Search

Systematic differences in the the proton's charge radius, as determined by ordinary atoms and muonic atoms, have caused a resurgence of interest in elastic lepton scattering measurements. The proton's charge radius, defined as the slope of the charge form factor at Q$^2$=0, does not depend on the probe. Any difference in the apparent size of the proton, when determined from ordinary versus muonic hydrogen, could point to new physics or need for the higher order corrections. While recent measurements seem to now be in agreement, there is to date no high precision elastic scattering data with both electrons and positrons. A high precision proton radius measurement could be performed in Hall B at Jefferson Lab with a positron beam and the calorimeter based setup of the PRad experiment. This measurement could also be extended to deuterons where a similar discrepancy has been observed between the muonic and electronic determination of deuteron charge radius. A new, high precision measurement with positrons, when viewed alongside electron scattering measurements and the forthcoming MUSE muon scattering measurement, could help provide new insights into the origins of the proton radius puzzle, and also provide new experimental constraints on radiative correction calculations., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2007.15081

Elastic electron–proton scattering (e–p) and the spectroscopy of hydrogen atoms are the two methods traditionally used to determine the proton charge radius, rp. In 2010, a new method using muonic hydrogen atoms1 found a substantial discrepancy compared with previous results2, which became known as the ‘proton radius puzzle’. Despite experimental and theoretical efforts, the puzzle remains unresolved. In fact, there is a discrepancy between the two most recent spectroscopic measurements conducted on ordinary hydrogen3,4. Here we report on the proton charge radius experiment at Jefferson Laboratory (PRad), a high-precision e–p experiment that was established after the discrepancy was identified. We used a magnetic-spectrometer-free method along with a windowless hydrogen gas target, which overcame several limitations of previous e–p experiments and enabled measurements at very small forward-scattering angles. Our result, rp = 0.831 ± 0.007stat ± 0.012syst femtometres, is smaller than the most recent high-precision e–p measurement5 and 2.7 standard deviations smaller than the average of all e–p experimental results6. The smaller rp we have now measured supports the value found by two previous muonic hydrogen experiments1,7. In addition, our finding agrees with the revised value (announced in 2019) for the Rydberg constant8—one of the most accurately evaluated fundamental constants in physics. A magnetic-spectrometer-free method for electron–proton scattering data reveals a proton charge radius 2.7 standard deviations smaller than the currently accepted value from electron–proton scattering, yet consistent with other recent experiments.

Author(s): Puckett, AJR; Brash, EJ; Jones, MK; Luo, W; Meziane, M; Pentchev, L; Perdrisat, CF; Punjabi, V; Wesselmann, FR; Afanasev, A; Ahmidouch, A; Albayrak, I; Aniol, KA; Arrington, J; Asaturyan, A; Baghdasaryan, H; Benmokhtar, F; Bertozzi, W; Bimbot, L; Bosted, P; Boeglin, W; Butuceanu, C; Carter, P; Chernenko, S; Christy, ME; Cornejo, JC; Covrig, S; Danagoulian, S; Daniel, A; Davidenko, A; Day, D; Dhamija, S; Dutta, D; Ent, R; Frullani, S; Fenker, H; Frlez, E; Garibaldi, F; Gaskell, D; Gilad, S; Gilman, R; Goncharenko, Y; Hafidi, K; Hamilton, D; Higinbotham, DW; Hinton, W; Horn, T; Hu, B; Huang, J; Huber, GM; Jensen, E; Keppel, C; Khandaker, M; King, P; Kirillov, D; Kohl, M; Kravtsov, V; Kumbartzki, G; Li, Y; Mamyan, V; Margaziotis, DJ; Marsh, A; Matulenko, Y; Maxwell, J; Mbianda, G; Meekins, D; Melnik, Y; Miller, J; Mkrtchyan, A; Mkrtchyan, H; Moffit, B; Moreno, O; Mulholland, J; Narayan, A; Nedev, S; Nuruzzaman; Piasetzky, E; Pierce, W; Piskunov, NM; Prok, Y; Ransome, RD; Razin, DS; Reimer, P; Reinhold, J; Rondon, O | Abstract: The GEp-III and GEp-2γ experiments, carried out in Jefferson Lab's Hall C from 2007–2008, consisted of measurements of polarization transfer in elastic electron–proton scattering at momentum transfers of Q2=2.5,5.2,6.8, and 8.54 GeV 2. These measurements were carried out to improve knowledge of the proton electromagnetic form factor ratio R=μpGEp∕GMp at large values of Q2 and to search for effects beyond the Born approximation in polarization transfer observables at Q2=2.5GeV2. The final results of both experiments were reported in a recent archival publication. A full reanalysis of the data from both experiments was carried out in order to reduce the systematic and, for the GEp-2γ experiment, statistical uncertainties. This technical note provides additional details of the final analysis omitted from the main publication, including the final evaluation of the systematic uncertainties.

