Experimental Approach to Search for Free Neutron-Antineutron Oscillations Based on Coherent Neutron and Antineutron Mirror Reflection
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We performed a n − ¯n oscillation search with SK-I-IV data using a multivariate analysis. Compared to previous results [15], the updated final state interaction model predicts fewer pions and less separation between signal and neutrino backgrounds. With the advanced MVA method and the inclusion of multiple new variables, the sensitivity of this analysis is still greatly enhanced. For the 0.37 megaton-year exposure at SK, we observed 11 events with an expected background of 9.3 2.7 events. There is no statistically significant excess of data events, so a lower limit on the neutron lifetime is set at 3.6 × 1032 years at 90% C.L., corresponding to a lower limit on the neutron-antineutron oscillation time in 16O of τn→¯n > 4.7 × 108 s. This is the world’s most stringent limit on neutron-antineutron oscillation so far, with 90% improvement from the previous best limit [15], and is reaching the predicted parameter space of some theoretical models.more » « less