arXiv subjects

E. Piasetzky

Publications and source records attributed to E. Piasetzky.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Polar polarization: a new method for polarimetry analysis

We present a novel analysis method for measurements of polarization transferred in $A(\vec{e},e'\vec{N})$ experiments, which can be applied to other kinds of polarization measurements as well. In this method the polarization transfer components are presented in spherical coordinates using an efficient likelihood numerical maximization based on an analytic derivation. We also propose a formalism that accounts for multi-parameter models, and which yields a smooth and continuous representation of the data (rather than using standard binning). Applying this method on simulated data generates results with reduced statistical and systematic uncertainties and enables revealing physical information that is lost in standard binning of the data. The obtained results can be compared easily to theoretical models and other measurements. Furthermore, CPU time is significantly reduced using this method.

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arXiv2018

Measurement of polarization-transfer to bound protons in carbon and its virtuality dependence

We measured the ratio $P_{x}/P_{z}$ of the transverse to longitudinal components of polarization transferred from electrons to bound protons in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ by the $^{12}\mathrm{C}(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})$ process at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). We observed consistent deviations from unity of this ratio normalized to the free-proton ratio, $(P_{x}/P_{z})_{^{12}\mathrm{C}}/(P_{x}/P_{z})_{^{1}\mathrm{H}}$, for both $s$- and $p$-shell knocked out protons, even though they are embedded in averaged local densities that differ by about a factor of two. The dependence of the double ratio on proton virtuality is similar to the one for knocked out protons from $^{2}\mathrm{H}$ and $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, suggesting a universal behavior. It further implies no dependence on average local nuclear density.

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arXiv2018

Isospin Dependence of the EMC effect and Short range Correlations

Recent studies have shown that the per-nucleon number of Short-Range Correlated (SRC) pairs in nuclei and the strength of the EMC effect are linearly correlated, increasing from light nuclei up to iron and then saturating. This paper shows that the per-proton number of SRC pairs and the strength of the EMC effect are linearly correlated and increase from light to heavy asymmetric neutron-rich nuclei without saturation. These quantities, calculated per neutron, are also linearly related, but saturate (have constant value) remarkably early, starting with 12C. We propose that the observed phenomenological relationships indicate an isospin dependence of the EMC effect which is associated with the dominance of SRCs by neutron-proton pairs from 3He to heavy asymmetric neutron-rich nuclei.

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arXiv2018

The nuclear contacts and short range correlations in nuclei

Atomic nuclei are complex strongly interacting systems and their exact theoretical description is a long-standing challenge. An approximate description of nuclei can be achieved by separating its short and long range structure. This separation of scales stands at the heart of the nuclear shell model and effective field theories that describe the long-range structure of the nucleus using a mean- field approximation. We present here an effective description of the complementary short-range structure using contact terms and stylized two-body asymptotic wave functions. The possibility to extract the nuclear contacts from experimental data is presented. Regions in the two-body momentum distribution dominated by high-momentum, close-proximity, nucleon pairs are identified and compared to experimental data. The amount of short-range correlated (SRC) nucleon pairs is determined and compared to measurements. Non-combinatorial isospin symmetry for SRC pairs is identified. The obtained one-body momentum distributions indicate dominance of SRC pairs above the nuclear Fermi-momentum.

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arXiv2018

Components of polarization-transfer to a bound proton in a deuteron measured by quasi-elastic electron scattering

We report the first measurements of the transverse ($P_{x}$ and $P_{y}$) and longitudinal ($P_{z}$) components of the polarization transfer to a bound proton in the deuteron via the $^{2}\mathrm{H}(\vec{e},e'\vec{p})$ reaction, over a wide range of missing momentum. A precise determination of the electron beam polarization reduces the systematic uncertainties on the individual components, to a level that enables a detailed comparison to a state-of-the-art calculation of the deuteron that uses free-proton electromagnetic form factors. We observe very good agreement between the measured and the calculated $P_{x}/P_{z}$ ratios, but deviations of the individual components. Our results cannot be explained by medium modified electromagnetic form factors. They point to an incomplete description of the nuclear reaction mechanism in the calculation.

