arXiv subjects

S. Strauch

Publications and source records attributed to S. Strauch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The MUSE Target Chamber Post Veto

The Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was developed to address the proton radius puzzle through simultaneous electron-proton and muon-proton scattering using the Paul Scherrer Institute's PiM1 secondary beamline. MUSE uses a large-solid-angle, non-magnetic spectrometer to detect beam particles scattering from a liquid hydrogen cell contained within a vacuum chamber. Due to the large scattering windows, the structural integrity of the chamber is supported by posts located at small scattering angles. While out of the acceptance, particles in the tails of the beam distribution can strike these posts, causing a significant trigger background. We describe the design and performance of the Target Chamber Post Veto (TCPV) detector installed inside the vacuum chamber to remove these background events at the trigger level.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Polarization Observables $T$ and $F$ in the $\gamma p \to \pi^0 p$ Reaction at CLAS

Pion photoproduction in the $\overrightarrow\gamma\overrightarrow p \to \pi^0 p$ reaction has been measured in the FROST experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. In this experiment, circularly polarized photons with energies up to 3.082 GeV impinged on a transversely polarized frozen-spin target. Final-state protons were detected in the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer. Results of the polarization observables $T$ and $F$ have been extracted for $W$ from 1445 MeV to 2525 MeV. The data generally agree with predictions of present partial-wave analyses, but also show marked differences for higher $W$ ranges. By incorporating the present data into the databases, the SAID fits have been improved with relatively small $\chi^2$ and significant changes in the parameters of the $\Delta(1910)1/2^+$ and $N(2190)7/2^-$ have been found with the J\"uBo model.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

The MUSE Beamline Calorimeter

The MUon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was motivated by the proton radius puzzle arising from the discrepancy between muonic hydrogen spectroscopy and electron-proton measurements. The MUSE physics goals also include testing lepton universality, precisely measuring two-photon exchange contribution, and testing radiative corrections. MUSE addresses these physics goals through simultaneous measurement of high precision cross sections for electron-proton and muon-proton scattering using a mixed-species beam. The experiment will run at both positive and negative beam polarities. Measuring precise cross sections requires understanding both the incident beam energy and the radiative corrections. For this purpose, a lead-glass calorimeter was installed at the end of the beam line in the MUSE detector system. In this article we discuss the detector specifications, calibration and performance. We demonstrate that the detector performance is well reproduced by simulation, and meets experimental requirements.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Nuclear density dependence of polarization transfer in quasi-elastic ${\rm A}(\vec{e},e' \vec{p})$ reactions

The ratio of the transverse and longitudinal component of polarization transfer to protons in the quasi-elastic $(\vec{e}, e^{\prime} \vec{p}\,)$ reaction, $P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z$, is sensitive to the proton's electromagnetic form factor ratio, $G_E/G_M$. To explore density-dependent in-medium modifications, a comparison of polarization transfer ratios involving protons from distinct nuclear shells, each with different local nuclear densities, has been proposed. In this study, we present such comparisons between four shells, $1s_{1/2}$, $1p_{3/2}$ in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ and $1d_{3/2}$, $2s_{1/2}$ in $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$. In an effort to account for other many-body effects that may differ between shells, we use a state-of-the-art relativistic distorted-wave impulse-approximation (RDWIA) calculation and present the double ratios, $(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm Data}/(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm RDWIA}$ as well as the super ratios, $\left[(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm A}/(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm B}\right]_{\rm Data}/\left[(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm A}/(P^{\prime}_x/P^{\prime}_z)_{\rm B}\right]_{\rm RDWIA}$, for chosen shells A and B, as a function of effective local nuclear densities. We find that double ratios for individual shells show a dependence on the probed effective nuclear densities. Studying the ratios, we observed a systematic variation between pairs of higher- and lower-density shells.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Blinding for precision scattering experiments: The MUSE approach as a case study

Human bias is capable of changing the analysis of measured data sufficiently to alter the results of an experiment. It is incumbent upon modern experiments, especially those investigating quantities considered contentious in the broader community, to blind their analysis in an effort to minimize bias. The choice of a blinding model is experiment specific, but should also aim to prevent accidental release of results before an analysis is finalized. In this paper, we discuss common threats to an unbiased analysis, as well as common quantities that can be blinded in different types of nuclear physics experiments. We use the Muon Scattering Experiment as an example, and detail the blinding scheme used therein.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2023

Instrumental uncertainties in radiative corrections for the MUSE experiment

The MUSE experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute is measuring elastic lepton-proton scattering cross sections in a four-momentum transfer range from $Q^2$ of approximately 0.002 to 0.08 GeV$^2$ using positively and negatively charged electrons and muons. The extraction of the Born cross sections from the experimental data requires radiative corrections. Estimates of the instrumental uncertainties in those corrections have been made using the ESEPP event generator. The results depend in particular on the minimum lepton momentum that contributes to the experimental cross section and the fraction of events with hard initial-state radiation that is detected in the MUSE calorimeter and is excluded from the data. These results show that the angular-dependent instrumental uncertainties in radiative corrections to the electron cross section are better than 0.4 % and are negligible for the muon cross section.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Measurement of polarization transfer in the quasi-elastic $^{40}{\rm Ca}(\vec{e},e' \vec{p})$ process

