Title: The Upgraded Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime Using the In-Beam Method
Author: Jimmy Caylor
Abstract: 
Precision measurements of neutron beta decay can provide answers some of the most fundamental questions in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Neutron beta decay is the simplest semi-leptonic decay, therefore it provides clean test of the charged current sector of the Standard Model (SM). A precise measurement of the neutron lifetime and , the ratio of axial vector and vector coupling constants of the weak interaction, allows for a determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Moskawa (CKM) matrix element Vud that is free from nuclear structure effects. The SM predicts that the CKM matrix is unitary, therefore the measurement of the neutron lifetime provides an important test of the SM. The neutron lifetime is also an important input parameter into early universe Big Bang Nucleosynthesis calculations. The neutron lifetime remains the most uncertain parameter in the calculation of cosmic 4He abundance. The in-beam method of the neutron lifetime requires the absolute counting of decay protons in a neutron beam of precisely known flux. Improvements in the neutron and proton detection systems as well as the use of a new analysis technique and apparatus upgrades allow for an investigation of previously inaccessible systemic effects. I will discus the development and optimization of new analysis techniques that provide improved proton energy resolution as well as an absolute timing comparison to simulation. The results of new protonsystematic studies will also be discussed.