Precise method for the determination of the neutron electric form factor based on a relativistic analysis of the process $d(e,e'n)p

Abstract

We generalize the recoil polarization method for the determination of the proton form factor to the case of the disintegration of vector polarized deuterons by longitudinally polarized electrons, $\vec d(\vec e, e'n)p$. We suggest to measure for this reaction, in the kinematics of quasi-elastic $en$-scattering, the ratio $R_{xz}=A_x/A_z$ of the asymmetries induced by the $x$- and $z$-components of the deuteron vector polarization. In the framework of the relativistic impulse approximation the ratio $R_{xz}$ is sensitive to $G_{En}$ in a wide interval of momentum transfer squared, whereas it depends weakly on the details of the $np$-interaction and on the choice of the deuteron wave function. Moreover, in the range $0.5\le Q^2\le$1.5 GeV$^2$, the ratio $R_{xz}$ shows a smooth dependence on $Q^2$, making the analysis simpler.