Search

We report on the first measurement of cross sections for exclusive deeply virtual pion electroproduction off the proton, e p → e ′ n π + , above the resonance region at backward pion center-of-mass angles. The φ π ⁎ -dependent cross sections were measured, from which we extracted three combinations of structure functions of the proton. Our results are compatible with calculations based on nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes (TDAs). These non-perturbative objects are defined as matrix elements of three-quark-light-cone-operators and characterize partonic correlations with a particular emphasis on baryon charge distribution inside a nucleon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CLAS and Hall A Collaborations at Jefferson Laboratory have recently released new results for the $ e p\rightarrow e p \gamma$ reaction. We analyze these new data within the Generalized Parton Distribution formalism. Employing a fitter algorithm introduced and used in earlier works, we are able to extract from these data new constraints on the kinematical dependence of three Compton Form Factors. Based on experimental data, we subsequently extract the dependence of the proton charge radius on the quarks' longitudinal momentum fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have analyzed the longitudinally polarized proton target asymmetry data of the Deep Virtual Compton process recently published by the HERMES Collaboration in terms of Generalized Parton Distributions. We have fitted these new data in a largely model-independent fashion and the procedure results in numerical constraints on the Compton Form Factor. We present its t- and ξ-dependencies. We also find improvement on the determination of two other Compton Form Factors, and . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have analyzed the beam spin asymmetry and the longitudinally polarized target spin asymmetry of the Deep Virtual Compton Scattering process, recently measured by the Jefferson Lab CLAS collaboration. Our aim is to extract information about the Generalized Parton Distributions of the proton. By fitting these data, in a largely model-independent procedure, we are able to extract numerical values for the two Compton Form Factors and with uncertainties, in average, of the order of 30%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The HERMES Collaboration has recently published a set of (correlated) beam charge, beam spin and target spin asymmetries for the Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) process. This reaction allows in principle to access the Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) of the nucleon. We have fitted, in the QCD leading-order and leading-twist handbag approximation, but in a model-independent way, this set of data and we report our results for the extracted Compton form factors. In particular, we are able to extract constrains on the H GPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ep → e′ pρ0 reaction has been measured using the 5.754GeV electron beam of Jefferson Lab and the CLAS detector. This represents the largest ever set of data for this reaction in the valence region. Integrated and differential cross-sections are presented. The W , Q2 and t dependences of the cross-section are compared to theoretical calculations based on the t -channel meson-exchange Regge theory, on the one hand, and on quark handbag diagrams related to Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) on the other hand. The Regge approach can describe at the $ \approx$ 30% level most of the features of the present data while the two GPD calculations that are presented in this article which succesfully reproduce the high-energy data strongly underestimate the present data. The question is then raised whether this discrepancy originates from an incomplete or inexact way of modelling the GPDs or the associated hard scattering amplitude or whether the GPD formalism is simply inapplicable in this region due to higher-twists contributions, incalculable at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a fitting code based on the leading-twist handbag Deep Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) amplitude in order to extract Generalized Parton Distribution (GPD) information from DVCS observables in the valence region. In a first stage, with simulations and pseudo-data, we show that the full GPD information can be recovered from experimental data if enough observables are measured. If only some of these observables are measured, valuable information can still be extracted, with certain observables being particularly sensitive to certain GPDs. In a second stage, we make a practical application of this code to the recent DVCS Jefferson Lab Hall-A data from which we can extract numerical constraints for the two H GPD Compton form factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We give a pedagogical introduction to the field of Generalized Parton Distributions and review shortly the experimental situation and perspective for Deep Virtual Compton Scattering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the following, the subject of Deep Virtual Compton Scattering on the nucleon and its relation to the recently introduced concept of Generalized Parton Distributions are briefly reviewed. The general theoretical framework and the links between theory and experiment will be outlined and the recently published data which look promising for the development of this field will be discussed. Finally, the experimental prospectives of the domain will be presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The longitudinal and transverse components of the cross section for the reaction were measured in Hall B at Jefferson Laboratory using the CLAS detector. The data were taken with a 4.247 GeV electron beam and were analyzed in a range of from 0.2 to 0.6 and of from 1.5 to 3.0 GeV2. The data are compared to a Regge model based on effective hadronic degrees of freedom and to a calculation based on Generalized Parton Distributions. It is found that, at our lowest values, the transverse part of the cross section is well described by the former approach while the longitudinal part can be reproduced by the latter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Power-suppressed corrections coming from the end-point integration regions in the amplitude of the processat largeQ2 and small squared center-of-mass energyW2 are calculated in the QCD hard-scattering approach where the amplitudes factorize in a hard perturbatively calculable part and a generalized distribution amplitude. The running coupling method and the technique of infrared renormalon calculus are applied to obtain Borel resummed expressions for the two main components of the process amplitude. Numerical estimates for these power corrections are presented. They are sizeable whenQ2<10 GeV2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "A fitter code for Deep Virtual Compton Scattering and Generalized Parton Distributions" that was published online on March 18, 2009 is presented.