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arXiv2017

Extraction of the Neutron Electric Form Factor from Measurements of Inclusive Double Spin Asymmetries

$[Background]$ Measurements of the neutron charge form factor, $G^n_E$, are challenging due to the fact that the neutron has no net charge. In addition, measurements of the neutron form factors must use nuclear targets which require accurately accounting for nuclear effects. Extracting $G^n_E$ with different targets and techniques provides an important test of our handling of these effects. $[Purpose]$ The goal of the measurement was to use an inclusive asymmetry measurement technique to extract the neutron charge form factor at a four-momentum transfer of $1~(\rm{GeV/c})^2$. This technique has very different systematic uncertainties than traditional exclusive measurements and thus serves as an independent check of whether nuclear effects have been taken into account correctly. $[Method]$ The inclusive quasi-elastic reaction $^3\overrightarrow{\rm{He}}(\overrightarrow{e},e')$ was measured at Jefferson Lab. The neutron electric form factor, $G_E^n$, was extracted at $Q^2 = 0.98~(\rm{GeV/c})^2$ from ratios of electron-polarization asymmetries measured for two orthogonal target spin orientations. This $Q^2$ is high enough that the sensitivity to $G_E^n$ is not overwhelmed by the neutron magnetic contribution, and yet low enough that explicit neutron detection is not required to suppress pion production. $[Results]$ The neutron electric form factor, $G_E^n$, was determined to be $0.0414\pm0.0077\;{(stat)}\pm0.0022\;{(syst)}$; providing the first high precision inclusive extraction of the neutron's charge form factor. $[Conclusions]$ The use of the inclusive quasi-elastic $^3\overrightarrow{\rm{He}}(\overrightarrow{e},e')$ with a four-momentum transfer near $1~(\rm{GeV/c})^2$ has been used to provide a unique measurement of $G^n_E$. This new result provides a systematically independent validation of the exclusive extraction technique results.

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arXiv2017

Nucleon-Nucleon Correlations, Short-lived Excitations, and the Quarks Within

This article reviews our current understanding of how the internal quark structure of a nucleon bound in nuclei differs from that of a free nucleon. We focus on the interpretation of measurements of the EMC effect for valence quarks, a reduction in the Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) cross-section ratios for nuclei relative to deuterium, and its possible connection to nucleon-nucleon Short-Range Correlations (SRC) in nuclei. Our review and new analysis (involving the amplitudes of non-nucleonic configurations in the nucleus) of the available experimental and theoretical evidence shows that there is a phenomenological relation between the EMC effect and the effects of SRC that is not an accident. The influence of strongly correlated neutron-proton pairs involving highly virtual nucleons is responsible for both effects. These correlated pairs are temporary high-density fluctuations in the nucleus in which the internal structure of the nucleons is briefly modified. This conclusion needs to be solidified by the future experiments and improved theoretical analyses that are discussed herein.

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arXiv2016

Analysis of Neutron Stars Observations Using a Correlated Fermi Gas Model

Background: The nuclear symmetry energy is a fundamental ingredient in determining the equation of state (EOS) of neutron stars (NS). Recent terrestrial experiments constrain both its value and slope at nuclear saturation density, however, its value at higher densities is unknown. Assuming a Free Fermi-gas (FFG) model for the kinetic symmetry energy, the high-density extrapolation depends on a single parameter, the density dependence of the potential symmetry energy. The Correlated Fermi-gas (CFG) model improves on the FFG model by including the effects of short-range, correlated, high-momentum, nucleons in nuclear matter. Using the CFG model for the kinetic symmetry energy along with constraints from terrestrial measurements leads to a much softer density dependence for the potential symmetry energy. Purpose: Examine the ability of the FFG and CFG models to describe NS observables that are directly sensitive to the symmetry energy at high-density. Specifically, examine the ability of the CFG model, with its softer density dependence of the potential symmetry energy, to describe a two solar-mass NS. Methods: Using a Bayesian analysis of NS observables we compare the CFG and FFG models and examine the resulting parameters in the NS EOS and the density dependence of the potential symmetry energy. Results: Despite the large difference in the density dependence of the potential part of the symmetry energy, both models can describe the NS data and support a two solar-mass NS. The different density dependences has only a small effect on the NS EOS. Conclusions: While sensitive to the high-density values of the symmetry energy, NS observables alone are not enough to distinguish between the CFG and FFG models. This indicates that the NS EOS, obtain from Bayesian analysis of NS observables, is robust and is not sensitive to the exact nuclear model used for the kinetic symmetry energy.

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arXiv2016

Hammer events, neutrino energies, and nucleon-nucleon correlations

Neutrino oscillation measurements depend on a difference between the rate of neutrino-nucleus interactions at different neutrino energies or different distances from the source. Knowledge of the neutrino energy spectrum and neutrino-detector interactions are crucial for these experiments. Short range nucleon-nucleon correlations in nuclei (SRC) affect properties of nuclei. The ArgoNeut liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (lArTPC) observed neutrino-argon scattering events with two protons back-to-back in the final state ("hammer" events) which they associated with SRC pairs. The MicroBoone lArTPC will measure far more of these events. We simulate hammer events using two simple models. We use the well-known electron-nucleon cross section to calculate e-argon interactions where the e- scatters from a proton, ejecting a pi+, and the pi+ is then absorbed on a moving deuteron-like $np$ pair. We also use a model where the electron excites a nucleon to a Delta, which then deexcites by interacting with a second nucleon. The pion production model results in two protons very similar to those of the hammer events. These distributions are insensitive to the momentum of the $np$ pair that absorbed the $π$. The incident neutrino energy can be reconstructed from just the outgoing lepton. The Delta process results in two protons that are less similar to the observed events. ArgoNeut hammer events can be described by a simple pion production and reabsorption model. These hammer events in MicroBooNE can be used to determine the incident neutrino energy but not to learn about SRC. We suggest that this reaction channel could be used for neutrino oscillation experiments to complement other channels with higher statistics but different systematic uncertainties.

