arXiv subjects

R. Michaels

Publications and source records attributed to R. Michaels.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Probing the Repulsive Core of the Nucleon-Nucleon Interaction via the 4He(e,e'pN) Triple-Coincidence Reaction

We studied simultaneously the 4He(e,e'p), 4He(e,e'pp), and 4He(e,e'pn) reactions at Q^2=2 [GeV/c]2 and x_B>1, for a (e,e'p) missing-momentum range of 400 to 830 MeV/c. The knocked-out proton was detected in coincidence with a proton or neutron recoiling almost back to back to the missing momentum, leaving the residual A=2 system at low excitation energy. These data were used to identify two-nucleon short-range correlated pairs and to deduce their isospin structure as a function of missing momentum in a region where the nucleon-nucleon force is expected to change from predominantly tensor to repulsive. Neutron-proton pairs dominate the high-momentum tail of the nucleon momentum distributions, but their abundance is reduced as the nucleon momentum increases beyond ~500 MeV/c. The extracted fraction of proton-proton pairs is small and almost independent of the missing momentum in the range we studied. Our data are compared with ab-initio calculations of two-nucleon momentum distributions in 4He.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

A Precision Measurement of the Neutron Twist-3 Matrix Element $d_2^n$: Probing Color Forces

Double-spin asymmetries and absolute cross sections were measured at large Bjorken $x$ (0.25 $ \le x \le $ 0.90), in both the deep-inelastic and resonance regions, by scattering longitudinally polarized electrons at beam energies of 4.7 and 5.9 GeV from a transversely and longitudinally polarized $^3$He target. In this dedicated experiment, the spin structure function $g_2$ on $^3$He was determined with precision at large $x$, and the neutron twist-three matrix element $d_2^n$ was measured at $\left< Q^2\right>$ of 3.21 and 4.32 GeV$^2$/$c^2$, with an absolute precision of about $10^{-5}$. Our results are found to be in agreement with lattice QCD calculations and resolve the disagreement found with previous data at $\left< Q^2\right> =$ 5 GeV$^2$/$c^2$. Combining $d_2^n$ and a newly extracted twist-four matrix element, $f_2^n$, the average neutron color electric and magnetic forces were extracted and found to be of opposite sign and about 30 MeV/fm in magnitude.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Measurement of the 12C(e,e'p)11B Two-Body Breakup Reaction at High Missing Momentum Values

The five-fold differential cross section for the 12C(e,e'p)11B reaction was determined over a missing momentum range of 200-400 MeV/c, in a kinematics regime with Bjorken x > 1 and Q2 = 2.0 (GeV/c)2. A comparison of the results and theoretical models and previous lower missing momentum data is shown. The theoretical calculations agree well with the data up to a missing momentum value of 325 MeV/c and then diverge for larger missing momenta. The extracted distorted momentum distribution is shown to be consistent with previous data and extends the range of available data up to 400 MeV/c.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Single Spin Asymmetries in Charged Kaon Production from Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering on a Transversely Polarized $^3{\rm{He}}$ Target

We report the first measurement of target single spin asymmetries of charged kaons produced in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering of electrons off a transversely polarized $^3{\rm{He}}$ target. Both the Collins and Sivers moments, which are related to the nucleon transversity and Sivers distributions, respectively, are extracted over the kinematic range of 0.1$<$$x_{bj}$$<$0.4 for $K^{+}$ and $K^{-}$ production. While the Collins and Sivers moments for $K^{+}$ are consistent with zero within the experimental uncertainties, both moments for $K^{-}$ favor negative values. The Sivers moments are compared to the theoretical prediction from a phenomenological fit to the world data. While the $K^{+}$ Sivers moments are consistent with the prediction, the $K^{-}$ results differ from the prediction at the 2-sigma level.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Single Spin Asymmetries of Inclusive Hadrons Produced in Electron Scattering from a Transversely Polarized $^3$He Target

