Polarized Neutron $\beta$-Decay: the Proton Asymmetry and Recoil-Order Currents

Abstract

We present an analytic, recoil-order calculation of the proton asymmetry from polarized neutron $\beta$-decay. The differential decay rate in terms of electron energy and proton direction follows, parametrized in terms of the most general Lorentz-invariant hadron current coupled to a left-handed lepton current. Implications for experimental efforts to measure recoil-order currents are discussed.

Comments: The new version includes an erratum that corrects the result