The Central Neutron Detector, a recently constructed scintillator barrel which is used in CLAS12 at Jefferson Lab to detect 0.2–1 GeV neutrons at backwards angles, is here described. The motivations and R&D tests leading to its final design, based on three radial layers of coupled paddles with one-side light readout by photomultipliers plus “U-turn” lightguides on the other side, are outlined. The performance of the detector, evaluated from cosmic-ray tests and simulations, which satisfies the physics requirements, is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transverse momentum distributions and generalized parton distributions provide a comprehensive framework for the three-dimensional imaging of the nucleon and the nucleus experimentally using deeply virtual semiexclusive and exclusive processes. The advent of combined high luminosity facilities and large acceptance detector capabilities enables experimental investigation of the partonic structure of hadrons with time-like virtual probes, in complement to the rich on-going space-like virtual probe program. The merits and benefits of the dilepton production channel for nuclear structure studies are discussed within the context of the International Workshop on Nucleon and Nuclear Structure through Dilepton Production taking place at the European Center for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*) of Trento. Particularly, the double deeply virtual Compton scattering, the time-like Compton scattering, the deeply virtual meson production, and the Drell-Yan processes are reviewed and a strategy for high impact experimental measurements is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Heavy Photon Search experiment (HPS) is searching for a new gauge boson, the so-called “heavy photon.” Through its kinetic mixing with the Standard Model photon, this particle could decay into an electron-positron pair. It would then be detectable as a narrow peak in the invariant mass spectrum of such pairs, or, depending on its lifetime, by a decay downstream of the production target. The HPS experiment is installed in Hall-B of Jefferson Lab. This article presents the design and performance of one of the two detectors of the experiment, the electromagnetic calorimeter, during the runs performed in 2015–2016. The calorimeter's main purpose is to provide a fast trigger and reduce the copious background from electromagnetic processes through matching with a tracking detector. The detector is a homogeneous calorimeter, made of 442 lead-tungstate (PbWO 4 ) scintillating crystals, each read out by an avalanche photodiode coupled to a custom trans-impedance amplifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unpolarized and beam-polarized fourfold cross sections (d4σ/dQ2dxBdtdϕ) for the ep → e'p'γ reaction were measured using the CLAS detector and the 5.75-GeV polarized electron beam of the Jefferson Lab accelerator, for 110 (Q2,xB, t) bins over the widest phase space ever explored in the valencequark region. Several models of generalized parton distributions (GPDs) describe the data well at most of our kinematics. This increases our confidence that we understand the GPD H, expected to be the dominant contributor to these observables. Through a leading-twist extraction of Compton form factors, these results support the model predictions of a larger nucleon size at lower quark-momentum fraction xB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The $ \Sigma$ beam asymmetry in the photoproduction of neutral pions from quasi-free nucleons in a deuteron target was measured for the first time between 0.60 and 1.50GeV, with the GRAAL polarized and tagged photon beam. The asymmetry values from the quasi-free proton were found equal to the ones extracted from a pure proton target. The asymmetries from quasi-free proton and quasi-free neutron were found equal up to 0.82GeV and substantially different at higher energies. The results are compared with recent partial-wave analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The double polarization (beam-recoil) observables $\ensuremath O_x$ and $\ensuremath O_z$ have been measured for the reaction $ \gamma$ p → K+ $ \Lambda$ from threshold production to $\ensuremath E_{\gamma} \sim 1500$ MeV. The data were obtained with the linearly polarized beam of the GRAAL facility. Values for the target asymmetry T could also be extracted despite the use of an unpolarized target. Analyses of our results by two isobar models tend to confirm the necessity to include new or poorly known resonances in the 1900MeV mass region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New experimental approach to study meson photoproduction in nuclei is discussed. It is based on the measurement of the recoil nucleon as a tagger for identification of the initial step of reaction. Propagation of mesons and nucleons within a nucleus is described by the Intra-Nuclear Cascade (INC) model. Simulations and preliminary experimental data for the deuteron target obtained at GRAAL are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The total photoabsorption cross section on a free proton was measured at the GRAAL facility in the energy range E γ = 600−1500 MeV. The large-aperture LAGRANγE detector and a liquid hydrogen target were used in the experiment performed with a back-scattered Compton gamma beam. To improve the accuracy, two alternative methods were employed. First, a subtraction method of using empty-target measurements allowed the cross section σ tot to be evaluated directly because of a low level of the electromagnetic background. Second, an algorithm for evaluating σ tot on the basis of summing the dominating partial cross sections was developed. Experimental results obtained for σ tot by the two methods are compared with existing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam asymmetry and differential cross-section for the reaction γ p → η p were measured from production threshold to 1500MeV photon laboratory energy. The two dominant neutral decay modes of the η -meson, η → 2γ and η → 3π0 , were analyzed. The full set of measurements is in good agreement with previously published results. Our data were compared with three models. They all fit satisfactorily the results but their respective resonance contributions are quite different. The possible photoexcitation of a narrow state N(1670) was investigated and no evidence was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The