0000000000054546
AUTHOR
M. O. Distler
Quasi-elastic polarization-transfer measurements on the deuteron in anti-parallel kinematics
We present measurements of the polarization-transfer components in the H2(e→,e′p→) reaction, covering a previously unexplored kinematic region with large positive (anti-parallel) missing momentum, pmiss, up to 220MeV/c, and Q2=0.65 (GeV/c)2. These measurements, performed at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI), were motivated by theoretical calculations which predict small final-state interaction (FSI) effects in these kinematics, making them favorable for searching for medium modifications of bound nucleons in nuclei. We find in this kinematic region that the measured polarization-transfer components Px and Pz and their ratio agree with the theoretical calculations, which use free-proton form factor…
Observation ofHΛ4Hyperhydrogen by Decay-Pion Spectroscopy in Electron Scattering
At the Mainz Microtron MAMI, the first high-resolution pion spectroscopy from decays of strange systems was performed by electron scattering off a ^9B
Lowest- Q2 measurement of the γp → Δ reaction: Probing the pionic contribution
To determine nonspherical angular momentum amplitudes in hadrons at long ranges (low Q^2), data were taken for the p(\vec{e},e'p)\pi^0 reaction in the Delta region at Q^2=0.060 (GeV/c)^2 utilizing the magnetic spectrometers of the A1 Collaboration at MAMI. The results for the dominant transition magnetic dipole amplitude and the quadrupole to dipole ratios at W=1232 MeV are: M_{1+}^{3/2} = (40.33 +/- 0.63_{stat+syst} +/- 0.61_{model}) (10^{-3}/m_{\pi^+}),Re(E_{1+}^{3/2}/M_{1+}^{3/2}) = (-2.28 +/- 0.29_{stat+syst} +/- 0.20_{model})%, and Re(S_{1+}^{3/2}/M_{1+}^{3/2}) = (-4.81 +/- 0.27_{stat+syst} +/- 0.26_{model})%. These disagree with predictions of constituent quark models but are in reaso…
Real and Virtual Compton Scattering (experiments)
This paper deals with Real and Virtual Compton Scattering off the proton at threshold and the way to deduce information about the nucleon polarizabilities.
No evidence for medium effects in the12C(e, e'p)11Bg.s. reaction
The12C(e, e'p)11B g.s reaction has been measured in parallel and anti-parallel kinematics over ap m range of −120<p m<120 MeV/c at a centralT p of 90 MeV. In contrast to previous measurements at NIKHEF, both kinematics can be described without enhancement of the transverse form factor of the bound proton (η=0.98(5)). The spectroscopic factor for this transition as determined with the new Mainz data (S α =1.54(5)) is 22% smaller than the NIKHEF value.
Measurement of the Generalized Polarizabilities of the Proton at Intermediate $Q^2$
Background: Generalized polarizabilities (GPs) are important observables to describe the nucleon structure, and measurements of these observables are still scarce. Purpose: This paper presents details of a virtual Compton scattering (VCS) experiment, performed at the A1 setup at the Mainz Microtron by studying the $e p \to e p \gamma$ reaction. The article focuses on selected aspects of the analysis. Method: The experiment extracted the $P_{LL} -P_{TT} / \epsilon$ and $P_{LT}$ structure functions, as well as the electric and magnetic GPs of the proton, at three new values of the four-momentum transfer squared $Q^2$: 0.10, 0.20 and 0.45 GeV$^2$. Results: We emphasize the importance of the ca…
The first Virtual Compton Scattering experiment at MAMI
Abstract Virtual Compton scattering, i.e. the exclusive reaction γ ∗ p → γ′p′ with γ ∗ denoting a virtual photon, provides new insights on the internal structure of the proton. Below π 0 production threshold, this experiment measures the generalized polarizabilities of the proton as defined by Guichon et al [1], [2] and Drechsel et al [3]. These new electromagnetic observables, functions of Q 2 , enlarge the concept of electric (α0 and magnetic (β) polarizabilities in Real Compton Scattering ( Q 2 =0) [4]. The first VCS experiment [5] of this kind was measured at the three spectrometer facility at the Mainz Microtron MAMI for Q 2 =0.33 GeV 2 and we present in this paper the preliminary resu…
Noise and radiation damage in silicon photomultipliers exposed to electromagnetic and hadronic radiation
For the electron arm tracking system in the KAOS spectrometer at the Mainz Microtron MAMI a detector based on 2 m long scintillating fibres read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) is planned. Because of the detector's close proximity to the intense electron beam a study of noise and radiation damage in SiPM has been performed. A sample of devices was exposed directly to a 14 MeV electron beam and to a mixed radiation field in the experimental area. First noticeable effects are a large increase in the dark count rate and a severe loss of the gain uniformity.
Monte Carlo simulation of virtual Compton scattering below pion threshold
This paper describes the Monte Carlo simulation developed specifically for the VCS experiments below pion threshold that have been performed at MAMI and JLab. This simulation generates events according to the (Bethe-Heitler + Born) cross section behaviour and takes into account all relevant resolution-deteriorating effects. It determines the `effective' solid angle for the various experimental settings which are used for the precise determination of photon electroproduction absolute cross section.
Particle tracking in kaon electroproduction with cathode-charge sampling in multi-wire proportional chambers
Abstract Wire chambers are routinely operated as tracking detectors in magnetic spectrometers at high-intensity continuous electron beams. Especially in experiments studying reactions with small cross-sections the reaction yield is limited by the background rate in the chambers. One way to determine the track of a charged particle through a multi-wire proportional chamber (MWPC) is the measurement of the charge distribution induced on its cathodes. In practical applications of this read-out method, the algorithm to relate the measured charge distribution to the avalanche position is an important factor for the achievable position resolution and for the track reconstruction efficiency. An al…
Investigation of the conjectured nucleon deformation at low momentum transfer.
