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C. Perdrisat

Publications and source records attributed to C. Perdrisat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A New Low $Q^2$ Measurement of the Proton's $g_1$ Spin Structure Function from Longitudinal & Transverse Polarized Data

The proton's spin structure has proven to be far more complicated than was originally believed, and has been the subject of a number of experimental investigations. %Early measurements of the proton's spin structure function $g_1$ showed that the proton does not solely derive its spin from the spins of its quarks, starting the `proton spin crisis'. Of particular interest are the spin structure functions $g_1$ and $g_2$, which can be used to generate moments to directly compare experimental results to Chiral Perturbation Theory and other theories of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). The proton's $g_1$ structure function has been the subject of two other recent low momentum transfer experiments, but there are currently no published low momentum transfer measurements which collected data on the proton structure functions using both a longitudinally-polarized and a transversely-polarized target at the same kinematics. In this paper, we present the longitudinally polarized results of the Jefferson Lab E08-027 experiment, along with linked moments which combine this new result with the previously published transversely-polarized data from the same experiment. These results provide a proton $g_1$ extraction measured with very high precision across the resonance region, and provide new information on the value of $g_1$ dependent sum rules and moments.

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d(e,e'p) Studies of Exclusive Deuteron Electro-Disintegration

The d(e,e'p) cross section was measured at momentum transfers $Q^2 = $ 0.8, 2.1 and 3.5 $(GeV/c)^2$ covering a wide range of proton kinematics at each $Q^2$ setting that made it possible to study this reaction as a function of missing momentum as well as a function of the neutron laboratory recoil angle $\theta_{nq}$. Missing momentum distributions were determined for fixed values of $\theta_{nq}$ up to missing momenta of 0.65 $GeV/c$. For the two larger momentum transfer settings, the characteristics of the experimental momentum distributions confirm the theoretical prediction that final state interactions (FSI) contribute maximally around a $\theta_{nq} \sim 70^\circ$, while for $\theta_{nq} < 45^\circ$ FSI are significantly reduced. The data at reduced FSI settings were best reproduced by calculations using the CD-Bonn potential wave functions.

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The Proton Spin Structure Function $g_2$ and Generalized Polarizabilities in the Strong QCD Regime

The strong interaction is not well understood at low energy, or for interactions with low momentum transfer $Q^2$, but one of the clearest insights we have comes from Chiral Perturbation Theory ($\chi$PT). This effective treatment gives testable predictions for the nucleonic generalized polarizabilities -- fundamental quantities describing the nucleon's response to an external field. We have measured the proton's generalized spin polarizabilities in the region where $\chi$PT is expected to be valid. Our results include the first ever data for the transverse-longitudinal spin polarizability $\delta_{LT}$, and also extend the coverage of the polarizability $\bar{d_2}$ to very low $Q^2$ for the first time. These results were extracted from moments of the structure function $g_2$, a quantity which characterizes the internal spin structure of the proton. Our experiment ran at Jefferson Lab using a polarized electron beam and a polarized solid ammonia (NH$_3$) target. The $\delta_{LT}$ polarizability has remained a challenging quantity for $\chi$PT to reproduce, despite its reduced sensitivity to higher resonance contributions; recent competing calculations still disagree with each other and also diverge from the measured neutron data at very low $Q^2$. Our proton results provide discriminating power between existing calculations, and will help provide a better understanding of this strong QCD regime.

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Measurement of the EMC effect in light and heavy nuclei

Inclusive electron scattering from nuclear targets has been measured to extract the nuclear dependence of the inelastic cross section in Hall C at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator facility. Results are presented for 2H, 3He, 4He, 9B, 12C, 63Cu and 197Au at an incident electron beam energy of 5.77 GeV for a range of momentum transfer from Q^2 = 2 to 7 (GeV/c)^2. These data improve the precision of the existing measurements of the EMC effect in the nuclear targets at large x, and allow for more detailed examinations of the A dependence of the EMC effect.

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Exclusive $\pi^+$ electroproduction off the proton from low to high -t

Background: Measurements of exclusive meson production are a useful tool in the study of hadronic structure. In particular, one can discern the relevant degrees of freedom at different distance scales through these studies. Purpose: To study the transition between non-perturbative and perturbative Quantum Chromodyanmics as the square of four momentum transfer to the struck proton, -t, is increased. Method: Cross sections for the $^1$H(e,e'$\pi^+$)n reaction were measured over the -t range of 0.272 to 2.127 GeV$^2$ with limited azimuthal coverage at fixed beam energy of 4.709 GeV, Q$^2$ of 2.4 GeV$^2$ and W of 2.0 GeV at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) Hall C. Results: The -t dependence of the measured $\pi^+$ electroproduction cross section generally agrees with prior data from JLab Halls B and C. The data are consistent with a Regge amplitude based theoretical model, but show poor agreement with a Generalized Parton Distribution (GPD) based model. Conclusion: The agreement of cross sections with prior data implies small contribution from the interference terms, and the confirmation of the change in t-slopes between the low and high -t regions previously observed in photoproduction indicates the changing nature of the electroproduction reaction in our kinematic regime.

