arXiv subjects

L. Lanza

Publications and source records attributed to L. Lanza.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Observation of Beam Spin Asymmetries in the Process $e p \rightarrow e π^{+}π^{-}X$ with CLAS12

The observation of beam spin asymmetries in two-pion production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering off an unpolarized proton target is reported. The data presented here were taken in the fall of 2018 with the CLAS12 spectrometer using a 10.6 GeV longitudinally spin-polarized electron beam delivered by CEBAF at JLab. The measured asymmetries provide the first opportunity to extract the parton distribution function $e(x)$, which provides information about the interaction between gluons and quarks, in a collinear framework that offers cleaner access than previous measurements. The asymmetries also constitute the first ever signal sensitive to the helicity-dependent two-pion fragmentation function $G_1^\perp$. A clear sign change is observed around the $ρ$ mass that appears in model calculations and is indicative of the dependence of the produced pions on the helicity of the fragmenting quark.

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arXiv2021

Differential cross sections for Λ(1520) using photoproduction at CLAS

The reaction $γp \rightarrow K^{+} Λ(1520)$ using photoproduction data from the CLAS $g12$ experiment at Jefferson Lab is studied. The decay of $Λ(1520)$ into two exclusive channels, $Σ^{+}π^{-}$ and $Σ^{-}π^{+}$, is studied from the detected $K^{+}$, $π^{+}$, and $π^{-}$ particles. A good agreement is established for the $Λ(1520)$ differential cross sections with the previous CLAS measurements. The differential cross sections as a function of CM angle are extended to higher photon energies. Newly added are the differential cross sections as a function of invariant 4-momentum transfer $t$, which is the natural variable to use for a theoretical model based on a Regge-exchange reaction mechanism. No new $N^*$ resonances decaying into the $K^+Λ(1520)$ final state are found.

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arXiv2020

Photoproduction of $η$ mesons off the proton for $1.2 < E_γ< 4.7$ GeV using CLAS at Jefferson Laboratory

Photoproduction cross sections are reported for the reaction $γp\to pη$ using energy-tagged photons and the CLAS spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The $η$ mesons are detected in their dominant charged decay mode, $η\to π^+π^-π^0$, and results on differential cross sections are presented for incident photon energies between 1.2 and 4.7 GeV. These new $η$ photoproduction data are consistent with earlier CLAS results but extend the energy range beyond the nucleon resonance region into the Regge regime. The normalized angular distributions are also compared with the experimental results from several other experiments, and with predictions of $η$ MAID\,2018 and the latest solution of the Bonn-Gatchina coupled-channel analysis. Differential cross sections $dσ/dt$ are presented for incident photon energies $E_γ> 2.9$ GeV ($W > 2.5$ GeV), and compared with predictions which are based on Regge trajectories exchange in the $t$-channel (Regge models). The data confirm the expected dominance of $ρ$, $ω$ vector-meson exchange in an analysis by the Joint Physics Analysis Center.

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arXiv2020

Beam spin asymmetry in semi-inclusive electroproduction of a hadron pair

A first measurement of the longitudinal beam spin asymmetry ALU in the semi-inclusive electroproduction of pairs of charged pions is reported. ALU is a higher-twist observable and offers the cleanest access to the nucleon twist-3 parton distribution function e(x). Data have been collected in the Hall-B at Jefferson Lab by impinging a 5.498 GeV electron beam on a liquid-hydrogen target, and reconstructing the scattered electron and the pion pair with the CLAS detector. One-dimensional projections of the sin(phiR) moments of ALU are extracted for the kinematic variables of interest in the valence quark region. The understanding of di-hadron production is essential for the interpretation of observables in single hadron production in semi-inclusive DIS, and pioneering measurements of single spin asymmetries in di-hadron production open a new avenue in studies of QCD dynamics.

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arXiv2020

Extraction of beam-spin asymmetries from the hard exclusive $π^{+}$ channel off protons in a wide range of kinematics

We have measured beam-spin asymmetries to extract the $\sinϕ$ moment $A_{LU}^{\sinϕ}$ from the hard exclusive $\vec{e} p \to e^\prime n π^+$ reaction above the resonance region, for the first time with nearly full coverage from forward to backward angles in the center-of-mass. The $A_{LU}^{\sinϕ}$ moment has been measured up to 6.6 GeV$^{2}$ in $-t$, covering the kinematic regimes of Generalized Parton Distributions (GPD) and baryon-to-meson Transition Distribution Amplitudes (TDA) at the same time. The experimental results in very forward kinematics demonstrate the sensitivity to chiral-odd and chiral-even GPDs. In very backward kinematics where the TDA framework is applicable, we found $A_{LU}^{\sinϕ}$ to be negative, while a sign change was observed near 90$^\circ$ in the center-of-mass. The unique results presented in this paper will provide critical constraints to establish reaction mechanisms that can help to further develop the GPD and TDA frameworks.