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arXiv2016

Polarization-transfer measurement to a large-virtuality bound proton in the deuteron

Possible differences between free and bound protons may be observed in the ratio of polarization-transfer components, $P'_x/P'_z$. We report the measurement of $P'_x/P'_z$, in the $^2\textrm{H}(\vec{e},e^{\prime}\vec{p})n$ reaction at low and high missing momenta. Observed increasing deviation of $P'_x/P'_z$ from that of a free proton as a function of the virtuality, similar to that observed in \hefour, indicates that the effect in nuclei is due to the virtuality of the knock-out proton and not due to the average nuclear density. The measured differences from calculations assuming free-proton form factors ($\sim10\%$), may indicate in-medium modifications.

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arXiv2015

Polarization Transfer in Wide-Angle Compton Scattering and Single-Pion Photoproduction from the Proton

Wide-angle exclusive Compton scattering and single-pion photoproduction from the proton have been investigated via measurement of the polarization transfer from a circularly polarized photon beam to the recoil proton. The wide-angle Compton scattering polarization transfer was analyzed at an incident photon energy of 3.7~GeV at a proton scattering angle of \cma$= 70^\circ$. The longitudinal transfer \KLL, measured to be $0.645 \pm 0.059 \pm 0.048$, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic, has the same sign as predicted for the reaction mechanism in which the photon interacts with a single quark carrying the spin of the proton. However, the observed value is $\sim$3~times larger than predicted by the generalized-parton-distribution-based calculations, which indicates a significant unknown contribution to the scattering amplitude.

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arXiv2015

Correlated Fermion Pairs in Nuclei and Ultracold Atomic Gases

Background: The high momentum distribution of atoms in two spin-state ultra-cold atomic gases with strong short-range interactions between atoms with different spins, which can be described using Tan's contact, are dominated by short range pairs of different fermions and decreases as $k^{-4}$. In atomic nuclei the momentum distribution of nucleons above the Fermi momentum ($k>k_F \approx 250$ Mev/c) is also dominated by short rangecorrelated different-fermion (neutron-proton) pairs. Purpose: Compare high-momentum unlike-fermion momentum distributions in atomic and nuclear systems. Methods: We show that, for $k>k_F$ MeV/c, nuclear momentum distributions are proportional to that of the deuteron. We then examine the deuteron momentum distributions derived from a wide variety of modern nucleon-nucleon potentials that are consistent with $NN$-scattering data. Results: The high momentum tail of the deuteron momentum distribution, and hence of the nuclear momentum distributions appears to decrease as $k^{-4}$. This behavior is shown to arise from the effects of the tensor part of the nucleon-nucleon potential. In addition, when the dimensionless interaction strength for the atomic system is chosen to be similar to that of atomic nuclei, the probability for finding a short range different-fermion pair in both systems is the same. Conclusions: Although nuclei do not satisfy all of the conditions for Tan's contact, the observed similarity of the magnitude and $k^{-4}$ shape of nuclear and atomic momentum distributions is remarkable because these systems differ by about $20$ orders of magnitude in density. This similarity may lead to a greater understanding of nuclei and the density dependence of nuclear systems.

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arXiv2015

A precision measurement of the $p$($e,e^\prime p\,$)$π^0$ reaction at threshold

New results are reported from a measurement of $π^0$ electroproduction near threshold using the $p(e,e^{\prime} p)π^0$ reaction. The experiment was designed to determine precisely the energy dependence of $s-$ and $p-$wave electromagnetic multipoles as a stringent test of the predictions of Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT). The data were taken with an electron beam energy of 1192 MeV using a two-spectrometer setup in Hall A at Jefferson Lab. For the first time, complete coverage of the $ϕ^*_π$ and $θ^*_π$ angles in the $p π^0$ center-of-mass was obtained for invariant energies above threshold from 0.5 MeV up to 15 MeV. The 4-momentum transfer $Q^2$ coverage ranges from 0.05 to 0.155 (GeV/c)$^2$ in fine steps. A simple phenomenological analysis of our data shows strong disagreement with $p-$wave predictions from ChPT for $Q^2>0.07$ (GeV/c)$^2$, while the $s-$wave predictions are in reasonable agreement.