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Unique Access to u-Channel Physics: Exclusive Backward-Angle Omega Meson Electroproduction

Backward-angle meson electroproduction above the resonance region, which was previously ignored, is anticipated to offer unique access to the three quark plus sea component of the nucleon wave function. In this letter, we present the first complete separation of the four electromagnetic structure functions above the resonance region in exclusive omega electroproduction off the proton, e + p -> e' + p + omega, at central Q^2 values of 1.60, 2.45 GeV^2 , at W = 2.21 GeV. The results of our pioneering -u ~ -u min study demonstrate the existence of a unanticipated backward-angle cross section peak and the feasibility of full L/T/LT/TT separations in this never explored kinematic territory. At Q^2 =2.45 GeV^2 , the observed dominance of sigma_T over sigma_L, is qualitatively consistent with the collinear QCD description in the near-backward regime, in which the scattering amplitude factorizes into a hard subprocess amplitude and baryon to meson transition distribution amplitudes (TDAs): universal non-perturbative objects only accessible through backward angle kinematics.

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Separated Kaon Electroproduction Cross Section and the Kaon Form Factor from 6 GeV JLab Data

The $^{1}H$($e,e^\prime K^+$)$\Lambda$ reaction was studied as a function of the Mandelstam variable $-t$ using data from the E01-004 (FPI-2) and E93-018 experiments that were carried out in Hall C at the 6 GeV Jefferson Lab. The cross section was fully separated into longitudinal and transverse components, and two interference terms at four-momentum transfers $Q^2$ of 1.00, 1.36 and 2.07 GeV$^2$. The kaon form factor was extracted from the longitudinal cross section using the Regge model by Vanderhaeghen, Guidal, and Laget. The results establish the method, previously used successfully for pion analyses, for extracting the kaon form factor. Data from 12 GeV Jefferson Lab experiments are expected to have sufficient precision to distinguish between theoretical predictions, for example recent perturbative QCD calculations with modern parton distribution amplitudes. The leading-twist behavior for light mesons is predicted to set in for values of $Q^2$ between 5-10 GeV$^2$, which makes data in the few GeV regime particularly interesting. The $Q^2$ dependence at fixed $x$ and $-t$ of the longitudinal cross section we extracted seems consistent with the QCD factorization prediction within the experimental uncertainty.

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Separated Response Functions in Exclusive, Forward $π^{\pm}$ Electroproduction on Deuterium

Background: Measurements of forward exclusive meson production at different squared four-momenta of the exchanged virtual photon, $Q^2$, and at different four-momentum transfer, t, can be used to probe QCD's transition from meson-nucleon degrees of freedom at long distances to quark-gluon degrees of freedom at short scales. Ratios of separated response functions in $π^-$ and $π^+$ electroproduction are particularly informative. The ratio for transverse photons may allow this transition to be more easily observed, while the ratio for longitudinal photons provides a crucial verification of the assumed pole dominance, needed for reliable extraction of the pion form factor from electroproduction data. Method: Data were acquired with 2.6-5.2 GeV electron beams and the HMS+SOS spectrometers in Jefferson Lab Hall C, at central $Q^2$ values of 0.6, 1.0, 1.6 GeV$^2$ at W=1.95 GeV, and $Q^2$=2.45 GeV$^2$ at W=2.22 GeV. There was significant coverage in $ϕ$ and $ε$, which allowed separation of $σ_{L,T,LT,TT}$. Results: $σ_L$ shows a clear signature of the pion pole, with a sharp rise at small -t. In contrast, $σ_T$ is much flatter versus t. The longitudinal/transverse ratios evolve with $Q^2$ and t, and at the highest $Q^2$=2.45 GeV$^2$ show a slight enhancement for $π^-$ production compared to $π^+$. The $π^-/π^+$ ratio for transverse photons exhibits only a small $Q^2$-dependence, following a nearly universal curve with t, with a steep transition to a value of about 0.25, consistent with s-channel quark knockout. The $σ_{TT}/σ_T$ ratio also drops rapidly with $Q^2$, qualitatively consistent with s-channel helicity conservation. The $π^-/π^+$ ratio for longitudinal photons indicates a small isoscalar contamination at W=1.95 GeV, consistent with what was observed in our earlier determination of the pion form factor at these kinematics.

