Abstract
A β decay experiment is proposed for testing Bell’s inequality, related to hidden-variables alternatives to quantum mechanics. The experiment uses Mott scattering for spin polarization analysis of internal conversion electrons. Beta-decay electrons, in cascade with the conversion electrons, are longitudinally polarized due to parity violation in the weak interaction. So simply detecting the β electron direction effectively measures the spin. A two-particle spin-spin correlation can thus be investigated and related, within certain assumptions, to Bell’s inequality. The example of decay is used for a calculation of expected results. Specific problems related to nuclear structure and experimental inconsistencies are also discussed.
- Received 31 January 1985
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.33.2233
©1986 American Physical Society