Search Results (39 total)

We have measured the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry in elastic scattering of transversely polarized 3 GeV electrons from unpolarized protons at Q²=0.15, 0.25  (GeV/c)². The results are inconsistent with calculations solely using the elastic nucleon intermediate state and generally agree with calculations with significant inelastic hadronic intermediate state contributions. A_n provides a direct probe of the imaginary component of the 2γ exchange amplitude, the complete description of which is important in the interpretation of data from precision electron-scattering experiments.

We have measured the transverse asymmetry A_T^' in the quasielastic ³He→(e→,e^') process with high precision at Q² values from 0.1 to 0.6  (GeV/c)². The neutron magnetic form factor G_Mⁿ was extracted at Q² values of 0.1 and 0.2  (GeV/c)² using a nonrelativistic Faddeev calculation which includes both final-state interactions (FSI) and meson-exchange currents (MEC). Theoretical uncertainties due to the FSI and MEC effects were constrained with a precision measurement of the spin-dependent asymmetry in the threshold region of ³He→(e→,e^'). We also extracted the neutron magnetic form factor G_Mⁿ at Q² values of 0.3 to 0.6  (GeV/c)² based on plane wave impulse approximation calculations.

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry A_PV in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and ⁴He targets with ⟨θ_lab⟩≈6.0°. The ⁴He result is A_PV=(+6.40±0.23(stat)±0.12(syst))×10^-6. The hydrogen result is A_PV=(-1.58±0.12(stat)±0.04(syst))×10^-6. These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors G_E^s and G_M^s. We extract G_E^s=0.002±0.014±0.007 at ⟨Q²⟩=0.077  GeV², and G_E^s+0.09G_M^s=0.007±0.011±0.006 at ⟨Q²⟩=0.109  GeV², providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions.

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from ⁴He at an average scattering angle ⟨θ_lab⟩=5.7° and a four-momentum transfer Q²=0.091  GeV². From these data, for the first time, the strange electric form factor of the nucleon G_E^s can be isolated. The measured asymmetry of A_PV=(6.72±0.84_(stat)±0.21_(syst))×10^-6 yields a value of G_E^s=-0.038±0.042_(stat)±0.010_(syst), consistent with zero.

We present the first measurement of the Q² dependence of the neutron spin structure function g₂ⁿ at five kinematic points covering 0.57  (GeV/c)²≤Q²≤1.34  (GeV/c)² at x≃0.2. Though the naive quark-parton model predicts g₂=0, nonzero values occur in more realistic models of the nucleon which include quark-gluon correlations, finite quark masses, or orbital angular momentum. When scattering from a noninteracting quark, g₂ⁿ can be predicted using next-to-leading order fits to world data for g₁ⁿ. Deviations from this prediction provide an opportunity to examine QCD dynamics in nucleon structure. Our results show a positive deviation from this prediction at lower Q², indicating that contributions such as quark-gluon interactions may be important. Precision data obtained for g₁ⁿ are consistent with next-to-leading order fits to world data.

We have measured parity-violating asymmetries in elastic electron-proton scattering over the range of momentum transfers 0.12≤Q²≤1.0  GeV². These asymmetries, arising from interference of the electromagnetic and neutral weak interactions, are sensitive to strange-quark contributions to the currents of the proton. The measurements were made at Jefferson Laboratory using a toroidal spectrometer to detect the recoiling protons from a liquid hydrogen target. The results indicate nonzero, Q² dependent, strange-quark contributions and provide new information beyond that obtained in previous experiments.

The differential cross sections for the γn→π^-p and the γp→π⁺n processes were measured at Jefferson Lab. The photon energies ranged from 1.1 to 5.5 GeV, corresponding to center-of-mass energies from 1.7 to 3.4 GeV. The pion center-of-mass angles varied from 50^° to 110^°. The π^- and π⁺ photoproduction data both exhibit a global scaling behavior at high energies and high transverse momenta, consistent with the constituent counting rule prediction and the existing π⁺ data. The data suggest possible substructure of the scaling behavior, which might be oscillations around the scaling value. The data show an enhancement in the scaled cross section at center-of-mass energy near 2.2 GeV. The differential cross section ratios [dσ/dt(γn→π^-p)/dσ/dt(γp→π⁺n)] at high energies and high transverse momenta can be described by calculations based on one-hard-gluon-exchange diagrams.