We report new precise H$(e,e^\prime p)\pi^0$ measurements at the $\Delta(1232)$ resonance at $Q^2= 0.127$ (GeV/c)$^2$ using the MIT/Bates out-of-plane scattering (OOPS) facility. The data reported here are particularly sensitive to the transverse electric amplitude ($E2$) of the $\gamma^* N\to\Delta$ transition. Analyzed together with previous data yield precise quadrupole to dipole amplitude ratios $EMR = (-2.3 \pm 0.3_{stat+sys} \pm 0.6_{model})%$ and $CMR = (-6.1 \pm 0.2_{stat+sys}\pm 0.5_{model})%$ and for $M^{3/2}_{1+} = (41.4 \pm 0.3_{stat+sys}\pm 0.4_{model})(10^{-3}/m_{\pi^+})$. They give credence to the conjecture of deformation in hadronic systems favoring, at low $Q^2$, the domin…
Beam-normal single spin asymmetry in elastic electron scattering off 28Si and 90Zr
We report on a new measurement of the beam-normal single spin asymmetry $A_{\mathrm{n}}$ in the elastic scattering of 570 MeV transversely polarized electrons off $^{28}$Si and $^{90}$Zr at $Q^{2}=0.04\, \mathrm{GeV}^2/c^2$. The studied kinematics allow for a comprehensive comparison with former results on $^{12}$C. No significant mass dependence of the beam-normal single spin asymmetry is observed in the mass regime from $^{12}$C to $^{90}$Zr.
Measurement of the ExclusiveH3e(e,e′p)Reaction Below the Quasielastic Peak
New, high-precision measurements of the 3He(e,ep) reaction using the A1 Collaboration spectrometers at the Mainz microtron MAMI are presented. These were performed in antiparallel kinematics at energy transfers below the quasielastic peak, and at a central momentum transfer of 685 MeV/c. Cross sections and distorted momentum distributions were extracted and compared to theoretical predictions and existing data. The longitudinal and transverse behavior of the cross section was also studied. Sizable differences in the cross-section behavior from theoretical predictions based on the plane wave impulse approximation were observed in both the two- and three-body breakup channels. Full Faddeev-ty…
Components of polarization-transfer to a bound proton in a deuteron measured by quasi-elastic electron scattering
We report the first measurements of the transverse (Px and Py) and longitudinal (Pz) components of the polarization transfer to a bound proton in the deuteron via the H2(e→,e′p→) reaction, over a wide range of missing momentum. A precise determination of the electron beam polarization reduces the systematic uncertainties on the individual components to a level that enables a detailed comparison to a state-of-the-art calculation of the deuteron using free-proton electromagnetic form factors. We observe very good agreement between the measured and the calculated Px/Pz ratios, but deviations of the individual components. Our results cannot be explained by medium modified electromagnetic form f…
The influence of Fermi motion on the comparison of the polarization transfer to a proton in elastic e→p and quasi-elastic e→A scattering
Abstract A comparison between polarization-transfer to a bound proton in quasi-free kinematics by the A ( e → , e ′ p → ) knockout reaction and that in elastic scattering off a free proton can provide information on the characteristics of the bound proton. In the past the reported measurements have been compared to those of a free proton with zero initial momentum. We introduce, for the first time, expressions for the polarization-transfer components when the proton is initially in motion and compare them to the 2H data measured at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). We show the ratios of the transverse ( P x ) and longitudinal ( P z ) components of the polarization transfer in H 2 ( e → , e ′ p → …
Search at the Mainz Microtron for light massive gauge bosons relevant for the muon g-2 anomaly.
A massive, but light, Abelian U(1) gauge boson is a well-motivated possible signature of physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. In this Letter, the search for the signal of such a U(1) gauge boson in electron-positron pair production at the spectrometer setup of the A1 Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron is described. Exclusion limits in the mass range of 40 MeV/c^{2} to 300 MeV/c^{2}, with a sensitivity in the squared mixing parameter of as little as ε^{2}=8×10^{-7} are presented. A large fraction of the parameter space has been excluded where the discrepancy of the measured anomalous magnetic moment of the muon with theory might be explained by an additional U(1) gauge …
The frontiers of the virtual photons program at MAMI
The most recent results and the future physics program of the high precision electron-scattering experiment at MAMI are briefly outlined. The A1 high-resolution spectrometers facility allows for a unique quality of virtual photon experiments. High precision form factor measurements, few-baryon systems highresolution structure studies and the innovative way in the search of dark photons illustrate the interplay between such diverse fields as precision atomic physics, nuclear astrophysics and astroparticle physics, where hadron physics plays a central and connecting role.
Measurement of the Recoil Polarization in thep(e→,e′p→)π0Reaction at theΔ(1232)Resonance
The recoil proton polarization has been measured in the $p(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{e}{,e}^{\ensuremath{'}}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}){\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ reaction in parallel kinematics around $W\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1232\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$, ${Q}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.121\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(\mathrm{GeV}/c{)}^{2}$, and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.718$ using the polarized cw electron beam of the Mainz Microtron. All three proton polarization components, ${P}_{x}/{P}_{e}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(\ensuremath{-…
Precise pion electroproduction in thep(e, e? ?+)n reaction at W=1125 MeV
The reactione+p →> e+π ++n at c.m. energyW=1125MeV and momentum transfer Q2=0.117GeV2/c2 has been measured. The transverse and longitudinal structure functions have been separated by varying the polarization of the virtual photon (Rosenbluth plot) with a 3 to 4% error. In addition the longitudinal-transverse interference term has been determined measuring the right-left asymmetry with an accuracy of 3%. The experimental data are compared to model calculations, and the sensitivity of the results to the axial and pion formfactors is discussed.
