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.

Evidence for Strange-Quark Contributions to the Nucleon’s Form Factors atQ2=0.108   (GeV/c)2

We report on a measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons off unpolarized protons with the A4 apparatus at MAMI in Mainz at a four momentum transfer value of ${Q}^{2}=0.108\text{ }(\mathrm{GeV}/c{)}^{2}$ and at a forward electron scattering angle of $30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}l{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{e}l40\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$. The measured asymmetry is ${A}_{LR}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{e}p)=[\ensuremath{-}1.36\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.29(\mathrm{stat})\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13(\mathrm{syst})]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$. The expectation from the standard model as…

Parity violating electron scattering at MAMI

The investigation of the structure of the nucleon can help to understand the non-pertubative regime of the QCD. In the viewpoint of QCD, the nucleon is made up of constituent quarks, sea quarks and gluons. The nucleon structure can be described by the electromagnetic form factors. Parity violating electron scattering offers a tool to investigate the strange quark contribution to the nucleon form factors. Such measurements are carried out at the electron accelerator facility MAMI at Mainz. Recent results are presented here.

A Monte-Carlo method to analyze the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon

Parity violating elastic electron-nucleon scattering allows to determine the vector stangeness content of the nucleon. The final uncertainty on the strange form factors is limited, among other parameters, by the uncertainty on the electromagnetic form factors. These are usually fitted with a functional form constrained by boundary conditions at Q 2= 0 and at large Q 2. These conditions induce huge correlations between parameters which are not taken into account to full extent by purely statistical methods. We describe here a Monte-Carlo method which accounts for correlations between parameters to all orders. We also propose a method for taking into account some systematical errors induced b…

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…

From deep inside to outer space: exploring neutron skins

Study of Two-Photon Exchange via the Beam Transverse Single Spin Asymmetry in Electron-Proton Elastic Scattering at Forward Angles over a Wide Energy Range

We report on a new measurement of the beam transverse single spin asymmetry in electron-proton elastic scattering, $A^{ep}_{\perp}$, at five beam energies from 315.1 MeV to 1508.4 MeV and at a scattering angle of $30^{\circ} < \theta < 40^{\circ}$. The covered $Q^2$ values are 0.032, 0.057, 0.082, 0.218, 0.613 (GeV/c)$^2$. The measurement clearly indicates significant inelastic contributions to the two-photon-exchange (TPE) amplitude in the low-$Q^2$ kinematic region. No theoretical calculation is able to reproduce our result. Comparison with a calculation based on unitarity, which only takes into account elastic and $\mathrm{\pi N}$ inelastic intermediate states, suggests that there are ot…

Measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in the quasielastic electron-deuteron scattering and improved determination of the magnetic strange form factor and the isovector anapole radiative correction

A new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the electron-deuteron quasielastic scattering for backward angles at $⟨{Q}^{2}⟩=0.224\text{ }\text{ }{(\mathrm{GeV}/c)}^{2}$, obtained in the A4 experiment at the Mainz Microtron accelerator (MAMI) facility, is presented. The measured asymmetry is ${A}_{PV}^{d}=(\ensuremath{-}20.11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8{7}_{\mathrm{stat}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1.0{3}_{\mathrm{sys}})\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$. A combination of these data with the proton measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry in the A4 experiment yields a value for the effective isovector axial-vector form facto…

Parity-violating electron scattering at MAMI

A measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic scattering of polarized electrons on protons is currently running within the A4 Collaboration at the MAMI facility in Mainz. The aim is to reveal the contribution of strange quarks to the form factors of the nucleon at a Q 2 = 0.23 GeV2. The expected asymmetry without strangeness is around 5.4 × 10−6. After 600 hours of asymmetry data taking, an accuracy of 1 × 10−6 has been achieved.

ASYMMETRIES IN POLARIZED ELECTRON SCATTERING AND THE STRANGENESS CONTENT OF THE NUCLEON

In the viewpoint of QCD, the nucleon is made up of constituent quarks, sea quarks and gluons. Concerning the quark sea, also strange quarks can contribute to the nucleon properties. Parity violating electron scattering offers a tool to investigate the strange quark contribution to the nucleon form factors. The measurements of different experiments are discussed and the recent results from the A4 collaboration at MAMI is presented. Altogether the existing data allow to give constraints on the strangeness contribution.

Measurement of the Transverse Beam Spin Asymmetry in Elastic Electron Proton Scattering and the Inelastic Contribution to the Imaginary Part of the Two-Photon Exchange Amplitude

We report on a measurement of the asymmetry in the scattering of transversely polarized electrons off unpolarized protons, A$_\perp$, at two Q$^2$ values of \qsquaredaveragedlow (GeV/c)$^2$ and \qsquaredaveragedhighII (GeV/c)$^2$ and a scattering angle of $30^\circ &lt; ��_e &lt; 40^\circ$. The measured transverse asymmetries are A$_{\perp}$(Q$^2$ = \qsquaredaveragedlow (GeV/c)$^2$) = (\experimentalasymmetry alulowcorr $\pm$ \statisticalerrorlow$_{\rm stat}$ $\pm$ \combinedsyspolerrorlowalucor$_{\rm sys}$) $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ and A$_{\perp}$(Q$^2$ = \qsquaredaveragedhighII (GeV/c)$^2$) = (\experimentalasymme tryaluhighcorr $\pm$ \statisticalerrorhigh$_{\rm stat}$ $\pm$ \combinedsyspolerrorhi…

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 …

Instrumentation and optimization studies for a beam dump experiment (BDX) at MESA — DarkMESA

