Event ID: INT-27-1a

Note: This is an in-person program.

OVERVIEW

Over recent decades theory and experiment have established the standard models of elementary particle interactions and cosmology, provided measurements that precisely establish values of the free parameters, and developed a framework for precise calculations, but observations and theoretical questions remain unanswered. The solutions likely require new degrees of freedom and new dynamics, which have motivated searches for Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics across many energy scales. Fundamental neutron science with UCNs - ultracold neutrons - provides an exceptional opportunity for experiment and theory to come together to uncover this BSM physics.

This two-week program of talks and discussions will focus on assessing the new physics discovery potential and model diagnosing power of new UCN sources, experimental opportunities, and the role of SM and BSM theory over 10-, 20-, and 30-year time frames. Challenges addressed by the next generations of UCN sources include precision measurements of the neutron lifetime, neutron decay, neutron EDM searches, and on making rigorous connections to baryogenesis, exotic neutron interactions including oscillations, and other opportunities.

Talks and discussions will cover 1) the context of fundamental physics measurements and analyses with cold and ultracold neutrons; 2) the theory problems and prospects for challenging the Standard Model and searching for Beyond Standard Model Physics with fundamental neutron measurements; 3) specific experiments emphasizing techniques, requirements, statistical and systematic uncertainties, for current and envisioned future measurements; 4) the technical challenges and prospects of new sources on the decade and multi-decade horizons. We encourage broad participation from the broader fundamental-neutron physics community, particularly early career scientists. The goals of the workshop include a white paper for the community that sets the stage for the future of UCN science with the opportunity for all participants to contribute.