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Separated Response Function Ratios in Exclusive, Forward pi^{+/-} Electroproduction

The study of exclusive $π^{\pm}$ electroproduction on the nucleon, including separation of the various structure functions, is of interest for a number of reasons. The ratio $R_L=σ_L^{π^-}/σ_L^{π^+}$ is sensitive to isoscalar contamination to the dominant isovector pion exchange amplitude, which is the basis for the determination of the charged pion form factor from electroproduction data. A change in the value of $R_T=σ_T^{π^-}/σ_T^{π^+}$ from unity at small $-t$, to 1/4 at large $-t$, would suggest a transition from coupling to a (virtual) pion to coupling to individual quarks. Furthermore, the mentioned ratios may show an earlier approach to pQCD than the individual cross sections. We have performed the first complete separation of the four unpolarized electromagnetic structure functions above the dominant resonances in forward, exclusive $π^{\pm}$ electroproduction on the deuteron at central $Q^2$ values of 0.6, 1.0, 1.6 GeV$^2$ at $W$=1.95 GeV, and $Q^2=2.45$ GeV$^2$ at $W$=2.22 GeV. Here, we present the $L$ and $T$ cross sections, with emphasis on $R_L$ and $R_T$, and compare them with theoretical calculations. Results for the separated ratio $R_L$ indicate dominance of the pion-pole diagram at low $-t$, while results for $R_T$ are consistent with a transition between pion knockout and quark knockout mechanisms.

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Studying the Proton "Radius" Puzzle with μp Elastic Scattering

The Proton Radius Puzzle is the inconsistency between the proton radius determined from muonic hydrogen and the proton radius determined from atomic hydrogen level transitions and ep elastic scattering. No generally accepted resolution to the Puzzle has been found. Possible solutions generally fall into one of three categories: the two radii are different due to novel beyond-standard-model physics, the two radii are different due to novel aspects of nucleon structure, and the two radii are the same, but there are underestimated uncertainties or other issues in the ep experiments. The MUon proton Scattering Experiment (MUSE) at the Paul Scherrer Institut is a simultaneous measurement of μ^+ p and e^+ p elastic scattering, as well as μ^- p and e^- p elastic scattering, which will allow a determination of the consistency of the μp and the ep interactions. The differences between + and - charge scattering are sensitive to two-photon exchange effects, higher-order corrections to the scattering process. The slopes of the cross sections as Q^2 -> 0 determine the proton "radius". We plan to measure relative cross sections at a typical level of a few tenths of a percent, which should allow the proton radius to be determined at the level of ~0.01 fm, similar to previous ep measurements. The measurements will test several possible explanations of the proton radius puzzle, including some models of beyond-standard-model physics, some models of novel hadronic physics, and some issues in the radius extraction from scattering data.

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New measurements of high-momentum nucleons and short-range structures in nuclei

We present new measurements of electron scattering from high-momentum nucleons in nuclei. These data allow an improved determination of the strength of two-nucleon correlations for several nuclei, including light nuclei where clustering effects can, for the first time, be examined. The data also include the kinematic region where three-nucleon correlations are expected to dominate.

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Nuclear transparency and effective kaon-nucleon cross section from the A(e, e'K+) reaction

We have determined the transparency of the nuclear medium to kaons from $A(e,e^{'} K^{+})$ measurements on $^{12}$C, $^{63}$Cu, and $^{197}$Au targets. The measurements were performed at the Jefferson Laboratory and span a range in four-momentum-transfer squared Q$^2$=1.1 -- 3.0 GeV$^2$. The nuclear transparency was defined as the ratio of measured kaon electroproduction cross sections with respect to deuterium, ($σ^{A}/σ^{D}$). We further extracted the atomic number ($A$) dependence of the transparency as parametrized by $T= (A/2)^{α-1}$ and, within a simple model assumption, the in-medium effective kaon-nucleon cross sections. The effective cross sections extracted from the electroproduction data are found to be smaller than the free cross sections determined from kaon-nucleon scattering experiments, and the parameter $α$ was found to be significantly larger than those obtained from kaon-nucleus scattering. We have included similar comparisons between pion- and proton-nucleon effective cross sections as determined from electron scattering experiments, and pion-nucleus and proton-nucleus scattering data.

