Triple correlation in the 10B(n, αγ)7Li reaction

Abstract

The formally T-odd triple correlation between the directions of the momenta of α particle and γ quantum and the polarization pseudovector of a thermal neutron was examined for the 10B+n=7Li+4He+γ reaction. Such T-odd correlations can be directly used for checking time reversal invariance in the elastic scattering of particles. In more complex reactions, this correlation can occur as a result of particle interactions in the entrance and exit channels of the reaction and, being a background effect, requires correct theoretical or direct experimental estimation. Our experiments gave an upper limit of 3.2×10−4 (90% confidence level) for the possible T-odd asymmetry parameter in the reaction under study.