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arXiv2015

Extracting the Mass Dependence and Quantum Numbers of Short-Range Correlated Pairs from A(e,e'p) and A(e,e'pp) Scattering

The nuclear mass dependence of the number of short-range correlated (SRC) proton-proton (pp) and proton-neutron (pn) pairs in nuclei is a sensitive probe of the dynamics of short-range pairs in the ground state of atomic nuclei. This work presents an analysis of electroinduced single-proton and two-proton knockout measurements off 12C, 27Al, 56Fe, and 208Pb in kinematics dominated by scattering off SRC pairs. The nuclear mass dependence of the observed A(e,e'pp)/12C(e,e'pp) cross-section ratios and the extracted number of pp- and pn-SRC pairs are much softer than the mass dependence of the total number of possible pairs. This is in agreement with a physical picture of SRC affecting predominantly nucleon-nucleon pairs in a nodeless relative-S state of the mean-field basis.

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arXiv2015

Measurement of the Target-Normal Single-Spin Asymmetry in Quasi-Elastic Scattering from the Reaction $^3$He$^\uparrow(e,e^\prime)$

We report the first measurement of the target single-spin asymmetry, $A_y$, in quasi-elastic scattering from the inclusive reaction $^3$He$^{\uparrow}(e,e^\prime)$ on a $^3$He gas target polarized normal to the lepton scattering plane. Assuming time-reversal invariance, this asymmetry is strictly zero for one-photon exchange. A non-zero $A_y$ can arise from the interference between the one- and two-photon exchange processes which is sensitive to the details of the sub-structure of the nucleon. An experiment recently completed at Jefferson Lab yielded asymmetries with high statistical precision at $Q^{2}=$ 0.13, 0.46 and 0.97 GeV$^{2}$. These measurements demonstrate, for the first time, that the $^3$He asymmetry is clearly non-zero and negative with a statistical significance of (8-10)$σ$. Using measured proton-to-$^{3}$He cross-section ratios and the effective polarization approximation, neutron asymmetries of $-$(1-3)% were obtained. The neutron asymmetry at high $Q^2$ is related to moments of the Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs). Our measured neutron asymmetry at $Q^2=0.97$ GeV$^2$ agrees well with a prediction based on two-photon exchange using a GPD model and thus provides a new, independent constraint on these distributions.

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arXiv2014

Momentum sharing in imbalanced Fermi systems

The atomic nucleus is composed of two different kinds of fermions, protons and neutrons. If the protons and neutrons did not interact, the Pauli exclusion principle would force the majority fermions (usually neutrons) to have a higher average momentum. Our high-energy electron scattering measurements using 12C, 27Al, 56Fe and 208Pb targets show that, even in heavy neutron-rich nuclei, short-range interactions between the fermions form correlated high-momentum neutron-proton pairs. Thus, in neutron-rich nuclei, protons have a greater probability than neutrons to have momentum greater than the Fermi momentum. This finding has implications ranging from nuclear few body systems to neutron stars and may also be observable experimentally in two-spin state, ultra-cold atomic gas systems.

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arXiv2014

Deuteron Electro-Disintegration at Very High Missing Momenta

We propose to measure the D(e,e'p) cross section at $Q^2 = 4.25$ (GeV/c)$^2$ and $x_{bj} = 1.35$ for missing momenta ranging from $p_m = 0.5$ GeV/c to $p_m = 1.0$ GeV/c expanding the range of missing momenta explored in the Hall A experiment (E01-020). At these energy and momentum transfers, calculations based on the eikonal approximation have been shown to be valid and recent experiments indicated that final state interactions are relatively small and possibly independent of missing momenta. This experiment will provide for the first time data in this kinematic regime which are of fundamental importance to the study of short range correlations and high density fluctuations in nuclei. The proposed experiment could serve as a commissioning experiment of the new SHMS together with the HMS in Hall C. A total beam time of 21 days is requested.

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arXiv2014

Measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in the quasi-elastic $^3\vec{\mathrm{He}}(\vec{\mathrm{e}},\mathrm{e}'\mathrm{d})$ process

We present a precise measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in the $^3\vec{\mathrm{He}}(\vec{\mathrm{e}},\mathrm{e}'\mathrm{d})$ reaction. This particular process is a uniquely sensitive probe of hadron dynamics in $^3\mathrm{He}$ and the structure of the underlying electromagnetic currents. The measurements have been performed in and around quasi-elastic kinematics at $Q^2 = 0.25\,(\mathrm{GeV}/c)^2$ for missing momenta up to $270\,\mathrm{MeV}/c$. The asymmetries are in fair agreement with the state-of-the-art calculations in terms of their functional dependencies on $p_\mathrm{m}$ and $ω$, but are systematically offset. Beyond the region of the quasi-elastic peak, the discrepancies become even more pronounced. Thus, our measurements have been able to reveal deficiencies in the most sophisticated calculations of the three-body nuclear system, and indicate that further refinement in the treatment of their two- and/or three-body dynamics is required.

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