Measurements of the induced polarization in the quasi-elastic A(e,e′p→) process in non-coplanar kinematics
Abstract We report measurements of the induced polarization P → of protons knocked out from 2H and 12C via the A ( e , e ′ p → ) reaction. We have studied the dependence of P → on two kinematic variables: the missing momentum p miss and the “off-coplanarity” angle ϕ p q between the scattering and reaction planes. For the full 360° range in ϕ p q , both the normal ( P y ) and, for the first time, the transverse ( P x ) components of the induced polarization were measured with respect to the coordinate system associated with the scattering plane. P x vanishes in coplanar kinematics, however in non-coplanar kinematics, it is on the same scale as P y . We find that the dependence on ϕ p q is si…
Determination of quadrupole strengths in the γ∗p→Δ(1232) transition at Q2=0.20(GeV/c)2
Abstract We report new precise p ( e → , e ′ p ) π 0 measurements at the peak of the Δ + ( 1232 ) resonance at Q 2 = 0.20 ( GeV / c ) 2 performed at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). The new data are sensitive to both the electric (E2) and the Coulomb (C2) quadrupole amplitudes of the γ ∗ N → Δ transition. They yield precise quadrupole to dipole amplitude ratios: CMR = ( − 5.09 ± 0.28 stat + sys ± 0.30 model ) % and EMR = ( − 1.96 ± 0.68 stat + sys ± 0.41 model ) % for M 1 + 3 / 2 = ( 39.57 ± 0.75 stat + sys ± 0.40 model ) ( 10 −3 / m π + ) . The new results are in disagreement with Constituent Quark Model predictions and in qualitative agreement with models that account for mesonic contributions…
Virtual Compton Scattering and polarizabilities
Abstract Virtual Compton Scattering (VCS) off the proton below pion threshold allows access to generalized polarizabilities of the proton. These observables measure the response of the nucleon to low energy electromagnetic field perturbations. This paper presents a comparison with Real Compton Scattering and also results for the first dedicated VCS experiment performed at the Mainz Microtron MAMI with high resolution spectrometers at Q2 = 0.33 GeV2.
Precise measurements of the neutron magnetic form factor
Abstract The neutron magnetic form factor Gmn has been determined via a measurement of the ratio of cross sections D(e,e′n) and D(e,e′p). The absolute detection efficiency of the neutron detector was measured with high accuracy using tagged neutrons produced from H(n,p)n elastic scattering by means of a high intensity neutron beam. This approach minimizes the model dependence and improves upon the weakest points of previous experiments. Data in the range q2=0.2–0.8 (GeV/c)2 with uncertainties of
Measurements of the electron-helicity asymmetry in the quasi-elastic A(e→,e′p) process
Abstract We present measurements of the electron helicity asymmetry in quasi-elastic proton knockout from 2H and 12C nuclei by polarized electrons. This asymmetry depends on the fifth structure function, is antisymmetric with respect to the scattering plane, and vanishes in the absence of final-state interactions, and thus it provides a sensitive tool for their study. Our kinematics cover the full range in off-coplanarity angle ϕ p q , with a polar angle θ p q coverage up to about 8°. The missing energy resolution enabled us to determine the asymmetries for knock-out resulting in different states of the residual 11B system. We find that the helicity asymmetry for p-shell knockout from 12C d…
First measurement of proton's charge form factor at very low $Q^2$ with initial state radiation
We report on a new experimental method based on initial-state radiation (ISR) in e-p scattering, in which the radiative tail of the elastic e-p peak contains information on the proton charge form factor ($G_E^p$) at extremely small $Q^2$. The ISR technique was validated in a dedicated experiment using the spectrometers of the A1-Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). This provided first measurements of $G_E^p$ for $0.001\leq Q^2\leq 0.004 (GeV/c)^2$.
Ground-state binding energy of HΛ4 from high-resolution decay-pion spectroscopy
Abstract A systematic study on the Λ ground state binding energy of hyperhydrogen H Λ 4 measured at the Mainz Microtron MAMI is presented. The energy was deduced from the spectroscopy of mono-energetic pions from the two-body decays of hyperfragments, which were produced and stopped in a 9Be target. First data, taken in the year 2012 with a high resolution magnetic spectrometer, demonstrated an almost one order of magnitude higher precision than emulsion data, while being limited by systematic uncertainties. In 2014 an extended measurement campaign was performed with improved control over systematic effects, increasing the yield of hypernuclei and confirming the observation with two indepen…
The horizontal drift chambers for the focal plane proton-polarimeter of the 3-spectrometer setup at MAMI
Abstract Large-area horizontal drift chambers have been built for use in a proton polarimeter. A gas mixture of 20% argon and 80% ethane is used. The left–right assignment is achieved by measuring the difference of the signals induced on neighboring potential wires. A spatial resolution of 300 μm is achieved.
Feasibility study for the measurement of πN transition distribution amplitudes at P¯ANDA in p¯p→J/ψπ0
The exclusive charmonium production process in (P) over barp annihilation with an associated pi 0 meson (p) over barp -> J/psi pi(0) is studied in the framework of QCD collinear factorization. The feasibility of measuring this reaction through the J/psi -> e(+) e(-) decay channel with the AntiProton ANnihilation at DArmstadt ((P) over bar ANDA) experiment is investigated. Simulations on signal reconstruction efficiency as well as the background rejection from various sources including the (P) over barp -> pi(+)pi(-)pi(0) and (p) over barp -> J/psi pi(0)pi(0) reactions are performed with PANDAROOT, the simulation and analysis software framework of the (P) over bar ANDA experiment. It is show…
Measurement of GEp/GMp via polarization transfer at Q2 = 0.4 GeV /c2
The polarization transfer from longitudinally polarized electrons to protons in the elastic scattering p( e, e' p) has been measured around Q2 = 0.4 (GeV/c)2 with the three-spectrometer facility at the Mainz microtron MAMI. From this polarization transfer the ratio G Ep/(G Mp/μp) has been determined. The ratio is found to be slightly less than unity in agreement with recent results from other laboratories and from the Rosenbluth separation of cross-sections measured with unpolarized electrons.