We report on measurements of the neutron spin asymmetries A_1,2ⁿ and polarized structure functions g_1,2ⁿ at three kinematics in the deep inelastic region, with x=0.33, 0.47, and 0.60 and Q²=2.7, 3.5, and 4.8  (GeV∕c)², respectively. These measurements were performed using a 5.7  GeV longitudinally polarized electron beam and a polarized ³He target. The results for A₁ⁿ and g₁ⁿ at x=0.33 are consistent with previous world data and, at the two higher-x points, have improved the precision of the world data by about an order of magnitude. The new A₁ⁿ data show a zero crossing around x=0.47 and the value at x=0.60 is significantly positive. These results agree with a next-to-leading-order QCD analysis of previous world data. The trend of data at high x agrees with constituent quark model predictions but disagrees with that from leading-order perturbative QCD (PQCD) assuming hadron helicity conservation. Results for A₂ⁿ and g₂ⁿ have a precision comparable to the best world data in this kinematic region. Combined with previous world data, the moment d₂ⁿ was evaluated and the new result has improved the precision of this quantity by about a factor of 2. When combined with the world proton data, polarized quark distribution functions were extracted from the new g₁ⁿ∕F₁ⁿ values based on the quark-parton model. While results for Δu∕u agree well with predictions from various models, results for Δd∕d disagree with the leading-order PQCD prediction when hadron helicity conservation is imposed.

The generalized forward spin polarizabilities γ₀ and δ_LT of the neutron have been extracted for the first time in a Q² range from 0.1 to 0.9  GeV². Since γ₀ is sensitive to nucleon resonances and δ_LT is insensitive to the Δ resonance, it is expected that the pair of forward spin polarizabilities should provide benchmark tests of the current understanding of the chiral dynamics of QCD. The new results on δ_LT show significant disagreement with chiral perturbation theory calculations, while the data for γ₀ at low Q² are in good agreement with a next-to-leading-order relativistic baryon chiral perturbation theory calculation. The data show good agreement with the phenomenological MAID model.

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from protons. Significant contributions to this asymmetry could arise from the contributions of strange form factors in the nucleon. The measured asymmetry is A=−15.05±0.98(stat)±0.56(syst)  ppm at the kinematic point ⟨θ_lab⟩=12.3° and ⟨Q²⟩=0.477  (GeV∕c)². Based on these data as well as data on electromagnetic form factors, we extract the linear combination of strange form factors G_E^s+0.392G_M^s=0.014±0.020±0.010, where the first error arises from this experiment and the second arises from the electromagnetic form factor data. This paper provides a full description of the special experimental techniques employed for precisely measuring the small asymmetry, including the first use of a strained GaAs crystal and a laser-Compton polarimeter in a fixed target parity-violation experiment.

We report on a new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in quasielastic electron scattering from the deuteron at backward angles at Q²=0.038 (GeV/c)². This quantity provides a determination of the neutral weak axial vector form factor of the nucleon, which can potentially receive large electroweak corrections. The measured asymmetry A=-3.51±0.57  (stat)±0.58  (syst)  ppm is consistent with theoretical predictions. We also report on updated results of the previous experiment at Q²=0.091 (GeV/c)², which are also consistent with theoretical predictions.

We have measured the spin structure functions g₁ and g₂ of ³He in a double-spin experiment by inclusively scattering polarized electrons at energies ranging from 0.862 to 5.058 GeV off a polarized ³He target at a 15.5° scattering angle. Excitation energies covered the resonance and the onset of the deep inelastic regions. We have determined for the first time the Q² evolution of Γ₁(Q²)=∫₀¹g₁(x,Q²)dx, Γ₂(Q²)=∫₀¹g₂(x,Q²)dx, and d₂(Q²)=∫₀¹x²[2g₁(x,Q²)+3g₂(x,Q²)]dx for the neutron in the range 0.1≤Q²≤0.9  GeV² with good precision. Γ₁(Q²) displays a smooth variation from high to low Q². The Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule holds within uncertainties and d₂ is nonzero over the measured range.

