Some notes on a current neutrino mass experiment in Stockholm

Somewhat in keeping with the notion of workshop on the label of the present gathering we give some brief views and remarks related to a preparatory stage of a new neutrino mass experiment. Basic means is the upper endpoint behaviour of the tritium β-spectrum; in outline the new experiment much follows our earlier work on the same topic (Nucl. Phys. B39, 317 (1972)). The very high luminosity offered by combined electrostatic and magnetic β-spectroscopic methods remains a central experimental feature. Improved sensitivity with respect to neutrino mass is being looked for by further attention to the background problem and to the detector O-effect. preliminary, progress by a factor of between five and ten has been achieved on these areas. The details of the production of the new tritium source have not yet been settled. No real cure for the interpretation uncertainty associated with the atomic interplay is presently included in the outline of the new experiment. As a step-one aim we just wish to reach the minimum level of accuracy where indications can be obtained as to the reproducibility of the observed endpoint behaviour implied by the neutrino mass statements by Lubimov et al. The intricate general problem of how to strictly handle the atomic interplay will be postponed to a second - conceivably much different and more elaborate - second step