New analysis of neutron-lifetime experiments

The experiments on measuring the neutron lifetime have been analyzed. The newest and most exactly measured neutron lifetime [Phys. Lett. B 605, 72 (2005)] (878.5 ± 0.8 s) differs from the world average value [Phys. Lett. B 667, 1 (2008)] (885.7 ± 0.8 s) by 6.5 standard deviations. In this context, an analysis and Monte Carlo simulation of the experiments [Phys. Lett. B 483, 15 (2000)] and [Phys. Rev. Lett. 63, 593 (1989)] have been performed. Systematic errors of about −6 s are found in both experiments. A table with the results of measuring the neutron lifetime is presented with corrections and additions. The new world average value for the neutron lifetime is found to be 880.0 ± 0.9 s.