Winnipeg Researchers Set New Canadian Record in Neutron Study

A team of researchers at the University of Winnipeg has achieved a significant milestone in the study of neutrons, setting a new Canadian record for ultracold neutron production. Led by Jeff Martin, a professor of physics, the team surpassed their own previous record, demonstrating remarkable advancements in their ongoing research.

In an interview on CTV Morning Live, Martin explained that their work involves extracting neutrons, a fundamental component of matter located within atomic nuclei, and transforming them into what they refer to as “free neutrons.” The researchers then cool these neutrons and trap them in a specialized container to examine their properties.

Martin stated, “The record we broke was to make a lot of neutrons. So we can now put in a bottle lots and lots of neutrons. More than we ever could before.” The team has achieved the impressive feat of producing 900,000 ultracold neutrons with each proton pulse, a number that underscores their growing capabilities in this area of physics.

Looking ahead, Martin indicated that the team is poised to not only maintain their position as record holders in Canada but also aim for a world record. “We have one final upgrade this year that we’re trying to make,” he noted. “We should be able to boost the number of ultracold neutrons that we make by a factor of 50, which would put us way ahead of the game, like orders of magnitude higher than everybody else in the rest of the world.”

The motivation behind this research extends beyond record-setting. Martin and his team are investigating the puzzling absence of antimatter in the universe. Current theories suggest that in the early universe, matter and antimatter existed in equal quantities. The question remains: how did the universe transition from this balance to the current state where antimatter is virtually nonexistent? “So how we got from equal parts antimatter to no antimatter is a big mystery of physics, and that’s what we’re trying to discover,” Martin stated.

For students interested in participating in this groundbreaking research, Martin encourages them to begin by enrolling in a physics class at the University of Winnipeg. His team’s achievements not only highlight the university’s role in advancing scientific knowledge but also inspire the next generation of physicists.

As they continue their work, the researchers at the University of Winnipeg remain focused on making discoveries that could significantly impact our understanding of the universe and its fundamental components.