Towards an Increased Sensitivity for Measurement of the Neutron Electric Dipole Moment

Measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) provide extremely tight constraints on models of physics beyond the Standard Model. The Sussex group was part of the collaboration that set the current world limit, and we are now involved in an ongoing experiment at PSI that will improve the sensitivity initially by a factor 2-3 and in the medium term by almost an order of magnitude.

Within this project the student will develop a detailed Monte Carlo simulation to carry out precise calculations of potential systematic errors for both the current and upgraded experiments. This will include, for example, effects of nonuniformities in electric field. The project will also involve a very substantial contribution towards the analysis of data that are currently being taken.

In addition, the student is anticipated to spend an extended period of time at PSI, taking data on site at the experiment and interacting closely with the group of experts there.