0000000000054549
AUTHOR
S. ŠIrca
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…
Polarization observables in deuteron photodisintegration below 360 MeV
High precision measurements of induced and transferred recoil proton polarization in d(polarized gamma, polarized p})n have been performed for photon energies of 277--357 MeV and theta_cm = 20 degrees -- 120 degrees. The measurements were motivated by a longstanding discrepancy between meson-baryon model calculations and data at higher energies. At the low energies of this experiment, theory continues to fail to reproduce the data, indicating that either something is missing in the calculations and/or there is a problem with the accuracy of the nucleon-nucleon potential being used.
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…
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 …
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{-…
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…
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…
Charge Form Factor of the Neutron at Low Momentum Transfer from theH→2(e→,e′n)H1Reaction
We report new measurements of the neutron charge form factor at low momentum transfer using quasielastic electrodisintegration of the deuteron. Longitudinally polarized electrons at an energy of 850 MeV were scattered from an isotopically pure, highly polarized deuterium gas target. The scattered electrons and coincident neutrons were measured by the Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid (BLAST) detector. The neutron form factor ratio ${G}_{E}^{n}/{G}_{M}^{n}$ was extracted from the beam-target vector asymmetry ${A}_{\mathrm{ed}}^{V}$ at four-momentum transfers ${Q}^{2}=0.14$, 0.20, 0.29, and $0.42\text{ }\text{ }(\mathrm{GeV}/c{)}^{2}$.
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 $0.001\leq Q^2\leq 0.004 (GeV/c)^2$.
Detector response of Cherenkov radiators for calorimetry in the energy range below 14 MeV
Abstract A study of the detector response of PbF 2 crystals and three different types of lead glass blocks to electrons from a 14-MeV beam of the Mainz Microtron MAMI is presented. For the first time, signal height, signal width, and homogeneity of the response of these Cherenkov radiators were determined for energies between 10 and 14 MeV. To complement the beam tests, optical properties of the materials, in particular measured transmittances in the near UV and visible spectrum, were studied. The measured detector responses were also compared to Monte Carlo simulations of energy-loss, light production, transport, and detection. These Cherenkov radiators are considered as active material o…
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…
A glimpse of gluons through deeply virtual compton scattering on the proton
The internal structure of nucleons (protons and neutrons) remains one of the greatest outstanding problems in modern nuclear physics. By scattering high-energy electrons off a proton we are able to resolve its fundamental constituents and probe their momenta and positions. Here we investigate the dynamics of quarks and gluons inside nucleons using deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS)—a highly virtual photon scatters off the proton, which subsequently radiates a photon. DVCS interferes with the Bethe-Heitler (BH) process, where the photon is emitted by the electron rather than the proton. We report herein the full determination of the BH-DVCS interference by exploiting the distinct energ…
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…
Electron beam studies of light collection in a scintillating counter with embedded fibers
The light collection of several fiber configurations embedded in a box-shaped plastic scintillating counter was studied by scanning with minimum ionizing electrons. The light was read out by silicon photomultipliers at both ends. The light yield produced by the 855-MeV beam of the Mainz Microtron showed a strong dependence on the transverse distance from the beam position to the fibers. The observations were modeled by attributing the collection of indirect light inside of the counter and of direct light reaching a fiber to the total light yield. The light collection with fibers was compared to that of a scintillating counter without fibers. These studies were carried out within the develop…
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.
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…
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.
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…
The BLAST experiment
The Bates large acceptance spectrometer toroid (BLAST) experiment was operated at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center from 2003 until 2005. The detector and experimental program were designed to study, in a systematic manner, the spin-dependent electromagnetic interaction in few-nucleon systems. As such the data will provide improved measurements for neutron, proton, and deuteron form factors. The data will also allow details of the reaction mechanism, such as the role of final state interactions, pion production, and resonances to be studied. The experiment used: a longitudinally polarized electron beam stored in the South Hall Storage Ring; a highly polarized, isotopically pure, inter…
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 …
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…
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.
Measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in the quasi-elastic Process
We report on a precise measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in electron-induced breakup of He3 proceeding to pd and ppn final states, performed in quasi-elastic kinematics at Q2=0.25(GeV/c)2 for missing momenta up to 250MeV/c. These observables represent highly sensitive tools to investigate the electromagnetic and spin structure of He3 and the relative importance of two- and three-body effects involved in the breakup reaction dynamics. The measured asymmetries cannot be satisfactorily reproduced by state-of-the-art calculations of He3 unless their three-body segment is adjusted, indicating that the spin-dependent part of the nuclear interaction governing the three-body breakup pr…
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…