Polarization transfer to a bound proton in polarized electron knock-out reactions, $\mathrm{A}(\vec{e},e^{\prime}\vec{p})$, is a powerful tool to look for in-medium modification of the bound proton. It requires comparison to calculations which consider the many-body effects accompanying the quasi-free process. We report here measured components $P_x^{\prime}$, $P_z^{\prime}$, and their ratio $P_x^{\prime}/P_z^{\prime}$, of polarization transfer to protons bound in $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$, which is described well by the shell model and for which reliable calculations are available. While the calculations capture the essence of the data, our statistical precision allows us to observe deviations which cannot be explained by simple scaling, including by varying the proton electromagnetic form factor ratio $G_E/G_M$. We further explore the deviations of the ratio of the polarization transfer components from that of a free proton, $(P_x^{\prime}/P_z^{\prime})_{\rm A}/(P_x^{\prime}/P_z^{\prime})_{\rm H}$, and its dependence on the bound-proton virtuality.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of structure dependent radiative $K^{+} \rightarrow e^{+} νγ$ decays using stopped positive kaons

The structure dependent radiative $K^+ \rightarrow e^+ νγ$ ($K_{e2γ}^{\rm SD^+}$) decay was investigated with stopped positive kaons. The $e^+$ momentum spectra containing 574$\pm$30 $K_{e2γ}^{\rm SD^+}$ events with a $K^+ \rightarrow μ^+ ν$ ($K_{\mu2}$) background of 28$\pm$19 events were measured with and without a photon in coincidence and analyzed with Monte Carlo simulations for acceptance and detector response to extract the ratio of the branching ratio of the $K_{e2γ}^{\rm SD^+}$ decay and the $K^+ \rightarrow e^+ ν$ decay including the internal bremsstrahlung process ($K_{e2(γ)}$). A value of $Br(K_{e2γ}^{\rm SD^+}) / Br(K_{e2(γ)}) = 1.12\pm0.07_{\rm stat} \pm 0.04_{\rm syst}$ was obtained. This indicates a partial branching ratio, $Br(K_{e2γ}^{\rm SD^+}, ~{p_e>200~{\rm MeV}/c}, ~{E_γ>10~{\rm MeV}})/Br(K_{\mu2}) =(1.85 \pm 0.11_{\rm{stat}} \pm 0.07_{\rm{syst}}) \times10^{-5}$, which is $25\%(\sim$2.5$σ)$ higher than the previous experimental result.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Characterization of Muon and Electron Beams in the Paul Scherrer Institute PiM1 Channel for the MUSE Experiment

The MUon Scattering Experiment, MUSE, at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, investigates the proton charge radius puzzle, lepton universality, and two-photon exchange, via simultaneous measurements of elastic muon-proton and electron-proton scattering. The experiment uses the PiM1 secondary beam channel, which was designed for high precision pion scattering measurements. We review the properties of the beam line established for pions. We discuss the production processes that generate the electron and muon beams, and the simulations of these processes. Simulations of the $π$/$μ$/$e$ beams through the channel using TURTLE and G4beamline are compared. The G4beamline simulation is then compared to several experimental measurements of the channel, including the momentum dispersion at the IFP and target, the shape of the beam spot at the target, and timing measurements that allow the beam momenta to be determined. We conclude that the PiM1 channel can be used for high precision $π$, $μ$, and $e$ scattering.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Dispersive Corrections to the Born Approximation in Elastic Electron-Nucleus Scattering in the Intermediate Energy Regime

Measurements of elastic electron scattering data within the past decade have highlighted two-photon exchange contributions as a necessary ingredient in theoretical calculations to precisely evaluate hydrogen elastic scattering cross sections. This correction can modify the cross section at the few percent level. In contrast, dispersive effects can cause significantly larger changes from the Born approximation. The purpose of this experiment is to extract the carbon-12 elastic cross section around the first diffraction minimum, where the Born term contributions to the cross section are small to maximize the sensitivity to dispersive effects. The analysis uses the LEDEX data from the high resolution Jefferson Lab Hall A spectrometers to extract the cross sections near the first diffraction minimum of 12C at beam energies of 362 MeV and 685 MeV. The results are in very good agreement with previous world data, although with less precision. The average deviation from a static nuclear charge distribution expected from linear and quadratic fits indicate a 30.6% contribution of dispersive effects to the cross section at 1 GeV. The magnitude of the dispersive effects near the first diffraction minimum of 12C has been confirmed to be large with a strong energy dependence and could account for a large fraction of the magnitude for the observed quenching of the longitudinal nuclear response. These effects could also be important for nuclei radii extracted from parity-violating asymmetries measured near a diffraction minimum.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