We have measured the neutron spin asymmetry A₁ⁿ with high precision at three kinematics in the deep inelastic region at x=0.33, 0.47, and 0.60, and Q²=2.7, 3.5, and 4.8   (GeV/c)², respectively. Our results unambiguously show, for the first time, that A₁ⁿ crosses zero around x=0.47 and becomes significantly positive at x=0.60. Combined with the world proton data, polarized quark distributions were extracted. Our results, in general, agree with relativistic constituent quark models and with perturbative quantum chromodynamics (PQCD) analyses based on the earlier data. However they deviate from PQCD predictions based on hadron helicity conservation.

We have measured the nuclear transparency of the fundamental process γn→π^-p in ⁴He. These measurements were performed at Jefferson Lab in the photon energy range of 1.6–4.5 GeV and at θ_cm^π=70° and 90°. These measurements are the first of their kind in the study of nuclear transparency in photoreactions. They also provide a benchmark test of Glauber calculations based on traditional models of nuclear physics. The transparency results suggest deviations from the traditional nuclear physics picture. The momentum transfer dependence of the measured nuclear transparency is consistent with Glauber calculations that include the quantum chromodynamics phenomenon of color transparency.

We have measured the differential cross section for the γn→π^-p and γp→π⁺n reactions at θ_c.m.=90° in the photon energy range from 1.1 to 5.5 GeV at Jefferson Lab (JLab). The data at E_γ≳3.3   GeV exhibit a global scaling behavior for both π^- and π⁺ photoproduction, consistent with the constituent counting rule and the existing π⁺ photoproduction data. Possible oscillations around the scaling value are suggested by these new data. The data show enhancement in the scaled cross section at a center-of-mass energy near 2.2 GeV. The cross section ratio of exclusive π^- to π⁺ photoproduction at high energy is consistent with the prediction based on one-hard-gluon-exchange diagrams.

A high precision measurement of the transverse spin-dependent asymmetry A_T^′ in ³He→(e→,e^′) quasielastic scattering was performed in Hall A at Jefferson Lab at values of the squared four-momentum transfer, Q², between 0.1 and 0.6 (GeV/c)². A_T^′ is sensitive to the neutron magnetic form factor, G_Mⁿ. Values of G_Mⁿ at Q²=0.1 and 0.2 (GeV/c)², extracted using Faddeev calculations, were reported previously. Here, we report the extraction of G_Mⁿ for the remaining Q² values in the range from 0.3 to 0.6 (GeV/c)² using a plane-wave impulse approximation calculation. The results are in good agreement with recent precision data from experiments using a deuterium target.

We present data on the inclusive scattering of polarized electrons from a polarized ³He target at energies from 0.862 to 5.06 GeV, obtained at a scattering angle of 15.5°. Our data include measurements from the quasielastic peak, through the nucleon resonance region, and beyond, and were used to determine the virtual photon cross-section difference σ_1/2-σ_3/2. We extract the extended Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integral for the neutron in the range of four-momentum transfer squared Q² of 0.1–0.9   GeV².

The ratio of the electric and magnetic form factors of the proton G_Ep/G_Mp, which is an image of its charge and magnetization distributions, was measured at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) using the recoil polarization technique. The ratio of the form factors is directly proportional to the ratio of the transverse to longitudinal components of the polarization of the recoil proton in the elastic e→p→ep→ reaction. The new data presented span the range 3.5<Q²<5.6 GeV² and are well described by a linear Q² fit. Also, the ratio sqrt[Q²] F_2p/F_1p reaches a constant value above Q²  =  2 GeV².

