arXiv · nucl-th/9707006
Polarization Phenomena in Small-Angle Photoproduction of e+e- Pairs and the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn Sum Rule
Abstract
Photoproduction of $e^+e^-$ pairs at small angles is investigated as a tool to determine the functions $f_1$ and $f_2$ entering the real-photon forward Compton scattering amplitude. The method is based on an interference of the Bethe-Heitler and the virtual Compton scattering mechanisms, generating an azimuthal asymmetry in the $e^+$ versus $e^-$ yield. The general case of a circularly polarized beam and a longitudinally polarized target allows one to determine both the real and imaginary parts of $f_1$ as well as $f_2$. The imaginary part of $f_2$ requires target polarization only. We calculate cross sections and asymmetries of the reaction $p(γ,e^+e^-)p$, estimate corrections and backgrounds, and propose suitable kinematical regions to perform the experiment. Our investigation shows that photoproduction of $e^+e^-$-pairs off the proton and light nuclei may serve as a rather sensitive test of the validity of the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule.
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A. I. L'vov, S. Scopetta, D. Drechsel, S. Scherer. 1997-07-03. Polarization Phenomena in Small-Angle Photoproduction of e+e- Pairs and the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn Sum Rule. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.57.312
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