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arXiv2019

Dark matter search in a Beam-Dump eXperiment (BDX) at Jefferson Lab -- 2018 update to PR12-16-001

This document complements and completes what was submitted last year to PAC45 as an update to the proposal PR12-16-001 "Dark matter search in a Beam-Dump eXperiment (BDX)" at Jefferson Lab submitted to JLab-PAC44 in 2016. Following the suggestions contained in the PAC45 report, in coordination with the lab, we ran a test to assess the beam-related backgrounds and validate the simulation framework used to design the BDX experiment. Using a common Monte Carlo framework for the test and the proposed experiment, we optimized the selection cuts to maximize the reach considering simultaneously the signal, cosmic-ray background (assessed in Catania test with BDX-Proto) and beam-related backgrounds (irreducible NC and CC neutrino interactions as determined by simulation). Our results confirmed what was presented in the original proposal: with 285 days of a parasitic run at 65 $μ$A (corresponding to $10^{22}$ EOT) the BDX experiment will lower the exclusion limits in the case of no signal by one to two orders of magnitude in the parameter space of dark-matter coupling versus mass.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Exclusive $\bm{π^{0}p}$ electroproduction off protons in the resonance region at photon virtualities 0.4~GeV$\bm{^{2}}$ $\bm{\leq~ Q^{2} \leq~1}$~GeV$\bm{^{2}}$

The exclusive electroproduction process $ep \rightarrow e'p'π^{0}$ was measured in the range of photon virtualities $Q^{2} = 0.4 - 1.0$~GeV$^{2}$ and the invariant mass range of the $pπ^{0}$ system of $W = 1.1 - 1.8$~GeV. These kinematics are covered in exclusive $π^{0}$ electroproduction off the proton with nearly complete angular coverage in the $pπ^{0}$ center-of-mass system and with high statistical accuracy. Nearly 36000 cross section points were measured, and the structure functions $σ_T+εσ_L$, $σ_{LT}$, and $σ_{TT}$, were extracted via fitting the $ϕ_{π^{0}}$ dependence of the cross section. A Legendre polynomial expansion analysis demonstrates the sensitivity of our data to high-lying $N^*$ and $Δ^{*}$ resonances with $M~>~1.6$ GeV. As part of a broad effort to determine the electrocouplings of the $N^{*}$ and $Δ^{*}$ resonances using both single- and double-pion electroproduction, this dataset is crucial for the reliable extraction of the high-lying resonance electrocouplings from the combined isospin analysis of the $N π$ and $π^{+}π^{-} p$ channels.

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arXiv2019

Exploring the Structure of the Bound Proton with Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering

In the past two decades, deeply virtual Compton scattering of electrons has been successfully used to advance our knowledge of the partonic structure of the free proton and investigate correlations between the transverse position and the longitudinal momentum of quarks inside the nucleon. Meanwhile, the structure of bound nucleons in nuclei has been studied in inclusive deep-inelastic lepton scattering experiments off nuclear targets, showing a significant difference in longitudinal momentum distribution of quarks inside the bound nucleon, known as the EMC effect. In this work, we report the first beam spin asymmetry (BSA) measurement of exclusive deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) off a proton bound in $^4$He. The data used here were accumulated using a $6$ GeV longitudinally polarized electron beam incident on a pressurized $^4$He gaseous target placed within the CLAS spectrometer in Hall-B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The azimuthal angle ($ϕ$) dependence of the BSA was studied in a wide range of virtual photon and scattered proton kinematics. The $Q^2$, $x_B$, and t dependencies of the BSA on the bound proton are compared with those on the free proton. In the whole kinematical region of our measurements, the BSA on the bound proton is smaller by 20\% to 40\%, indicating possible medium modification of its partonic structure.

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arXiv2019

Physics with Positron Beams at Jefferson Lab 12 GeV

Positron beams, both polarized and unpolarized, are identified as essential ingredients for the experimental program at the next generation of lepton accelerators. In the context of the Hadronic Physics program at the Jefferson Laboratory (JLab), positron beams are complementary, even essential, tools for a precise understanding of the electromagnetic structure of the nucleon, in both the elastic and the deep-inelastic regimes. For instance, elastic scattering of (un)polarized electrons and positrons off the nucleon allows for a model independent determination of the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon. Also, the deeply virtual Compton scattering of (un)polarized electrons and positrons allows us to separate unambiguously the different contributions to the cross section of the lepto-production of photons, enabling an accurate determination of the nucleon Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), and providing an access to its Gravitational Form Factors. Furthermore, positron beams offer the possibility of alternative tests of the Standard Model through the search of a dark photon or the precise measurement of electroweak couplings. This letter proposes to develop an experimental positron program at JLab to perform unique high impact measurements with respect to the two-photon exchange problem, the determination of the proton and the neutron GPDs, and the search for the $A^{\prime}$ dark photon.