Search for Light Gauge Bosons of the Dark Sector at the Mainz Microtron
A new exclusion limit for the electromagnetic production of a light U(1) gauge boson {\gamma}' decaying to e^+e^- was determined by the A1 Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron. Such light gauge bosons appear in several extensions of the standard model and are also discussed as candidates for the interaction of dark matter with standard model matter. In electron scattering from a heavy nucleus, the existing limits for a narrow state coupling to e^+e^- were reduced by nearly an order of magnitude in the range of the lepton pair mass of 210 MeV/c^2 < m_e^+e^- < 300 MeV/c^2. This experiment demonstrates the potential of high current and high resolution fixed target experiments for the search fo…
STATUS OF STRANGENESS ELECTRO-PRODUCTION AT MAMI
At the Institut für Kernphysik in Mainz, Germany, the microtron MAMI has been upgraded to 1.5 GeV electron beam energy and can now be used to study strange hadronic systems. The magnetic spectrometer KAOS from GSI was dismantled and re-installed in the spectrometer facility operated by the A1 collaboration. The spectrometer's primary purpose is to study strangeness electro-production. Its compact design and its capability to detect negative and positive charged particles simultaneously under forward scattering angles complements the existing spectrometers. In 2008, an important milestone has been reached by the successful measurement of kaon production off a liquid hydrogen target. The ide…
High-Precision Determination of the Electric and Magnetic Form Factors of the Proton
New precise results of a measurement of the elastic electron-proton scattering cross section performed at the Mainz Microtron MAMI are presented. About 1400 cross sections were measured with negative four-momentum transfers squared up to Q^2=1 (GeV/c)^2 with statistical errors below 0.2%. The electric and magnetic form factors of the proton were extracted by fits of a large variety of form factor models directly to the cross sections. The form factors show some features at the scale of the pion cloud. The charge and magnetic radii are determined to be r_E=0.879(5)(stat.)(4)(syst.)(2)(model)(4)(group) fm and r_M=0.777(13)(stat.)(9)(syst.)(5)(model)(2)(group) fm.
Comparison of recoil polarization in the C12(e→,e′p→) process for protons extracted from s and p shells
Abstract We present the first measurements of the double ratio of the polarization-transfer components ( P x ′ / P z ′ ) p / ( P x ′ / P z ′ ) s for knock-out protons from the s and p shells in C 12 measured by the C 12 ( e → , e ′ p → ) reaction in quasi-elastic kinematics. The data are compared to theoretical predictions in the relativistic distorted-wave impulse approximation. Our results show that the differences between s- and p-shell protons, observed when compared at the same initial momentum (missing momentum), largely disappear when the comparison is done at the same proton virtuality. We observe no difference in medium modifications between protons from the s and p shells with the…
Unpolarized and polarized elementary kaon electroproduction cross sections measured at MAMI
Present and future research into the electroproduction of kaons plays an im- portant role at Mainz Microtron MAMI. With the Kaos spectrometer employed for kaon detection in the multi-spectrometer facility, cross section measurements of the exclusive p(e;e 0 K + ); 0 reactions at low momentum transfers have been performed. Isobar and Regge-plus-resonance models were compared with the data. These measurements have clearly discriminated between e ective Lagrangian models for photo- and electroproduc- tion of strangeness. New experiments with polarized beam at low four-momentum transfer are addressing the imaginary part of the longitudinal-transverse response in this process, that can be separa…
Measurement of polarization-transfer to bound protons in carbon and its virtuality dependence
We measured the ratio Px/Pz of the transverse to longitudinal components of polarization transferred from electrons to bound protons in C12 by the C12(e→,e′p→) process at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). We observed consistent deviations from unity of this ratio normalized to the free-proton ratio, (Px/Pz)C12/(Px/Pz)H1, for both s- and p-shell knocked out protons, even though they are embedded in averaged local densities that differ by about a factor of two. The dependence of the double ratio on proton virtuality is similar to the one for knocked out protons from H2 and He4, suggesting a universal behavior. It further implies no dependence on average local nuclear density.
Investigation of short-range nucleon-nucleon correlations using the reaction in close to 4π geometry
Abstract Two-proton correlations were studied in close to 4 π geometry using the reaction 12 C (e,e′pp) . The beam energy was 705 MeV, the energy transfer 225 MeV, and the three-momentum transfer 412 MeV/c. The electrons were observed in a large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer in coincidence with protons observed in a BGO crystal ball. Missing energy and momentum, relative momentum and angular distributions were derived and compared with a factorized two-nucleon emission model. Soft-core correlation functions are favoured by the data.
In-beam tests of scintillating fibre detectors at MAMI and at GSI
The performance of scintillating fibre detectors was studied with electrons at the spectrometer facility of the Mainz microtron MAMI, as well as in a C-12 beam of 2 AGeV energy and in a beam of different particle species at GSI. Multi-anode photomultipliers were used to read out one or more bundles of 128 fibres each in different geometries. For electrons a time resolution of FWHM = 1 ns was measured in a single detector plane with a detection efficiency epsilon > 99%. A time resolution of 310 ps (FWHM) between two planes of fibres was achieved for carbon ions, leading to a FWHM = 220 ps for a single detector. The hit position residual was measured with a width of FWHM = 0.27 mm. The var…
Polarization-transfer measurement to a large-virtuality bound proton in the deuteron
Possible differences between free and bound protons may be observed in the ratio of polarization-transfer components, $P'_x/P'_z$. We report the measurement of $P'_x/P'_z$, in the $^2\textrm{H}(\vec{e},e^{\prime}\vec{p})n$ reaction at low and high missing momenta. Observed increasing deviation of $P'_x/P'_z$ from that of a free proton as a function of the virtuality, similar to that observed in \hefour, indicates that the effect in nuclei is due to the virtuality of the knock-out proton and not due to the average nuclear density. The measured differences from calculations assuming free-proton form factors ($\sim10\%$), may indicate in-medium modifications.