photoproduction of double on the neutron is studied in the beam energy range of 0.6 up to 1.5 GeV, using a liquid deuterium target. The cross section and the beam asymmetry are extracted and compared to those previously obtained on a proton target. The theoretical interpretation of these results is given using different models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Meson photoproduction with polarized photons has proved to be a powerful tool to identify contributions of baryon resonances that are not evident in the differential cross-sections. It provides information that are complementary to those extracted using pion-nucleon scattering data. Extensive results have been produced in the past on beam asymmetries by the Graal collaboration for η and π 0 on the proton. New results are now available for the same reactions on the quasi-free neutron and for the K+ photoproduction on the proton. Contributions from hitherto undetected baryon resonances may be important to understand the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a Deuterium target, the GRAAL experiment has collected meson photoproduction data. The data have been analysed in the quasi free regime. The results of the quasi free process on the proton reproduce quite well the results previously obtained with a Hydrogen target. The preliminary results on the quasi free neutron for π0 and η photoproduction are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam asymmetries and hyperon recoil polarizations for the reactions γ p → K +Λ and γ p → K +Σ0 have been measured from the threshold production to 1500MeV with the GRAAL facility located at the ESRF in Grenoble. These results complement the database for the beam asymmetry, covering for the first time the production threshold region. Recent theoretical analyses are presented for which the beam asymmetry data bring interesting new information and allow to better determine some resonance parameters. Most importantly, these results strengthen the need of a new D13 state around 1900MeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experimental results on the neutron detection efficiency of the GRAAL BGO calorimeter obtained from a study of reaction are reported. Pulse height spectra were measured for neutron energies from 80 to 650MeV. A comparison of the experimental data with a GEANT-based simulation is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The exclusive ω electroproduction off the proton was studied in a large kinematical domain above the nucleon resonance region and for the highest possible photon virtuality (Q2) with the 5.75 GeV beam at CEBAF and the CLAS spectrometer. Cross-sections were measured up to large values of the four-momentum transfer (- t< 2.7 GeV2) to the proton. The contributions of the interference terms σ{TT} and σ{TL} to the cross-sections, as well as an analysis of the ω spin density matrix, indicate that helicity is not conserved in this process. The t-channel π0 exchange, or more generally the exchange of the associated Regge trajectory, seems to dominate the reaction γ* p↦ω p, even for Q2 as large as 5 GeV2. Contributions of handbag diagrams, related to Generalized Parton Distributions in the nucleon, are therefore difficult to extract for this process. Remarkably, the high- t behaviour of the cross-sections is nearly Q2-independent, which may be interpreted as a coupling of the photon to a point-like object in this kinematical limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, we will present our first preliminary measurement of the differential cross section for the reaction γn → ηn. Comparison of the reactions γ → ηp for free and bound proton (D2 target) will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polarised and tagged $\vec\gamma$ ray beam is produced at GRAAL by the Compton scattering of laser light on the high energy electron of the ESRF storage ring. We present results on the beam polarisation asymmetries and cross sections in the photoproduction of mesons on hydrogen and deuterium target in the energy region 500-1500 MeV. These very precise results cover the angular range 30°-150°, providing stringent constraints to theoretical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the angular fluctuations in the speed of light with respect to the apex of the dipole of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation using the experimental data obtained with GRAAL facility, located at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. The measurements were based on the stability of the Compton edge of laser photons scattered on the 6 GeV monochromatic electron beam. The results enable one to obtain a conservative constraint on the anisotropy in the light speed variations Δc(θ)/c<3×10-12, i.e. with higher precision than from previous experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The static polarization of HD samples has been achieved using “brute force”, for HD samples purified by double distillation. Proton polarization in excess of 60% and deuteron vector polarization higher than 14% have been reached. It has been demonstrated that the ageing technique allows to get relaxation times at 1.5 K and 1 T larger than a week. It is advocated that the conventional dynamic polarization of HD should be feasible for the proton and the deuteron contained in the HD molecule. This would simplify considerably the machinery presently necessary to perform nuclear physics experiments with HD targets polarized by the static method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe the architecture and functionalities of a C++ software framework, coined PARTONS, dedicated to the phenomenology of Generalized Parton Distributions. These distributions describe the three-dimensional structure of hadrons in terms of quarks and gluons, and can be accessed in deeply exclusive lepto- or photo-production of mesons or photons. PARTONS provides a necessary bridge between models of Generalized Parton Distributions and experimental data collected in various exclusive production channels. We outline the specification of the PARTONS framework in terms of practical needs, physical content and numerical capacity. This framework will be useful for physicists - theorists or experimentalists - not only to develop new models, but also to interpret existing measurements and even design new experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]