Search Results (78 total)

We present a measurement of the spin-dependent cross sections for the ³He→(e→,e^′)X reaction in the quasielastic and resonance regions at a four-momentum transfer 0.1≤Q²≤0.9  GeV². The spin-structure functions have been extracted and used to evaluate the nuclear Burkhardt-Cottingham and extended Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rules for the first time. The data are also compared to an impulse approximation calculation and an exact three-body Faddeev calculation in the quasielastic region.

The KamLAND experiment has determined a precise value for the neutrino oscillation parameter Δm₂₁² and stringent constraints on θ₁₂. The exposure to nuclear reactor antineutrinos is increased almost fourfold over previous results to 2.44×10³²  proton yr due to longer livetime and an enlarged fiducial volume. An undistorted reactor ν̅ _e energy spectrum is now rejected at >5σ. Analysis of the reactor spectrum above the inverse beta decay energy threshold, and including geoneutrinos, gives a best fit at Δm₂₁²=7.58_-0.13^+0.14(stat)_-0.15^+0.15(syst)×10^-5  eV² and tan⁡²θ₁₂=0.56_-0.07^+0.10(stat)_-0.06^+0.10(syst). Local Δχ² minima at higher and lower Δm₂₁² are disfavored at >4σ. Combining with solar neutrino data, we obtain Δm₂₁²=7.59_-0.21^+0.21×10^-5  eV² and tan⁡²θ₁₂=0.47_-0.05^+0.06.

We report a first study of the depolarization behavior of spin polarized ³He in a mixture of ³He-⁴He at a temperature below the ⁴He λ point in a deuterated tetraphenyl butadiene-doped deuterated polystyrene (dTPB-dPS) coated acrylic cell. In our experiment the measured ³He relaxation time is due to the convolution of the ³He longitudinal relaxation time, T₁, and the diffusion time constant of ³He in superfluid ⁴He since depolarization takes place on the walls. We have obtained a ³He relaxation time of ∼3000 s at a temperature around 1.9 K. We have shown that it is possible to achieve values of wall depolarization probability on the order of (1–2)×10⁻⁷ for polarized ³He in the superfluid ⁴He from a dTPB-dPS coated acrylic surface.

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 perform a global analysis of all recent experimental data from elastic parity-violating electron scattering at low Q². The values of the electric and magnetic strange form factors of the nucleon are determined at Q²=0.1  GeV/c² to be G_E^s=-0.008±0.016 and G_M^s=0.29±0.21.

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.

The Kamioka Liquid scintillator Anti-Neutrino Detector is used in a search for single neutron or two-neutron intranuclear disappearance that would produce holes in the s-shell energy level of ¹²C nuclei. Such holes could be created as a result of nucleon decay into invisible modes (inv), e.g., n→3ν or nn→2ν. The deexcitation of the corresponding daughter nucleus results in a sequence of space and time-correlated events observable in the liquid scintillator detector. We report on new limits for one- and two-neutron disappearance: τ(n→inv)>5.8×10²⁹ years and τ(nn→inv)>1.4×10³⁰ years at 90% C.L. These results represent an improvement of factors of ∼3 and >10⁴ over previous experiments.

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.

We report on a precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in fixed target electron-electron (Møller) scattering: A_PV=[-131±14(stat)±10(syst)]×10^-9, leading to the determination of the weak mixing angle sin⁡²θ_W^eff=0.2397±0.0010(stat)±0.0008(syst), evaluated at Q²=0.026  GeV². Combining this result with the measurements of sin⁡²θ_W^eff at the Z⁰ pole, the running of the weak mixing angle is observed with over 6σ significance. The measurement sets constraints on new physics effects at the TeV scale.

We present results of a study of neutrino oscillation based on a 766 ton/year exposure of KamLAND to reactor antineutrinos. We observe 258 ν̅ _e candidate events with energies above 3.4 MeV compared to 365.2±23.7 events expected in the absence of neutrino oscillation. Accounting for 17.8±7.3 expected background events, the statistical significance for reactor ν̅ _e disappearance is 99.998%. The observed energy spectrum disagrees with the expected spectral shape in the absence of neutrino oscillation at 99.6% significance and prefers the distortion expected from ν̅ _e oscillation effects. A two-neutrino oscillation analysis of the KamLAND data gives Δm²=7.9_-0.5^+0.6×10^-5  eV². A global analysis of data from KamLAND and solar-neutrino experiments yields Δm²=7.9_-0.5^+0.6×10^-5  eV² and tan⁡²θ=0.40_-0.07^+0.10, the most precise determination to date.