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Scaling of the F_2 structure function in nuclei and quark distributions at x>1

We present new data on electron scattering from a range of nuclei taken in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. For heavy nuclei, we observe a rapid falloff in the cross section for $x>1$, which is sensitive to short range contributions to the nuclear wave-function, and in deep inelastic scattering corresponds to probing extremely high momentum quarks. This result agrees with higher energy muon scattering measurements, but is in sharp contrast to neutrino scattering measurements which suggested a dramatic enhancement in the distribution of the `super-fast' quarks probed at x>1. The falloff at x>1 is noticeably stronger in ^2H and ^3He, but nearly identical for all heavier nuclei.

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New measurements of the EMC effect in very light nuclei

New Jefferson Lab data are presented on the nuclear dependence of the inclusive cross section from 2H, 3He, 4He, 9Be and 12C for 0.3<x<0.9, Q^2 approximately 3-6 GeV^2. These data represent the first measurement of the EMC effect for 3He at large x and a significant improvement for 4He. The data do not support previous A-dependent or density-dependent fits to the EMC effect and suggest that the nuclear dependence of the quark distributions may depend on the local nuclear environment.

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Charged pion form factor between $Q^2$=0.60 and 2.45 GeV$^2$. I. Measurements of the cross section for the ${^1}$H($e,e'π^+$)$n$ reaction

Cross sections for the reaction ${^1}$H($e,e'π^+$)$n$ were measured in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) using the CEBAF high-intensity, continous electron beam in order to determine the charged pion form factor. Data were taken for central four-momentum transfers ranging from $Q^2$=0.60 to 2.45 GeV$^2$ at an invariant mass of the virtual photon-nucleon system of $W$=1.95 and 2.22 GeV. The measured cross sections were separated into the four structure functions $σ_L$, $σ_T$, $σ_{LT}$, and $σ_{TT}$. The various parts of the experimental setup and the analysis steps are described in detail, including the calibrations and systematic studies, which were needed to obtain high precision results. The different types of systematic uncertainties are also discussed. The results for the separated cross sections as a function of the Mandelstam variable $t$ at the different values of $Q^2$ are presented. Some global features of the data are discussed, and the data are compared with the results of some model calculations for the reaction ${^1}$H($e,e'π^+$)$n$.

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Charged pion form factor between Q^2=0.60 and 2.45 GeV^2. II. Determination of, and results for, the pion form factor

The charged pion form factor, Fpi(Q^2), is an important quantity which can be used to advance our knowledge of hadronic structure. However, the extraction of Fpi from data requires a model of the 1H(e,e'pi+)n reaction, and thus is inherently model dependent. Therefore, a detailed description of the extraction of the charged pion form factor from electroproduction data obtained recently at Jefferson Lab is presented, with particular focus given to the dominant uncertainties in this procedure. Results for Fpi are presented for Q^2=0.60-2.45 GeV^2. Above Q^2=1.5 GeV^2, the Fpi values are systematically below the monopole parameterization that describes the low Q^2 data used to determine the pion charge radius. The pion form factor can be calculated in a wide variety of theoretical approaches, and the experimental results are compared to a number of calculations. This comparison is helpful in understanding the role of soft versus hard contributions to hadronic structure in the intermediate Q^2 regime.

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Determination of the Charged Pion Form Factor at Q2=1.60 and 2.45 (GeV/c)2

The H(e,e'pi+)n cross section was measured at four-momentum transfers of Q2=1.60 and 2.45 GeV2 at an invariant mass of the photon nucleon system of W=2.22 GeV. The charged pion form factor (F_pi) was extracted from the data by comparing the separated longitudinal pion electroproduction cross section to a Regge model prediction in which F_pi is a free parameter. The results indicate that the pion form factor deviates from the charge-radius constrained monopole form at these values of Q2 by one sigma, but is still far from its perturbative Quantum Chromo-Dynamics prediction.

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Precision Rosenbluth measurement of the proton elastic form factors

We report the results of a new Rosenbluth measurement of the proton form factors at Q^2 values of 2.64, 3.20 and 4.10 GeV^2. Cross sections were determined by detecting the recoiling proton in contrast to previous measurements in which the scattered electron was detected. At each Q^2, relative cross sections were determined to better than 1%. The measurement focussed on the extraction of G_E/G_M which was determined to 4-8% and found to approximate form factor scaling, i.e. μ_p G_E \approx G_M. These results are consistent with and much more precise than previous Rosenbluth extractions. However, they are inconsistent with recent polarization transfer measurements of comparable precision, implying a systematic difference between the two techniques.

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