We report the first measurement of target single-spin asymmetries (A$_N$) in the inclusive hadron production reaction, $e~$+$~^3\text{He}^{\uparrow}\rightarrow h+X$, using a transversely polarized $^3$He target. The experiment was conducted at Jefferson Lab in Hall A using a 5.9-GeV electron beam. Three types of hadrons ($π^{\pm}$, $\text{K}^{\pm}$ and proton) were detected in the transverse hadron momentum range 0.54 $<p_T<$ 0.74 GeV/c. The range of $x_F$ for pions was -0.29 $<x_F<$ -0.23 and for kaons -0.25 $<x_F<$-0.18. The observed asymmetry strongly depends on the type of hadron. A positive asymmetry is observed for $π^+$ and $\text{K}^+$. A negative asymmetry is observed for $π^{-}$. The magnitudes of the asymmetries follow $|A^{π^-}| < |A^{π^+}| < |A^{K^+}|$. The K$^{-}$ and proton asymmetries are consistent with zero within the experimental uncertainties. The $π^{+}$ and $π^{-}$ asymmetries measured for the $^3$He target and extracted for neutrons are opposite in sign with a small increase observed as a function of $p_T$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Hall A Annual Report 2013

Report over the experimental activities in Hall A at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility during 2013.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

A way forward in the study of the symmetry energy: experiment, theory, and observation

The symmetry energy describes how the energy of nuclear matter rises as one goes away from equal numbers of neutrons and protons. This is very important to describe neutron rich matter in astrophysics. This article reviews our knowledge of the symmetry energy from theoretical calculations, nuclear structure measurements, heavy ion collisions, and astronomical observations. We then present a roadmap to make progress in areas of relevance to the symmetry energy that promotes collaboration between the astrophysics and the nuclear physics communities.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Measurement of pretzelosity asymmetry of charged pion production in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering on a polarized $^3$He target

An experiment to measure single-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive production of charged pions in deep-inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized $^3$He target was performed at Jefferson Lab in the kinematic region of $0.16<x<0.35$ and $1.4<Q^2<2.7$ ${\rm GeV^2}$. The pretzelosity asymmetries on $^3$He, which can be expressed as the convolution of the $h^\perp_{1T}$ transverse momentum dependent distribution functions and the Collins fragmentation functions in the leading order, were measured for the first time. Using the effective polarization approximation, we extracted the corresponding neutron asymmetries from the measured $^3$He asymmetries and cross-section ratios between the proton and $^3$He. Our results show that for both $π^{\pm}$ on $^3$He and on the neutron the pretzelosity asymmetries are consistent with zero within experimental uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Early Results from the Qweak Experiment

A subset of results from the recently completed Jefferson Lab Qweak experiment are reported. This experiment, sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model, exploits the small parity-violating asymmetry in elastic ep scattering to provide the first determination of the protons weak charge Qweak(p). The experiment employed a 180 uA longitudinally polarized 1.16 GeV electron beam on a 35 cm long liquid hydrogen target. Scattered electrons corresponding to Q2 of 0.025 GeV2 were detected in eight Cerenkov detectors arrayed symmetrically around the beam axis. The goals of the experiment were to provide a measure of Qweak(p) to 4.2 percent (combined statistical and systematic error), which implies a measure of sin2(thetaw) at the level of 0.3 percent, and to help constrain the vector weak quark charges C1u and C1d. The experimental method is described, with particular focus on the challenges associated with the worlds highest power LH2 target. The new constraints on C1u and C1d provided by the subset of the experiments data analyzed to date will also be shown, together with the extracted weak charge of the neutron.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

JLab Measurement of the $^4$He Charge Form Factor at Large Momentum Transfers

The charge form factor of $^$4He has been extracted in the range 29 fm$^{-2}$ $\le Q^2 \le 77$ fm$^{-2}$ from elastic electron scattering, detecting $^4$He nuclei and electrons in coincidence with the High Resolution Spectrometers of the Hall A Facility of Jefferson Lab. The results are in qualitative agreement with realistic meson-nucleon theoretical calculations. The data have uncovered a second diffraction minimum, which was predicted in the $Q^2$ range of this experiment, and rule out conclusively long-standing predictions of dimensional scaling of high-energy amplitudes using quark counting.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Electroweak Measurements of Neutron Densities in CREX and PREX at JLab, USA

