Award Abstract #0079840
Development of a High Resolution Detection System for the Precision Measurement of the Neutral Pion Lifetime at JLab

NSF Org:	PHY Division of Physics
Initial Amendment Date:	August 11, 2000
Latest Amendment Date:	July 22, 2003
Award Number:	0079840
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Kathleen V. McCloud PHY Division of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2000
Expires:	July 31, 2004 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$970205
Investigator(s):	Oliver Baker oliver.baker@yale.edu (Principal Investigator) Ashot Gasparian (Former Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Hampton University E. Queen and Tyler Street Hampton, VA 23668 757/727-5000
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1232, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

0079840

Gasparian

This award will support the construction and operation of

experimental detection equipment to perform the most fundamental

prediction of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at low energy. Since the quality of existing measurements is not commensurate with the

precision of the theoretical prediction, a modern measurement at the

1.5% accuracy level would fill this important experimental gap, and

would test the prediction of the so-called axial anomaly at the

level of the theoretical precision. The experiment will measure the

decay width of the neutron pi meson via coherent photoproduction in

the Coulomb field of the nucleus, i.e., the Primakoff effect. The

experiment has been approved to run at Jefferson Laboratory with

high priority. The project involves approximately 14 senior

researchers from 12 institutions, seven postdoctoral fellows, and

eight graduate students, and represents an excellent educational

opportunity.

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