The influence of Fermi motion on the comparison of the polarization transfer to a proton in elastic $\vec ep$ and quasi-elastic $\vec eA$ scattering

A comparison between polarization-transfer to a bound proton in quasi-free kinematics by the A$(\vec{e},e'\vec p)$ knockout reaction and that in elastic scattering off a free proton can provide information on the characteristics of the bound proton. In the past the reported measurements have been compared to those of a free proton with zero initial momentum. We introduce, for the first time, expressions for the polarization-transfer components when the proton is initially in motion and compare them to the $^2$H data measured at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). We show the ratios of the transverse ($P_x$) and longitudinal ($P_z$) components of the polarization transfer in $^2\textrm{H}(\vec{e},e'\vec p)\textrm{n}$, to those of elastic scattering off a "moving proton", assuming the proton's initial (Fermi) momentum equals the negative missing momentum in the measured reaction. We found that the correction due to the proton motion is up to 20\% at high missing momentum. However the effect on the double ratio $\frac{(P_x/P_z)^A}{(P_x/P_z)^{^1\!\textrm{H}}}$ is largely canceled out, as shown for both $^2$H and $^{12}$C data. This implies that the kinematics is not the primary cause for the deviations between quasi-elastic and elastic scattering reported previously.

nucl-ex↗

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.

nucl-ex↗

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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Technical Design Report for the Paul Scherrer Institute Experiment R-12-01.1: Studying the Proton "Radius" Puzzle with μp Elastic Scattering

The difference in proton radii measured with $μp$ atoms and with $ep$ atoms and scattering remains an unexplained puzzle. The PSI MUSE proposal is to measure $μp$ and $e p$ scattering in the same experiment at the same time. The experiment will determine cross sections, two-photon effects, form factors, and radii independently for the two reactions, and will allow $μp$ and $ep$ results to be compared with reduced systematic uncertainties. These data should provide the best test of lepton universality in a scattering experiment to date, about an order of magnitude improvement over previous tests. Measuring scattering with both particle polarities will allow a test of two-photon exchange at the sub-percent level, about a factor of four improvement on uncertainties and over an order of magnitude more data points than previous low momentum transfer determinations, and similar to the current generation of higher momentum transfer electron experiments. The experiment has the potential to demonstrate whether the $μp$ and $ep$ interactions are consistent or different, and whether any difference results from novel physics or two-photon exchange. The uncertainties are such that if the discrepancy is real it should be confirmed with $\approx$5$σ$ significance, similar to that already established between the regular and muonic hydrogen Lamb shift.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Evidence for $Δ(2200)7/2^-$ from photoproduction and consequence for chiral-symmetry restoration at high mass

We report a partial-wave analysis of new data on the double-polarization variable $E$ for the reactions $γp\to π^+ n$ and $γp\to π^0 p$ and of further data published earlier. The analysis within the Bonn-Gatchina (BnGa) formalism reveals evidence for a poorly known baryon resonance, the one-star $Δ(2200)7/2^-$. This is the lowest-mass $Δ^*$ resonance with spin-parity $J^P=7/2^-$. Its mass is significantly higher than the mass of its parity partner $Δ(1950)7/2^+$ which is the lowest-mass $Δ^*$ resonance with spin-parity $J^P=7/2^+$. It has been suggested that chiral symmetry might be restored in the high-mass region of hadron excitations, and that these two resonances should be degenerate in mass. Our findings are in conflict with this prediction.

nucl-ex↗

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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

First Measurement of the Polarization Observable E in the $\vec p(\vec γ,π^+)n$ Reaction up to 2.25 GeV

First results from the longitudinally polarized frozen-spin target (FROST) program are reported. The double-polarization observable E, for the reaction $\vec γ\vec p \to π^+n$, has been measured using a circularly polarized tagged-photon beam, with energies from 0.35 to 2.37 GeV. The final-state pions were detected with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. These polarization data agree fairly well with previous partial-wave analyses at low photon energies. Over much of the covered energy range, however, significant deviations are observed, particularly in the high-energy region where high-L multipoles contribute. The data have been included in new multipole analyses resulting in updated nucleon resonance parameters. We report updated fits from the Bonn-Gatchina, Jülich, and SAID groups.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Polynomial fits and the proton radius puzzle

The Proton Radius Puzzle refers to the ~7σ discrepancy that exists between the proton charge radius determined from muonic hydrogen and that determined from electronic hydrogen spectroscopy and electron-proton scattering. One possible partial resolution to the puzzle includes errors in the extraction of the proton radius from ep elastic scattering data. This possibility is made plausible by certain fits which extract a smaller proton radius from the scattering data consistent with that determined from muonic hydrogen. The reliability of some of these fits that yield a smaller proton radius was studied. We found that fits of form factor data with a truncated polynomial fit are unreliable and systematically give values for the proton radius that are too small. Additionally, a polynomial fit with a χ^2_{reduced} ~ 1 is not a sufficient indication for a reliable result.

nucl-ex↗