A Search for Second Class Currents in the A=8 System

Probing for second-class induced weak currents is one method of testing selectpredictions of the Standard Model. Although the current limits are not inconsistentwith zero, shrinking these limits will provide more information as to the accuracy ofthe Standard Model's predictions. This work measures the &beta-delayed coincident &alphaparticles resulting from the decay of ⁸Li and ⁸B. Coupling these measurements witha detailed simulation of the experiment was intended to improve the limits on thesecond-class induced tensor component of the weak current. Although unsuccessful,the experiment in this work greatly improved the number of coincident statisticsover the previous measurement. This work explores several possible explanationsfor the disagreement between simulation and experiment and suggests a myriad offuture improvements to be applied the next time the experiment is attempted.