Abstract At the Institute for Nuclear Physics in Mainz the new electron accelerator MESA will go into operation within the next years. The high-power beam dump of the P2 experiment is ideally suited for a parasitic dark sector experiment — DarkMESA. In the first stage 1,000 high density Cherenkov radiators from a previous experiment will be used. The experiment is studied with a simulation based on MadGraph and Geant4 . The simulation includes an optical photon study, where the response of possible calorimeter materials – PbF 2, BGO, the Pb glasses SF5, SF6 and SF57HTultra from Schott – was investigated. The simulation outcomes are compared with the results of prototypes tested at the Mainz…

Measurement of Strange-Quark Contributions to the Nucleon's Form Factors atQ2=0.230   (GeV/c)2

We report on a measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons on unpolarized protons at a Q2 of 0.230 (GeV/c)(2) and a scattering angle of theta (e) = 30 degrees - 40 degrees. Using a large acceptance fast PbF2 calorimeter with a solid angle of delta omega = 0.62 sr, the A4 experiment is the first parity violation experiment to count individual scattering events. The measured asymmetry is A(phys)=(-5.44+/-0.54(stat)+/-0.26(sys))x10(-6). The standard model expectation assuming no strangeness contributions to the vector form factors is A(0) = (-6.30+/-0.43) x 10(-6). The difference is a direct measurement of the strangeness contribution t…

Real-time calibration of the A4 electromagnetic lead fluoride (PbF2) calorimeter

Abstract Sufficient energy resolution is the key issue for the calorimetry in particle and nuclear physics. The calorimeter of the A4 parity violation experiment at MAMI is a segmented calorimeter where the energy of an event is determined by summing the signals of neighboring channels. In this case, the precise matching of the individual modules is crucial to obtain a good energy resolution. We have developed a calibration procedure for our total absorbing electromagnetic calorimeter which consists of 1022 lead fluoride (PbF 2 ) crystals. This procedure reconstructs the single-module contributions to the events by solving a linear system of equations, involving the inversion of a 1022×1022…

Beam-normal single spin asymmetry in elastic electron scattering off Si and Zr

We report on a new measurement of the beam-normal single spin asymmetry An in the elastic scattering of 570 MeV transversely polarized electrons off $^{28}$Si and $^{90}$Zr at Q2=0.04 GeV2/c2. 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 Strange Quark Contributions to the Vector Form Factors of the Proton atQ2=0.22  (GeV/c)2

A new measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in elastic electron scattering on hydrogen at backward angles and at a four momentum transfer of Q{sup 2}=0.22 (GeV/c){sup 2} is reported here. The measured asymmetry is A{sub LR}=(-17.23{+-}0.82{sub stat}{+-}0.89{sub syst})x10{sup -6}. The standard model prediction assuming no strangeness is A{sub 0}=(-15.87{+-}1.22)x10{sup -6}. In combination with previous results from measurements at forward angles, it is possible to disentangle for the first time the strange form factors at this momentum transfer, G{sub E}{sup s}=0.050{+-}0.038{+-}0.019 and G{sub M}{sup s}=-0.14{+-}0.11{+-}0.11.

A high power liquid hydrogen target for the Mainz A4 parity violation experiment

We present a new powerful liquid hydrogen target developed for the precise study of parity violating electron scattering on hydrogen and deuterium. This target has been designed to have minimal target density fluctuations under the heat load of a 20$\mu$A CW 854.3 MeV electron beam without rastering the electron beam. The target cell has a wide aperture for scattered electrons and is axially symmetric around the beam axis. The construction is optimized to intensify heat exchange by a transverse turbulent mixing in the hydrogen stream, which is directed along the electron beam. The target is constructed as a closed loop circulating system cooled by a helium refrigerator. It is operated by a …

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.

New Measurements of the Beam Normal Spin Asymmetries at Large Backward Angles with Hydrogen and Deuterium Targets

International audience; New measurements of the beam normal single spin asymmetry in the electron elastic and quasielastic scattering on the proton and deuteron, respectively, at large backward angles and at ⟨Q2⟩=0.22  (GeV/c)2 and ⟨Q2⟩=0.35  ( GeV/c)2 are reported. The experimentally observed asymmetries are compared with the theoretical calculation of Pasquini and Vanderhaeghen [Phys. Rev. C 70, 045206 (2004).PRVCAN0556-281310.1103/PhysRevC.70.045206]. The agreement of the measurements with the theoretical calculations shows a dominance of the inelastic intermediate excited states of the nucleon, πN and the Δ resonance. The measurements explore a new, important parameter region of the exc…

Study of light backgrounds from relativistic electrons in air light-guides

The MOLLER experiment proposed at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility plans a precision low energy determination of the weak mixing angle via the measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the scattering of high energy longitudinally polarized electrons from electrons bound in a liquid hydrogen target (M{\o}ller scattering). A relative measure of the scattering rate is planned to be obtained by intercepting the M{\o}ller scattered electrons with a circular array of thin fused silica tiles attached to air light guides, which facilitate the transport of Cherenkov photons generated within the tiles to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The scattered flux will also pass through …

A luminosity monitor for the A4 parity violation experiment at MAMI

A water Cherenkov luminosity monitor system with associated electronics has been developed for the A4 parity violation experiment at MAMI. The detector system measures the luminosity of the hydrogen target hit by the MAMI electron beam and monitors the stability of the liquid hydrogen target. Both is required for the precise study of the count rate asymmetries in the scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons on unpolarized protons. Any helicity correlated fluctuation of the target density leads to false asymmetries. The performance of the luminosity monitor, investigated in about 2000 hours with electron beam, and the results of its application in the A4 experiment are presented.