Characterization of electron detectors by time-of-flight in neutron \b{eta} decay experiments

Abstract

Progress in neutron decay experiments requires better methods for the characterization of electron detectors. I show that for such \b{eta}-decay studies, electron time-of-flight can be used for in-situ calibration of electron detectors. Energy resolution down to a few keV can be reached for the lower part of the electron spectrum in neutron decay, where conventional calibration methods come to their limit. Novel time-of-flight methods can also be used to perform a complete experiment on electron backscattering from their detectors.