Measurements of the Generalized Electric and Magnetic Polarizabilities of the Proton at LowQ2Using the Virtual-Compton-Scattering Reaction
Experimental details of a virtual Compton scattering (VCS) experiment performed on the proton at the MIT-Bates out-of-plane scattering facility are presented. The VCS response functions ${P}_{LL}\ensuremath{-}{P}_{TT}/\phantom{{P}_{TT}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ and ${P}_{LT}$ have been measured at ${Q}^{2}=0.057\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}/{c}^{2}$. The generalized electric and magnetic polarizabilities, $\ensuremath{\alpha}({Q}^{2})$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}({Q}^{2})$, and the mean-square electric polarizability radius$\ensuremath{\langle}{r}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}\ensuremath{\rangle}$ are obtained from a dispersion analysis of the data. The resu…
The three-spectrometer facility at the Mainz microtron MAMI
Abstract A set-up of three high-resolution magnetic spectrometers, for simplicity named A, B and C, has been built as the central facility for the precise determination of double and triple coincidence cross sections of hadron knock-out and meson production through the scattering of electrons at the Mainz microtron MAMI. The spectrometers A and C with point-to-point optics in the dispersive plane and parallel-to-point optics in the non-dispersive plane have a solid angle of 28 msr and a momentum acceptance of 20 and 25%, respectively. They each consist of a quadrupole, a sextupole and two dipole magnets, reaching maximum momenta of 735 and 550 MeV/c, respectively. The spectrometer B has a s…
Measurement of the p(e,e′π+)n reaction close to threshold and at low Q2
The cross section of the $p(e,e'\pi^+)n$ reaction has been measured for five kinematic settings at an invariant mass of $W = 1094$ MeV and for a four-momentum transfer of $Q^2 = 0.078$ (GeV/$c$)$^2$. The measurement has been performed at MAMI using a new short-orbit spectrometer (SOS) of the A1 collaboration, intended for detection of low-energy pions. The transverse and longitudinal cross section terms were separated using the Rosenbluth method and the transverse-longitudinal interference term has been determined from the left-right asymmetry. The experimental cross section terms are compared with the calculations of three models: DMT2001, MAID2007 and $\chi$MAID. The results show that we …
Measurement of the partial cross sectionsσTT,σLT, and(σT+ɛσL)of the1H(e,e′π+)nreaction in theΔ(1232)resonance
We report precision {sup 1}H(e, e{sup '{pi}+})n measurements in the {Delta}(1232) resonance at Q{sup 2}=0.127(GeV/c){sup 2} obtained at the MIT-Bates out-of-plane scattering facility. These are the lowest, but nonzero, Q{sup 2} measurements in the {pi}{sup +} channel. The data offer tests of the theoretical calculations, particularly of the background amplitude contributions. The chiral effective field theory and Sato-Lee model calculations are not in agreement with this experiment.
The electronion scattering experiment ELISe at the International Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) - A conceptual design study
The electronion scattering experiment ELISe is part of the installations envisaged at the new experimental storage ring at the International Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt, Germany. It offers an unique opportunity to use electrons as probe in investigations of the structure of exotic nuclei. The conceptual design and the scientific challenges of ELISe are presented. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Virtual Compton Scattering at MAMI γ*p→ γ1p1
The virtual Compton scattering (VCS) is the electron scattering on a proton which radiates a real photon before being detected. The new observables, called Generalized Polarizabilities (GP), extracted from this VCS at threshold can be understood as the deformation of the charge and current distributions of the proton [1]. These GP are functions of the mass of the virtual photon Q2. In real Compton scattering (Q2 = 0), some polarizabilities of the nucleon are already measured [2]. With the VCS, we will generalize these observables by measuring them at different values of Q2.
Overview of the electromagnetic production of strange mesons at MAMI
Abstract The Mainz Microtron MAMI provides a continuous-wave unpolarized or spin-polarized electron beam with energies up to 1.6 GeV and high degrees of polarization. Electro-production of strange mesons is performed in the multi-spectrometer facility with the Kaos spectrometer for kaon detection and a high-resolution spectrometer for electron detection in plane or out of plane. Differential cross section measurements of exclusive p ( e , e ′ K + ) Λ , Σ 0 reactions at low four-momentum transfers in the nucleonʼs third resonance region have been done, followed by a measurement of the beam helicity asymmetry for p ( e → , e ′ K + ) Λ . These studies are important for the understanding of the…
New Insight in the $Q^2$-Dependence of Proton Generalized Polarizabilities
Virtual Compton scattering on the proton has been investigated at three yet unexplored values of the four-momentum transfer $Q^2$: 0.10, 0.20 and 0.45 GeV$^2$, at the Mainz Microtron. Fits performed using either the low-energy theorem or dispersion relations allowed the extraction of the structure functions $P_{LL} -P_{TT} / \epsilon$ and $P_{LT}$, as well as the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities $\alpha_{E1}(Q^2)$ and $\beta_{M1}(Q^2)$. These new results show a smooth and rapid fall-off of $\alpha_{E1}(Q^2)$, in contrast to previous measurements at $Q^2$ = 0.33 GeV$^2$, and provide for the first time a precise mapping of $\beta_{M1}(Q^2)$ in the low-$Q^2$ region.
