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Andrei V. Afanasev

Publications and source records attributed to Andrei V. Afanasev.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

The Schwinger Scattering of Twisted Neutrons by Nuclei

Thanks to J.~Schwinger, the process of elastic scattering of neutrons by nuclei is known to depend on the interference between a nuclear amplitude and an electromagnetic one for small scattering angles, resulting in spin asymmetries of a cross section or in polarization of the scattered neutrons. While this interference depends on the neutron's {\it transverse} polarization and on {\it an imaginary part} of the nuclear amplitude, this conclusion holds only for the incident plane-wave neutrons with a definite momentum. Here we show that this scattering is altered when the twisted neutrons, recently obtained experimentally, are used instead -- that is, neutrons with an orbital angular momentum. For bulk targets, the angular distributions of the scattered neutrons get modified, while scattering of a superposition of states with the different angular momenta also reveals dependence on the longitudinal polarization. For well-localized targets, the observables develop a dependence on the neutron's {\it helicity} and on {\it a real part} of the nuclear amplitude, providing full access to its phase already in the Born approximation. We argue that the corresponding spin asymmetries are measurable at existing neutron facilities. Thus, scattering of the twisted neutrons by nuclei can provide means for quantum tomography of the neutron states and become a useful tool for hadronic studies, low-energy nuclear physics, tests of fundamental symmetries, and neutron optics.

nucl-th↗

Two-Photon Exchange in Electron-Proton Elastic Scattering: Theory Update

Recent theoretical developments in the studies of two-photon exchange effects in elastic electron-proton scattering are reviewed. Two-photon exchange mechanism is considered a likely source of discrepancy between polarized and unpolarized experimental measurements of the proton electric form factor at momentum transfers of several GeV$^2$. This mechanism predicts measurable effects that are currently studied experimentally.

hep-ph↗

Beam Single-Spin Asymmetry in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

We calculate, in a model, the beam spin asymmetry in semi-inclusive jet production in deep inelastic scattering. This twist-3, $T$-odd observable is non-zero due to final state strong interactions. With reasonable choices for the parameters, one finds an asymmetry of several percent, about the size seen experimentally. We present the result both as an explicit asymmetry calculation and as a model calculation of the new transverse-momentum dependent distribution function $g^\perp$.

hep-ph↗

Single--Spin Asymmetries in the Bethe--Heitler Process $e^- + p \to e^- + γ+ p$ from QED Radiative Corrections

We derived analytic formulae for the polarization single--spin asymmetries (SSA) in the Bethe--Heitler process $e^- + p \to e^- + γ+ p$. The asymmetries arise due to one-loop QED radiative corrections to the leptonic part of the interaction and present a systematic correction for the studies of virtual Compton Scattering on a proton through interference with the Bethe-Heitler amplitude. Considered are SSA with either longitudinally polarized electron beam or a polarized proton target. The computed effect appears to be small, not exceeding 0.1 per cent for kinematics of current virtual Compton scattering experiments.

hep-ph↗

Two-Photon-Exchange Correction to Parity-Violating Elastic Electron-Proton Scattering

Higher-order QED effects play an important role in precision measurements of nucleon elastic form factors in electron scattering. Here we introduce a two-photon exchange QED correction to the parity-violating polarization asymmetry of elastic electron-proton scattering. We calculate this correction in the parton model using the formalism of generalized parton distributions, and demonstrate that it can reach several per cent in certain kinematics, becoming comparable in size with existing experimental measurements of strange-quark effects in the proton neutral weak current.

hep-ph↗

The two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-nucleon scattering at large momentum transfer

We estimate the two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering at large momentum transfer by using a quark-parton representation of virtual Compton scattering. We thus can relate the two-photon exchange amplitude to the generalized parton distributions which also enter in other wide angle scattering processes. We find that the interference of one- and two-photon exchange contribution is able to substantially resolve the difference between electric form factor measurements from Rosenbluth and polarization transfer experiments. Two-photon exchange has additional consequences which could be experimentally observed, including nonzero polarization effects and a positron-proton/electron-proton scattering asymmetry. The predicted Rosenbluth plot is no longer precisely linear; it acquires a measurable curvature, particularly at large laboratory angle.

hep-ph↗

Relativistic Charge Form Factor of the Deuteron from (np)-Scattering Phase Shifts

Relativistic integral representation in terms of experimental neutron-proton scattering phase shifts is used to compute the charge form factor of the deuteron $ G_{Cd}(Q^2)$. The results of numerical calculations of $|G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ are presented in the interval of the four-momentum transfers squared $0 \leq Q^2 \leq 35 fm^{-2}$. Zero and the prominent secondary maximum in $|G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ are the direct consequences of the change of sign in the experimental $^3S_1 $- phase shifts. Till the point $Q^2 \simeq 20 fm^{-2}$ the calculated total relativistic correction to $|G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ is positive and reaches the maximal value of 25% at $Q^2 \simeq 14 fm^{-2}$.

hep-ph↗

Nucleon Spin Content from Elastic Form Factor Data

I use the formalism of skewed parton distributions (SPD) to describe elastic form factors of the nucleon. The results are consistent with approximate dipole behavior of $G_{Mp}(Q^2)$ and recent JLab data for the ratio of the proton form factors $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$ at $Q^2\leq 3.5$ GeV$^2$. Using the Angular Momentum Sum Rule, I obtain a numerical estimate for the valence quark contributions to the nucleon spin at the level of 50%, with their orbital angular momentum {\it included}. When combined with polarized DIS measurements, this result indicated that the orbital angular momentum of quarks contributes about 25% to the nucleon spin.

hep-ph↗

Magnetic Radius of the Deuteron

The root-mean square radius of the deuteron magnetic moment distribution, $ r_{Md}$, is calculated for several realistic models of the $NN$--interaction. For the Paris potential the result is $r_{Md} = 2.312 \pm 0.010 $ fm. The dependence of $r_{Md} $ on the choice of $NN$ model, relativistic effects and meson exchange currents is investigated. The experimental value of $r_{Md}$ is also considered. The necessity of new precise measurements of the deuteron magnetic form factor at low values of $Q^2$ is stressed.

nucl-th↗

Scaling Region Meson Photoproduction and Elastic Form Factors of Hadrons

First, I define generalized Bloom-Gilman duality and Bjorken-like scaling for inclusive photoproduction of pions, relating Quark-Parton Model description in the deep-inelastic region to the properties of exclusive resonance excitation. Secondly, connection between inclusive and exclusive processes is established in the formalism of Nonforward Parton Densities used here to predict deviations from dimensional scaling for a variety of observables: nucleon and pion elastic form factors, and pion Compton scattering.

hep-ph↗

Relativistic Charge Form Factor of the Deuteron

Relativistic integral representation in terms of experimental neutron-proton scattering phase shifts alone is used to compute the charge form factor of the deuteron $G_{Cd}(Q^2)$. The results of numerical calculations of $|G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ are presented in the interval of the four-momentum transfers squared $0 \leq Q^2 \leq 35 fm^{-2}$. Zero and the prominent secondary maximum in $ |G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ are the direct consequences of the change of sign in the experimental $^3S_1$- phase shifts. Till the point $Q^2 \simeq 20 fm^{-2}$ the total relativistic correction to $|G_{Cd}(Q^2)|$ is positive and reaches the maximal value of 25% at $Q^2 \simeq 14 fm^{-2}$.

nucl-th↗