Measurement of Electron Backscattering in the Energy Range of Neutron β-Decay

Electron backscattering from the surfaces of detectors is known to complicate beta spectroscopy. For example, an upcoming measurement of the beta-asymmetry in neutron decay (the UCNA experiment at Los Alamos) will require an understanding of backscattering at the 20% level. The beta-asymmetry, when combined with the neutron lifetime, can be used to extract the standard model parameter V_ud governing weak transitions between u and d quarks. The existing measurements of electron backscattering are not detailed enough in the relevent energy range to make assessments of models of electron transport. We report on the first detailed measurements of electron backscattering at normal incidence from low Z bulk targets in the energy range 40 to 800 keV. The total backscattered fraction, and the energy and angular distributions of the backscattered electrons were measured. The measurements have been compared with electron transport models based on the Geant4 and Penelope Monte Carlo codes, and with previous lower energy measurements.