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

S. K. L. Sjue

Published 2005-07-15, updated 2010-10-01Version 2

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.