On the electron stability measured by the coincidence spectroscopy

The fast-slow coincidence technique has been used for the first time to measure the electron half-life, obtaining a very simple way for extracting noise background from real signals. In this paper we present a 986h measurement for the channel e− → γ + ν, realized in a laboratory practically without any cosmic-ray shielding and with common low-resolution BaF2 scintillators, obtaining a period of Te > 3.15 × 1021 yr. This result is analized in comparision with previous reports obtained in ultra-low background, massive and high resolution Ge detectors located thousand meters underground. So, an extrapolation of the limit that would be obtained under such conditions is evaluated.