Operation and characterization of a windowless gas jet target in high-intensity electron beams
Abstract A cryogenic supersonic gas jet target was developed for the MAGIX experiment at the high-intensity electron accelerator MESA. It will be operated as an internal, windowless target in the energy-recovering recirculation arc of the accelerator with different target gases, e.g., hydrogen, deuterium , helium, oxygen, argon, or xenon. Detailed studies have been carried out at the existing A1 multi-spectrometer facility at the electron accelerator MAMI. This paper focuses on the developed handling procedures and diagnostic tools, and on the performance of the gas jet target under beam conditions. Considering the special features of this type of target, it proves to be well suited for a n…
A short-orbit spectrometer for low-energy pion detection in electroproduction experiments at MAMI
A new Short-Orbit Spectrometer (SOS) has been constructed and installed within the experimental facility of the A1 collaboration at Mainz Microtron (MAMI), with the goal to detect low-energy pions. It is equipped with a Browne-Buechner magnet and a detector system consisting of two helium-ethane based drift chambers and a scintillator telescope made of five layers. The detector system allows detection of pions in the momentum range of 50 - 147 MeV/c, which corresponds to 8.7 - 63 MeV kinetic energy. The spectrometer can be placed at a distance range of 54 - 66 cm from the target center. Two collimators are available for the measurements, one having 1.8 msr aperture and the other having 7 ms…
Model-independent separation of structure functions over an extended kinematical region
A method for the separation of structure functions in (e, e′ p) experiments is proposed, which is an extension of the traditional Rosenbluth-type techniques of [1,2]. In our approach, we use a very flexible Ansatz to describe the structure functions within an extended kinematical regionG and determine its free parameters with a x2 minimization. The procedure is tested by pseudo data (12C(e, e′p)11Bg.s.) in the quasi-free region.
Measurement of propagation time dispersion in a scintillator
One contribution to the time resolution of a scintillation detector is the signal time spread due to path length variations of the detected photons from a point source. In an experimental study a rectangular scintillator was excited by means of a fast pulsed ultraviolet laser at different positions along its longitudinal axis. Timing measurements with a photomultiplier tube in a detection plane displaced from the scintillator end face showed a correlation between signal time and tube position indicating only a small distortion of photon angles during transmission. The data is in good agreement with a Monte Carlo simulation used to compute the average photon angle with respect to the detecti…
Experimental investigations of the hypernucleus $_Λ^4$H
International audience; Negatively charged pions from two-body decays of stopped _Lambda^4H hypernuclei were studied in 2012 at the Mainz Microtron MAMI, Germany. The momenta of the decay-pions were measured with unprecedented precision by using high-resolution magnetic spectrometers. A challenge of the experiment was the tagging of kaons from associated K^+∧ production off a Be target at very forward angles. In the year 2014, this experiment was continued with a better control of the systematic uncertainties, with better suppression of coincident and random background, improved particle identification, and with higher luminosities. Another key point of the progress was the improvemen…
Pion electroproduction in the 3He(e,é π+)3H reaction at intermediate energies
Abstract The differential coincident pion electroproduction cross section in the 3 He(e,e π + ) 3 H reaction has been measured with high resolution with the three-spectrometer set-up at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) electron accelerator. Measurements were performed at the four incident energies E 0 = 855, 675, 600, and 555 MeV at fixed four-momentum transfer Q 2 = 0.045 GeV 2 , with the pions detected in parallel kinematics. This enables a separation of the measured cross section into the transverse and longitudinal structure functions by means of the Rosenbluth method. The experimental data are compared to model calculations, in which the elementary pion production amplitude includes the stan…
The RMS charge radius of the proton and Zemach moments
On the basis of recent precise measurements of the electric form factor of the proton, the Zemach moments, needed as input parameters for the determination of the proton rms radius from the measurement of the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen, are calculated. It turns out that the new moments give an uncertainty as large as the presently stated error of the recent Lamb shift measurement of Pohl et al.. De Rujula's idea of a large Zemach moment in order to reconcile the five standard deviation discrepancy between the muonic Lamb shift determination and the result of electronic experiments is shown to be in clear contradiction with experiment. Alternative explanations are touched upon.
Polarization transfer to bound protons measured by quasi-elastic electron scattering on $^{12}$C
We report the measurements of the transverse ($P'x$) and longitudinal ($P'z$) components of the polarization transfer to a bound proton in carbon via the quasi-free $^{12}{\rm C}(\vec e,e'\vec p)$ reaction, over a wide range of missing momenta. We determine these polarization-transfers separately for protons knocked out from the $s$- and $p$-shells. The electron-beam polarization was measured to determine the individual components with systematic uncertainties which allow a detailed comparison with theoretical calculations.
Silicon Detector Telescope for proton detection in electron scattering reactions at MAMI
Abstract A new Silicon Detector Telescope has been constructed and installed within the experimental facility of the A1 collaboration at Mainz Microtron, with the goal to detect low-energy protons. It consists of seven silicon layers for energy and angle measurement and a plastic scintillator for triggering purposes. The detector subtends a solid angle up to 88 msr, depending on the distance from the target and covers the proton kinetic energy range of 25–41 MeV with the mean energy resolution σ E = 0.47 MeV , operating at 500 kHz. Digital signal processing methods applied for energy reconstruction have been important for keeping the acceptable energy resolution at high counting rates. The…
Polarization transfer in the 4HeH reaction
Abstract Polarization transfer in the 4He ( e → ,e′ p → ) 3 H reaction at a Q2 of 0.4 (GeV/c)2 was measured at the Mainz Microtron MAMI. The ratio of the transverse to the longitudinal polarization components of the ejected protons was compared with the same ratio for elastic ep scattering. The results are consistent with a recent fully relativistic calculation which includes a predicted medium modification of the proton form factor based on a quark–meson coupling model.
Final State Interaction Effects in 3He(e ,e'p)
Abstract Asymmetries in quasi-elastic 3 He ( e → , e ′ p ) have been measured at a momentum transfer of 0.67 (GeV/ c ) 2 and are compared to a calculation which takes into account relativistic kinematics in the final state and a relativistic one-body current operator. With an exact solution of the Faddeev equation for the 3 He -ground state and an approximate treatment of final state interactions in the continuum good agreement is found with the experimental data.