Measurement of the parity-violating electron scattering asymmetry is an established technique at Jefferson Lab and provides a new opportunity to measure the weak charge distribution and hence pin down the neutron radius in nuclei in a relatively clean and model-independent way. This is because the Z boson of the weak interaction couples primarily to neutrons. We will describe the PREX and CREX experiments on ${}^{208}$Pb and ${}^{48}$Ca respectively; these are both doubly-magic nuclei whose first excited state can be discriminated by the high resolution spectrometers at JLab. The heavier lead nucleus, with a neutron excess, provides an interpretation of the neutron skin thickness in terms of properties of bulk neutron matter. For the lighter ${}^{48}$Ca nucleus, which is also rich in neutrons, microscopic nuclear theory calculations are feasible and are sensitive to poorly constrained 3-neutron forces.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

First Determination of the Weak Charge of the Proton

The Qweak experiment has measured the parity-violating asymmetry in polarized e-p elastic scattering at Q^2 = 0.025(GeV/c)^2, employing 145 microamps of 89% longitudinally polarized electrons on a 34.4cm long liquid hydrogen target at Jefferson Lab. The results of the experiment's commissioning run are reported here, constituting approximately 4% of the data collected in the experiment. From these initial results the measured asymmetry is Aep = -279 +- 35 (statistics) +- 31 (systematics) ppb, which is the smallest and most precise asymmetry ever measured in polarized e-p scattering. The small Q^2 of this experiment has made possible the first determination of the weak charge of the proton, QpW, by incorporating earlier parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) data at higher Q^2 to constrain hadronic corrections. The value of QpW obtained in this way is QpW(PVES) = 0.064 +- 0.012, in good agreement with the Standard Model prediction of QpW(SM) = 0.0710 +- 0.0007. When this result is further combined with the Cs atomic parity violation (APV) measurement, significant constraints on the weak charges of the up and down quarks can also be extracted. That PVES+APV analysis reveals the neutron's weak charge to be QnW(PVES+APV) = -0.975 +- 0.010.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Measurement of the Parity-Violating Asymmetry in Electron-Deuteron Scattering in the Nucleon Resonance Region

We report on parity-violating asymmetries in the nucleon resonance region measured using $5 - 6$ GeV longitudinally polarized electrons scattering off an unpolarized deuterium target. These results are the first parity-violating asymmetry data in the resonance region beyond the $Δ(1232)$, and provide a verification of quark-hadron duality in the nucleon electroweak $γZ$ interference structure functions at the (10-15)% level. The results are of particular interest to models relevant for calculating the $γZ$ box-diagram corrections to elastic parity-violating electron scattering measurements.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Methods for Optical Calibration of the BigBite Hadron Spectrometer

The techniques for optical calibration of Jefferson Lab's large-acceptance magnetic hadron spectrometer, BigBite, have been examined. The most consistent and stable results were obtained by using a method based on singular value decomposition. In spite of the complexity of the optics, the particles' positions and momenta at the target have been precisely reconstructed from the coordinates measured in the detectors by means of a single back-tracing matrix. The technique is applicable to any similar magnetic spectrometer and any particle type. For 0.55 GeV/c protons, we have established the vertex resolution of 1.2 cm, angular resolutions of 7 mrad and 16 mrad (in-plane and out-of-plane, respectively), and a relative momentum resolution of 1.6%.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Final Analysis of Proton Form Factor Ratio Data at $\mathbf{Q^2 = 4.0}$, 4.8 and 5.6 GeV$\mathbf{^2}$

Precise measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factor ratio $R = μ_p G_E^p/G_M^p$ using the polarization transfer method at Jefferson Lab have revolutionized the understanding of nucleon structure by revealing the strong decrease of $R$ with momentum transfer $Q^2$ for $Q^2 \gtrsim 1$ GeV$^2$, in strong disagreement with previous extractions of $R$ from cross section measurements. In particular, the polarization transfer results have exposed the limits of applicability of the one-photon-exchange approximation and highlighted the role of quark orbital angular momentum in the nucleon structure. The GEp-II experiment in Jefferson Lab's Hall A measured $R$ at four $Q^2$ values in the range 3.5 GeV$^2 \le Q^2 \le 5.6$ GeV$^2$. A possible discrepancy between the originally published GEp-II results and more recent measurements at higher $Q^2$ motivated a new analysis of the GEp-II data. This article presents the final results of the GEp-II experiment, including details of the new analysis, an expanded description of the apparatus and an overview of theoretical progress since the original publication. The key result of the final analysis is a systematic increase in the results for $R$, improving the consistency of the polarization transfer data in the high-$Q^2$ region. This increase is the result of an improved selection of elastic events which largely removes the systematic effect of the inelastic contamination, underestimated by the original analysis.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Beam-Target Double Spin Asymmetry A_LT in Charged Pion Production from Deep Inelastic Scattering on a Transversely Polarized He-3 Target at 1.4<Q^2<2.7 GeV^2