We present the first precision measurement of the spin-dependent asymmetry in the threshold region of ³H→e(e→,e^′) at Q² values of 0.1 and 0.2 (GeV/c)². The agreement between the data and nonrelativistic Faddeev calculations which include both final-state interactions and meson-exchange current effects is very good at Q²  =  0.1 (GeV/c)², while a small discrepancy at Q²  =  0.2 (GeV/c)² is observed.

Inclusive electron scattering data are presented for ²H, C, Fe, and Au targets at an incident electron energy of 4.045 GeV for a range of momentum transfers from Q²=1 to 7 (GeV/c)². Data were taken at Jefferson Laboratory for low values of energy loss, corresponding to values of Bjorken x≳1. The structure functions do not show scaling in x in this range, where inelastic scattering is not expected to dominate the cross section. The data do show scaling, however, in the Nachtmann variable ξ. This scaling appears to be the result of Bloom- Gilman duality in the nucleon structure function combined with the Fermi motion of the nucleons in the nucleus. The resulting extension of scaling to larger values of ξ opens up the possibility of accessing nuclear structure functions in the high-x region at lower values of Q² than previously believed.

We report the first measurement of the vector analyzing power in inclusive transversely polarized elastic electron-proton scattering at Q²=0.1 (GeV/c)² and large scattering angles. This quantity must vanish in the single virtual photon exchange, plane-wave impulse approximation for this reaction, and can therefore provide information on two photon exchange amplitudes for electromagnetic interactions with hadronic systems. The observable we have measured is driven by the imaginary part of the two photon exchange amplitude, the hadronic side of which is simply the Compton amplitude for the proton with two virtual photons. We find a small but nonzero value of A=-15.4±5.4 ppm.

We have measured the transverse asymmetry A_T^′ in ³He→(e→,e^′) quasielastic scattering in Hall A at Jefferson Laboratory with high precision for Q² values from 0.1 to 0.6 (GeV/c)². The neutron magnetic form factor G_Mⁿ was extracted based on Faddeev calculations for Q²  =  0.1 and 0.2 (GeV/c)² with an experimental uncertainty of less than 2%.

We report a new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron scattering from the proton at backward scattering angles. This asymmetry is sensitive to the strange magnetic form factor of the proton as well as electroweak axial radiative corrections. The new measurement of A  =  -4.92±0.61±0.73 ppm provides a significant constraint on these quantities. The implications for the strange magnetic form factor are discussed in the context of theoretical estimates for the axial corrections.

Inclusive electron scattering is measured with 4.045 GeV incident beam energy from C, Fe, and Au targets. The measured energy transfers and angles correspond to a kinematic range for Bjorken x>1 and momentum transfers from Q²  =  1–7 (GeV/c)². When analyzed in terms of the y-scaling function the data show for the first time an approach to scaling for values of the initial nucleon momenta significantly greater than the nuclear matter Fermi momentum (i.e., >0.3 GeV/c).

Measurements are reported of the proton and deuteron spin structure functions g₁^p and g₁^d at beam energies of 29.1, 16.2, and 9.7 GeV, and g₂^p and g₂^d at a beam energy of 29.1 GeV. The integrals Γ_p=∫₀¹g₁^p(x,Q²)dx and Γ_d=∫₀¹g₁^d(x,Q²)dx were evaluated at fixed Q²=3 (GeV/c)² using the full data set to yield Γ_p=0.132±0.003(stat)±0.009(syst) and Γ_d=0.047±0.003±0.006. The Q² dependence of the ratio g₁/F₁ was studied and found to be small for Q²>1 (GeV/c)². Within experimental precision the g₂ data are well described by the twist-2 contribution, g₂^WW. Twist-3 matrix elements were extracted and compared to theoretical predictions. The asymmetry A₂ was measured and found to be significantly smaller than the positivity limit sqrt[R] for both proton and deuteron targets. A₂^p is found to be positive and inconsistent with zero. Measurements of g₁ in the resonance region show strong variations with x and Q², consistent with resonant amplitudes extracted from unpolarized data. These data allow us to study the Q² dependence of the integrals Γ_p and Γ_n below the scaling region.