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arXiv2019

First Measurements of the Double-Polarization Observables $F$, $P$, and $H$ in $ω$ Photoproduction off Transversely Polarized Protons in the $N^\ast$ Resonance Region

First measurements of double-polarization observables in $ω$ photoproduction off the proton are presented using transverse target polarization and data from the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) FROST experiment at Jefferson Lab. The beam-target asymmetry $F$ has been measured using circularly polarized, tagged photons in the energy range 1200 - 2700 MeV, and the beam-target asymmetries $H$ and $P$ have been measured using linearly polarized tagged photons in the energy range 1200 - 2000 MeV. These measurements significantly increase the database on polarization observables. The results are included in two partial-wave analyses and reveal significant contributions from several nucleon ($N^\ast$) resonances. In particular, contributions from new $N^\ast$ resonances listed in the Review of Particle Properties are observed, which aid in reaching the goal of mapping out the nucleon resonance spectrum.

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arXiv2018

First results on nucleon resonance photocouplings from the $γp \to π^+π^-p$ reaction

We report the first experimental measurements of the nine 1-fold differential cross sections for the $γp \to π^+π^-p$ reaction, obtained with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Laboratory. The measurements cover the invariant mass range of the final state hadrons from 1.6~GeV~$<W<$~2.0~GeV. For the first time the photocouplings of all prominent nucleon resonances in this mass range have been extracted from this exclusive channel. Photoproduction of two charged pions is of particular importance for the evaluation of the photocouplings for the $Δ(1620)1/2^-$, $Δ(1700)3/2^-$, $N(1720)3/2^+$, and $Δ(1905)5/2^+$ resonances, which have dominant decays into the $ππN$ final states rather than the more extensively studied single meson decay channels.

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arXiv2018

Beam-Target Helicity Asymmetry $E$ in $K^{0}Λ$ and $K^{0}Σ^0$ Photoproduction on the Neutron

We report the first measurements of the $E$ beam-target helicity asymmetry for the $\vecγ \vec{n} \to K^{0}Λ$, and $K^{0}Σ^{0}$ channels in the energy range 1.70$\leq W\leq$2.34 GeV. The CLAS system at Jefferson Lab uses a circularly polarized photon beam and a target consisting of longitudinally polarized solid molecular hydrogen deuteride with low background contamination for the measurements. The multivariate analysis method boosted decision trees was used to isolate the reactions of interest. Comparisons with predictions from the KaonMAID, SAID, and Bonn-Gatchina models are presented. These results will help separate the isospin $I=0$ and $I=1$ photo-coupling transition amplitudes in pseudoscalar meson photoproduction.

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arXiv2018

Measurement of the beam asymmetry $Σ$ and the target asymmetry $T$ in the photoproduction of $ω$ mesons off the proton using CLAS at Jefferson Laboratory

The photoproduction of $ω$ mesons off the proton has been studied in the reaction $γp\to p\,ω$ using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) and the frozen-spin target (FROST) in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. For the first time, the target asymmetry, $T$, has been measured in photoproduction from the decay $ω\toπ^+π^-π^0$, using a transversely-polarized target with energies ranging from just above the reaction threshold up to 2.8 GeV. Significant non-zero values are observed for these asymmetries, reaching about 30-40% in the third-resonance region. New measurements for the photon-beam asymmetry, $Σ$, are also presented, which agree well with previous CLAS results and extend the world database up to 2.1 GeV. These data and additional $ω$-photoproduction observables from CLAS were included in a partial-wave analysis within the Bonn-Gatchina framework. Significant contributions from $s$-channel resonance production were found in addition to $t$-channel exchange processes.

