arXiv · hep-ex/9908026
Measurement of the Spin-Density Matrix Elements in Exclusive Electroproduction of rho^0 Mesons at HERA
Abstract
Exclusive electroproduction of rho^0 mesons has been measured using the ZEUS detector at HERA in two Q^2 ranges, 0.25<Q^2<0.85 GeV^2 and 3<Q^2<30 GeV^2. The low-Q^2 data span the range 20<W<90 GeV; the high-Q^2 data cover the 40<W<120 GeV interval. Both samples extend up to four-momentum transfers of |t|=0.6 GeV^2. The distribution in the azimuthal angle between the positron scattering plane and the rho^0 production plane shows a small but significant violation of s-channel helicity conservation, corresponding to the production of longitudinally polarised (i.e. helicity zero) rho^0 mesons from transverse photons. Measurements of the 15 combinations of spin-density matrix elements which completely define the angular distributions are presented and discussed.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
ZEUS Collaboration. 1999-10-23. Measurement of the Spin-Density Matrix Elements in Exclusive Electroproduction of rho^0 Mesons at HERA. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100529900246
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.