New record at ultracold neutron source in Mainz

Some 10 years ago, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) entered a new field of research by starting to generate ultracold neutrons (UCN) for use in fundamental research in physics. The participating physicists and chemists now report another major breakthrough. They have been able to increase the UCN yield of their source by a factor of 3.5. This means that the prerequisites are now in place to begin the more sensitive measurements required to determine the lifetime of the free neutron.