Large recoil momenta in the D(e,e′p)n reaction
Abstract The D(e,e′p)n reaction cross section has been measured for recoil momenta ranging from 17 MeV/c up to 950 MeV/c at momentum transfers between 600 MeV/c and 700 MeV/c. At recoil momenta above 400 MeV/c, the gross features of the cross section are only reproduced if virtual nucleon excitations are included in the calculations.
Strange hadronic physics in electroproduction experiments at the Mainz Microtron
Abstract Present and future research into the electroproduction of strangeness plays an important role at Mainz Microtron MAMI. With the Kaos spectrometer for kaon detection operated in the multi-spectrometer facility first cross section measurements of the exclusive p ( e , e ′ K + ) Λ , Σ 0 reactions at low-momentum transfers have been performed. These measurements have clearly discriminated between effective Lagrangian models for photo- and electroproduction of strangeness. Recently, the Kaos spectrometer was upgraded to a double-arm spectrometer for the measurement of elementary cross sections at very forward scattering angles and for the missing mass spectroscopy of hypernuclear states…
Recoil Polarization and Beam-Recoil Double Polarization Measurement ofηElectroproduction on the Proton in the Region of theS11(1535)Resonance
The beam-recoil double polarization P{sub x{sup '}}{sup h} and P{sub z{sup '}}{sup h} and the recoil polarization P{sub y{sup '}} were measured for the first time for the p(e-vector,e{sup '}p-vector){eta} reaction at a four-momentum transfer of Q{sup 2}=0.1 GeV{sup 2}/c{sup 2} and a center of mass production angle of {theta}=120 deg. at the Mainz Microtron MAMI-C. With a center of mass energy range of 1500 MeV<W<1550 MeV the region of the S{sub 11}(1535) and D{sub 13}(1520) resonance was covered. The results are discussed in the framework of a phenomenological isobar model (Eta-MAID). While P{sub x{sup '}}{sup h} and P{sub z{sup '}}{sup h} are in good agreement with the model, P{sub y{sup '…
Prospects for hypernuclear physics at Mainz: From KAOS@MAMI to PANDA@FAIR
Abstract At the Mainz Microtron hypernuclei are produced by ( e , e ′ K ) reactions. A dedicated kaon spectrometer located at 0° with respect to the electron beam is used to detect kaons emitted in forward direction thus tagging events involving strangeness production. By measuring the momenta of pions from two body weak decays using high resolution magnetic spectrometers one gains direct access to the ground state masses of the produced hyperfragments. At FAIR the PANDA Collaboration intends to produce double-hypernuclei by numbers with an antiproton beam and study their high resolution γ -spectroscopy thus providing for the first time precise information on the level structure of these nu…
Vertical Beam Polarization at MAMI
For the first time a vertically polarized electron beam has been used for physics experiments at MAMI in the energy range between 180 and 855 MeV. The beam-normal single-spin asymmetry $A_{\mathrm{n}}$, which is a direct probe of higher-order photon exchange beyond the first Born approximation, has been measured in the reaction $^{12}\mathrm C(\vec e,e')^{12}\mathrm C$. Vertical polarization orientation was necessary to measure this asymmetry with the existing experimental setup. In this paper we describe the procedure to orient the electron polarization vector vertically, and the concept of determining both its magnitude and orientation with the available setup. A sophisticated method has …
A highly polarized target for the electron beam at MAMI
Abstract Polarized He 3 from metastability exchange optical pumping (MEOP) is used as an effective polarized neutron target for electron scattering experiments at the MAinz MIcrotron (MAMI). With the present setup an initial polarization of up to 72% has been obtained at the experimental area. A novel calibration technique will be presented which allows the determination of the absolute polarization within a relative uncertainty of 3%.
The first dedicated Virtual Compton Scattering experiment at MAMI
We measured the absolute cross sections for photon electro-production off the proton, ep to ep gamma , with the high resolution spectrometers at MAMI at momentum transfer q=600 MeV/c and photon polarization epsilon =0.62. We covered the momentum range for the outgoing real photon q'=33/111 MeV/c. From the extracted virtual Compton scattering amplitude we deduce values for two structure functions related to the generalized polarizabilities of the proton.
Neutral Pion Threshold Production atQ2=0.05GeV2/c2and Chiral Perturbation Theory
New data are presented on the $p({e,e}^{\ensuremath{'}}p){\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ reaction at threshold at a four-momentum transfer of ${Q}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.05{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}{/c}^{2}$. The data were taken with the three-spectrometer setup of the A1 Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron MAMI. The complete center of mass solid angle was covered up to a center of mass energy of 4 MeV above threshold. Combined with measurements at three different values of the virtual photon polarization $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, the structure functions ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}$, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{L}$, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{TT}}$, and ${\ensuremath{\sigma…
Virtual compton scattering under π0 threshold at Q2=0.33 GeV2. Preliminary results
We have measured the absolute unpolarized cross sections for photon electro-production off the proton ep → epγ with the Three-Spectrometer-Setup at MAMI at a momentum transfer q=600 MeV/c and a virtual photon polarization ɛ=0.62. The momentum q ′ of the outgoing real photon range from 33 to 111 MeV/c. We extracted two combinations of the recently introduced generalized polarizabilities [1,2].