We report the first measurement of the double-spin asymmetry $A_{LT}$ for charged pion electroproduction in semi\nobreakdash-inclusive deep\nobreakdash-inelastic electron scattering on a transversely polarized $^{3}$He target. The kinematics focused on the valence quark region, $0.16<x<0.35$ with $1.4<Q^{2}<2.7\,\textrm{GeV}^{2}$. The corresponding neutron $A_{LT}$ asymmetries were extracted from the measured $^{3}$He asymmetries and proton over $^{3}$He cross section ratios using the effective polarization approximation. These new data probe the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution function $g_{1T}^{q}$ and therefore provide access to quark spin-orbit correlations. Our results indicate a positive azimuthal asymmetry for $π^{-}$ production on $^{3}$He and the neutron, while our $π^{+}$ asymmetries are consistent with zero.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2011

Parity Violating Electron Scattering Measurements of Neutron Densities

Parity violating electron scattering allows model independent measurements of neutron densities that are free from most strong interaction uncertainties. In this paper we present statistical error estimates for a variety of experiments. The neutron radius $R_n$ can be measured in several nuclei, as long as the nuclear excited states are not too low in energy. We present error estimates for $R_n$ measurements in $^{40}$Ca, $^{48}$Ca, $^{112}$Sn, $^{120}$Sn, $^{124}$Sn, and $^{208}$Pb. In general, we find that the smaller the nucleus, the easier the measurement. This is because smaller nuclei can be measured at higher momentum transfers where the parity violating asymmetry $A_{pv}$ is larger. Also in general, the more neutron rich the isotope, the easier the measurement, because neutron rich isotopes have larger weak charges and larger $A_{pv}$. Measuring $R_n$ in $^{48}$Ca appears very promising because it has a higher figure of merit than $^{208}$Pb. In addition, $R_n(^{48}$Ca) may be more easily related to two nucleon and three nucleon interactions, including very interesting three neutron forces, than $R_n(^{208}$Pb). After measuring $R_n$, one can constrain the surface thickness of the neutron density $a_n$ with a second measurement at somewhat higher momentum transfers. We present statistical error estimates for measuring $a_n$ in $^{48}$Ca, $^{120}$Sn, and $^{208}$Pb. Again, we find that $a_n$ is easier to measure in smaller nuclei.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

High Precision Measurement of the Proton Elastic Form Factor Ratio $μ_pG_E/G_M$ at low $Q^2$

We report a new, high-precision measurement of the proton elastic form factor ratio μ_p G_E/G_M for the four-momentum transfer squared Q^2 = 0.3-0.7 (GeV/c)^2. The measurement was performed at Jefferson Lab (JLab) in Hall A using recoil polarimetry. With a total uncertainty of approximately 1%, the new data clearly show that the deviation of the ratio μ_p G_E/G_M from unity observed in previous polarization measurements at high Q^2 continues down to the lowest Q^2 value of this measurement. The updated global fit that includes the new results yields an electric (magnetic) form factor roughly 2% smaller (1% larger) than the previous global fit in this Q^2 range. We obtain new extractions of the proton electric and magnetic radii, which are ^(1/2)=0.875+/-0.010 fm and ^(1/2)=0.867+/-0.020 fm. The charge radius is consistent with other recent extractions based on the electron-proton interaction, including the atomic hydrogen Lamb shift measurements, which suggests a missing correction in the comparison of measurements of the proton charge radius using electron probes and the recent extraction from the muonic hydrogen Lamb shift.

nucl-ex↗