + e^- + \bar{\nu}_e$. An essential part of the analysis is to understand the energy distribution and spectra of the recoil ions. After the $\beta$ decay event, the atomic electrons suddenly find themselves in a $^6$Li$^+$ environment with nuclear charge $Z = 3$. The electrons redistribute themselves over all possible states of the $^6$Li$^+$ ion, including the continuum leading to $^6$Li$^{++}$ and $^6$Li$^{3+}$. Evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model would reveal itself by an additional tensor coupling contribution to the weak interaction, in addition to the simple Gamow-Teller axial-vector mechanism. We will present calculations employing Stieltjes imaging techniques in Hylleraas coordinates to study the probabilities for the shake-up and shake-off mechanisms, and especially the additional recoil accompanying the emission of the shake-off electrons. The results are of key importance in the interpretation of angular correlations following $\beta$ decay.
Author
Dr
Gordon Drake
(University of Windsor)
Co-author
Ms
Eva Schulhoff
(University of windsor)
