The Primakoff Experiment at Jefferson Lab

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PrimEx experimental setup video (courtesy: David Lawrence)


PrimEx is aimed at a precision measurement of the π0 decay rate (or lifetime) using the Primakoff effect. The π0-->γγ decay rate is a fundamental prediction of QCD which gives insight into one of its most profound symmetry issues--namely, the Chiral Anomaly. It is this anomalous symmetry-breaking mechanism by which the π0-->γγ decay channel primarily proceeds, and thus a measure of its rate or partial width, Γγγ, represents a direct probe of the anomaly plus chiral corrections.

My Latest Presentation

Poster given at GRC Photo-nuclear 2008

Cross Section Analysis Note

Lifetime Extraction Analysis Note

Outline of PrimEx I Data Analysis