Measurement of the Neutron Electric to Magnetic Form Factor Ratio atQ2=1.58 GeV2Using the ReactionHe→3(e→,e′n)pp
A measurement of beam helicity asymmetries in the reaction $^{3}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{He}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{e},{e}^{\ensuremath{'}}n)pp$ is performed at the Mainz Microtron in quasielastic kinematics to determine the electric to magnetic form factor ratio of the neutron ${G}_{E}^{n}/{G}_{M}^{n}$ at a four-momentum transfer ${Q}^{2}=1.58\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$. Longitudinally polarized electrons are scattered on a highly polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ gas target. The scattered electrons are detected with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer, and the ejected neutrons are detected with a dedicated neutron detector composed of scintillator ba…
High-momentum components in the 1p orbitals of 16O
Abstract We have investigated that part of the proton momentum distribution of 16O that is linked through the (e, e′p) reaction to low-lying discrete states in 15N. The MAMI facility with its new generation of 100%-duty-cycle electron accelerator has allowed to cover in this experiment the previously not accessible momentum range of 265
Kaon Tagging at 0° Scattering Angle for High-Resolution Decay-Pion Spectroscopy
At the Mainz Microtron hypernuclei can be studied by (e,e'K) reactions. By detecting the kaon which is emitted in forward direction, with the KAOS spectrometer placed at 0 scattering angle, reactions involving open strangeness production are tagged. High-resolution magnetic spectrometers are then used to coincidentally detect the mono- energetic decay-pions from mesonic two-body weak decays of light hypernuclei at rest. As a pioneering experiment has confirmed, the KAOS spectrometer is exposed to a large flux of background particles, mostly positrons from bremsstrahlung pair production. In order to increase the e ciency of kaon identification the KAOS spectrometer was modi- fied to suppress…
Measurement of the Beam-Helicity Asymmetry in thep(e→,e′p)π0Reaction at the Energy of theΔ(1232)Resonance
In a p((e) over right arrow, e' p)pi(0) out-of-plane coincidence experiment at the three-spectrometer setup of the Mainz Microtron MAMI, the beam-helicity asymmetry has been precisely measured around the energy of the Delta(1232) resonance and Q(2) = 0.2(GeV/c)(2). The results are in disagreement with three up-to-date model calculations. This is interpreted as a lack of understanding of the nonresonant background, which in dynamical models is related to the pion cloud.
First Measurement of the $Q^2$ Dependence of the Beam-Normal Single Spin Asymmetry for Elastic Scattering off Carbon
We report on the first Q^{2}-dependent measurement of the beam-normal single spin asymmetry A_{n} in the elastic scattering of 570 MeV vertically polarized electrons off ^{12}C. We cover the Q^{2} range between 0.02 and 0.05 GeV^{2}/c^{2} and determine A_{n} at four different Q^{2} values. The experimental results are compared to a theoretical calculation that relates A_{n} to the imaginary part of the two-photon exchange amplitude. The result emphasizes that the Q^{2} behavior of A_{n} given by the ratio of the Compton to charge form factors cannot be treated independently of the target nucleus.
Evidence for narrow Δ0(1232) states in the 12 C(e,e'pπ−}11 C Reaction
The reaction 12C(e,e'Δ0)11C →12C(e,e'pπ−)11C was investigated at the Mainz Microtron MAMI in a triple coincidence measurement using the three spectrometer setup of the A1 Collaboration. The good missing mass resolution of σm= 0.27 MeV/c2 allowed to select the events belonging to the ground state of 11C. Cutting on these events the excitation energy spectra of 12CΔ0 show evidence for two peaks of about 4 MeV width (FWHM) at 282 MeV and 296 MeV with a significance of about 4.5 standard deviations. The peaks are interpreted in a simple weak coupling model as bound Δ0 states in 12CΔ0.
Deuteron form factor measurements at low momentum transfers
A precise measurement of the elastic electron-deuteron scattering cross section at four-momentum transfers of 0.24 fm−1 ≤ Q ≤ 2.7 fm−1 has been performed at the Mainz Microtron. In this paper we describe the utilized experimental setup and the necessary analysis procedure to precisely determine the deuteron charge form factor from these data. Finally, the deuteron charge radius rd can be extracted from an extrapolation of that form factor to Q 2 = 0.
Beam-Recoil Polarization Measurement of π0 Electroproduction on the Proton in the Region of the Roper Resonance
The helicity-dependent recoil proton polarizations P_{x}^{'} and P_{z}^{'} as well as the helicity-independent component P_{y} have been measured in the p(e[over →],e^{'}p[over →])π^{0} reaction at four-momentum transfer Q^{2}≃0.1 GeV^{2}, center-of-mass proton emission angle θ_{p}^{*}≃90°, and invariant mass W≃1440 MeV. This first precise measurement of double-polarization observables in the energy domain of the Roper resonance P_{11}(1440) by exploiting recoil polarimetry has allowed for the extraction of its scalar electroexcitation amplitude at an unprecedentedly low value of Q^{2}, establishing a powerful instrument for probing the interplay of quark and meson degrees of freedom in t…
Initial state radiation experiment at MAMI
In an attempt to contribute further insight into the discrepancy between the Lamb shift and elastic scattering determinations of the proton charge radius, a new experiment at MAMI is underway, aimed at measuring proton form-factors at very low momentum transfers by using a new technique based on initial state radiation. This paper reports on the conclusions of the pilot measurement performed in 2010, whose main goal was to check the feasibility of the proposed experiment and to recognize and overcome any obstacles before running the full experiment. The modifications to the experimental apparatus are then explained which significantly improved the quality of data collected in the full scale…
First measurements of Λ and hyperons in elementary electroproduction at MAMI
Abstract Since 2008 the magnetic spectrometer Kaos , dedicated to the detection of charged kaons, is operating at the 1.5 GeV electron beam of MAMI at the Institut fur Kernphysik in Mainz, Germany. The strangeness programme performed in 2008–9 is addressing some important issues in the field of elementary kaon photoelectro-production reactions. The identification of Λ and Σ 0 hyperons in the missing mass spectra from kaon production off a liquid hydrogen target demonstrates the capability of the extended facility to perform strangeness electro-production spectroscopy at low momentum transfers Q 2 0.5 ( GeV / c ) 2 . Systematic uncertainties in the cross-section extraction from the data are …