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 report a measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in fixed target electron-electron (Møller) scattering: A_PV=[-175±30(stat)±20(syst)]×10^-9. This first direct observation of parity nonconservation in Møller scattering leads to a measurement of the electron’s weak charge at low energy Q_W^e=-0.053±0.011. This is consistent with the standard model expectation at the current level of precision: sin⁡²θ_W(M_Z)_MS̅ =0.2293±0.0024(stat)±0.0016(syst)±0.0006(theory).

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.

Data corresponding to a KamLAND detector exposure of 0.28 kton yr has been used to search for ν̅ _e’s in the energy range 8.3<E_{ν̅ e}<14.8  MeV. No candidates were found for an expected background of 1.1±0.4 events. This result can be used to obtain a limit on ν̅ _e fluxes of any origin. Assuming that all ν̅ _e flux has its origin in the Sun and has the characteristic ⁸B solar ν_e energy spectrum, we obtain an upper limit of 3.7×10²  cm^-2 s^-1 (90% C.L.) on the ν̅ _e flux. We interpret this limit, corresponding to 2.8×10^-4 of the standard solar model ⁸B ν_e flux, in the framework of spin-flavor precession and neutrino decay models.

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.

KamLAND has measured the flux of ν̅ _e’s from distant nuclear reactors. We find fewer ν̅ _e events than expected from standard assumptions about ν̅ _e propagation at the 99.95% C.L. In a 162   ton·yr exposure the ratio of the observed inverse β-decay events to the expected number without ν̅ _e disappearance is 0.611±0.085(stat)±0.041(syst) for ν̅ _e energies >3.4  MeV. In the context of two-flavor neutrino oscillations with CPT invariance, all solutions to the solar neutrino problem except for the “large mixing angle” region are excluded.

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.

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.

Spin transfer in deep-inelastic Λ electroproduction has been studied with the HERMES detector using the 27.6 GeV polarized positron beam in the DESY HERA storage ring. For an average fractional energy transfer 〈z〉=0.45, the longitudinal spin transfer from the virtual photon to the Λ has been extracted. The spin transfer along the Λ momentum direction is found to be 0.11±0.17(stat)±0.03(syst); similar values are found for other possible choices for the longitudinal spin direction of the Λ. This result is the most precise value obtained to date from deep-inelastic scattering with charged lepton beams, and is sensitive to polarized up quark fragmentation to hyperon states. The experimental result is found to be in general agreement with various models of the Λ spin content, and is consistent with the assumption of helicity conservation in the fragmentation process.

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%.

Single-spin asymmetries for semi-inclusive pion production in deep-inelastic scattering have been measured for the first time. A significant target-spin asymmetry of the distribution in the azimuthal angle φ of the pion relative to the lepton scattering plane was formed for π⁺ electroproduction on a longitudinally polarized hydrogen target. The corresponding analyzing power in the sinφ moment of the cross section is 0.022±0.005±0.003. This result can be interpreted as the effect of terms in the cross section involving chiral-odd spin distribution functions in combination with a chiral-odd fragmentation function that is sensitive to the transverse polarization of the fragmenting quark.

We present a measurement of the longitudinal spin asymmetry A_|| in photoproduction of pairs of hadrons with high transverse momentum p_T. Data were accumulated by the HERMES experiment using a 27.5 GeV polarized positron beam and a polarized hydrogen target internal to the HERA storage ring. For h⁺h^- pairs with p_T^h₁>1.5 GeV/c and p_T^h₂>1.0 GeV/c, the measured asymmetry is A_||  =  -0.28±0.12(stat)±0.02(syst). This negative value is in contrast to the positive asymmetries typically measured in deep inelastic scattering from protons, and is interpreted to arise from a positive gluon polarization.