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arXiv2018

Semi-Inclusive $π_0$ target and beam-target asymmetries from 6 GeV electron scattering with CLAS

We present precision measurements of the target and beam-target spin asymmetries from neutral pion electroproduction in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab. We scattered 6-GeV, longitudinally polarized electrons off longitudinally polarized protons in a cryogenic $^{14}$NH$_3$ target, and extracted double and single target spin asymmetries for $ep\rightarrow e^\primeπ^0X$ in multidimensional bins in four-momentum transfer ($1.0<Q^2<3.2$ GeV$^2$), Bjorken-$x$ ($0.12<x<0.48$), hadron energy fraction ($0.4<z<0.7$), transverse pion momentum ($0<P_T<1.0$ GeV), and azimuthal angle $ϕ_h$ between the lepton scattering and hadron production planes. We extracted asymmetries as a function of both $x$ and $P_T$, which provide access to transverse-momentum distributions of longitudinally polarized quarks. The double spin asymmetries depend weakly on $P_T$. The $\sin 2ϕ_h$ moments are zero within uncertainties, which is consistent with the expected suppression of the Collins fragmentation function. The observed $\sinϕ_h$ moments suggest that quark gluon correlations are significant at large $x$.

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arXiv2018

Dark matter search in a Beam-Dump eXperiment (BDX) at Jefferson Lab: an update on PR12-16-001

This document is an update to the proposal PR12-16-001 Dark matter search in a Beam-Dump eXperiment (BDX) at Jefferson Lab submitted to JLab-PAC44 in 2016 reporting progress in addressing questions raised regarding the beam-on backgrounds. The concerns are addressed by adopting a new simulation tool, FLUKA, and planning measurements of muon fluxes from the dump with its existing shielding around the dump. First, we have implemented the detailed BDX experimental geometry into a FLUKA simulation, in consultation with experts from the JLab Radiation Control Group. The FLUKA simulation has been compared directly to our GEANT4 simulations and shown to agree in regions of validity. The FLUKA interaction package, with a tuned set of biasing weights, is naturally able to generate reliable particle distributions with very small probabilities and therefore predict rates at the detector location beyond the planned shielding around the beam dump. Second, we have developed a plan to conduct measurements of the muon ux from the Hall-A dump in its current configuration to validate our simulations.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of the helicity asymmetry $E$ in $ω\toπ^+π^-π^0$ photoproduction

The double-polarization observable $E$ was studied for the reaction $γp\to pω$ using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and the longitudinally-polarized frozen-spin target (FROST). The observable was measured from the charged decay mode of the meson, $ω\toπ^+π^-π^0$, using a circularly-polarized tagged-photon beam with energies ranging from the $ω$ threshold at 1.1 to 2.3 GeV. A partial-wave analysis within the Bonn-Gatchina framework found dominant contributions from the $3/2^+$ partial wave near threshold, which is identified with the sub-threshold $N(1720)\,3/2^+$ nucleon resonance. To describe the entire data set, which consisted of $ω$ differential cross sections and a large variety of polarization observables, further contributions from other nucleon resonances were found to be necessary. With respect to non-resonant mechanisms, $π$ exchange in the $t$-channel was found to remain small across the analyzed energy range, while pomeron $t$-channel exchange gradually grew from the reaction threshold to dominate all other contributions above $W \approx 2$ GeV.

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arXiv2017

Double $K_S^0$ Photoproduction off the Proton at CLAS

The $f_0$(1500) meson resonance is one of several contenders to have significant mixing with the lightest glueball. This resonance is well established from several previous experiments. Here we present the first photoproduction data for the $f_0$(1500) via decay into the $K_S^0 K_S^0$ channel using the CLAS detector. The reaction $γp$ -> $f_0 p$ -> $K_S^0 K_S^0 p$, where J = 0, 2, was measured with photon energies from 2.7 to 5.1 GeV. A clear peak is seen at 1500 MeV in the background subtracted invariant mass spectra of the two kaons. This is enhanced if the measured 4-momentum transfer to the proton target is restricted to be less than 1.0 GeV2. By comparing data with simulations, it can be concluded that the peak at 1500 MeV is produced primarily at low t, which is consistent with a t-channel production mechanism.

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arXiv2017

Differential Cross Section Measurements for $γn\toπ^-p$ Above the First Nucleon Resonance Region

The quasi-free $γd\toπ^{-}p(p)$ differential cross section has been measured with CLAS at photon beam energies $E_γ$ from 0.445 GeV to 2.510 GeV (corresponding to $W$ from 1.311 GeV to 2.366 GeV) for pion center-of-mass angles $\cosθ_π^{c.m.}$ from -0.72 to 0.92. A correction for final state interactions has been applied to this data to extract the $γn\toπ^-p$ differential cross sections. These cross sections are quoted in 8428 $(E_γ,\cosθ_π^{c.m.})$ bins, a factor of nearly three increase in the world statistics for this channel in this kinematic range. These new data help to constrain coupled-channel analysis fits used to disentangle the spectrum of $N^*$ resonances and extract their properties. Selected photon decay amplitudes $N^* \to γn$ at the resonance poles are determined for the first time and are reported here.

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