We report a precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry A_{PV} in the elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from ^{208}Pb. We measure A_{PV}=550±16(stat)±8(syst) parts per billion, leading to an extraction of the neutral weak form factor F_{W}(Q^{2}=0.00616 GeV^{2})=0.368±0.013. Combined with our previous measurement, the extracted neutron skin thickness is R_{n}-R_{p}=0.283±0.071 fm. The result also yields the first significant direct measurement of the interior weak density of ^{208}Pb: ρ_{W}^{0}=-0.0796±0.0036(exp)±0.0013(theo) fm^{-3} leading to the interior baryon density ρ_{b}^{0}=0.1480±0.0036(exp)±0.0013(theo) fm^{-3}. The measurement accurately constrains the density dependence of the symmetry energy of nuclear matter near saturation density, with implications for the size and composition of neutron stars.

Quasielastic C12(e,e′p) scattering was measured at spacelike 4-momentum transfer squared Q2=8, 9.4, 11.4, and 14.2 (GeV/c)2, the highest ever achieved to date. Nuclear transparency for this reaction was extracted by comparing the measured yield to that expected from a plane-wave impulse approximation calculation without any final state interactions. The measured transparency was consistent with no Q2 dependence, up to proton momenta of 8.5 GeV/c, ruling out the quantum chromodynamics effect of color transparency at the measured Q2 scales in exclusive (e,e′p) reactions. These results impose strict constraints on models of color transparency for protons.

Positron beams, both polarized and unpolarized, are identified as essential ingredients for the experimental programs at the next generation of lepton accelerators. In the context of the hadronic physics program at Jefferson Lab (JLab), positron beams are complementary, even essential, tools for a precise understanding of the electromagnetic structure of nucleons and nuclei, in both the elastic and deep-inelastic regimes. For instance, elastic scattering of polarized and unpolarized electrons and positrons from the nucleon enables a model independent determination of its electromagnetic form factors. Also, the deeply-virtual scattering of polarized and unpolarized electrons and positrons allows unambiguous separation of the different contributions to the cross section of the lepto-production of photons and of lepton-pairs, enabling an accurate determination of the nucleons and nuclei generalized parton distributions, and providing an access to the gravitational form factors. Furthermore, positron beams offer the possibility of alternative tests of the Standard Model of particle physics through the search of a dark photon, the precise measurement of electroweak couplings, and the investigation of charged lepton flavor violation. This document discusses the perspectives of an experimental program with high duty-cycle positron beams at JLab., Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures This version superseeds the previous version which scientific content was decomposed into several more elaborated articles. All of these articles will be collected in the EPJ A Topical Issue about "Positron beam and physics at Jefferson Lab (e+@Jlab)"

We report on a windowless, high-density, gas flow target at Jefferson Lab that was used to measure $r_p$, the root-mean-square charge radius of the proton. To our knowledge, this is the first such system used in a fixed-target experiment at a (non-storage ring) electron accelerator. The target achieved its design goal of an areal density of 2$\times$10$^{18}$ atoms/cm$^2$, with the gas uniformly distributed over the 4 cm length of the cell and less than 1% residual gas outside the cell. This design eliminated scattering from the end caps of the target cell, a problem endemic to previous measurements of the proton charge radius in electron scattering experiments, and permitted a precise, model-independent extraction of $r_p$ by reaching unprecedentedly low values of $Q^2$, the square of the electron's transfer of four-momentum to the proton.

We propose to use the High Momentum Spectrometer of Hall C combined with the Neutral Particle Spectrometer (NPS) to perform high precision measurements of the Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) cross section using a beam of positrons. The combination of measurements with oppositely charged incident beams is the only unambiguous way to disentangle the contribution of the DVCS $$^2$$ term in the photon electroproduction cross section from its interference with the Bethe-Heitler amplitude. This provides a stronger way to constrain the Generalized Parton Distributions of the nucleon. A wide range of kinematics accessible with an 11 GeV beam off an unpolarized proton target will be covered. The $$Q^2-$$ dependence of each contribution will be measured independently.

$^{2}\mathrm{H}(e,e'p)n$ cross sections have been measured at 4-momentum transfers of $Q^{2} = 4.5 \pm 0.5$ (GeV/c)$^{2}$ over a range of neutron recoil momenta, $p_{\mathrm{r}}$, reaching up to $\sim1.0$ GeV/c. The data were obtained at fixed neutron recoil angles $\theta_{nq} = 35^\circ$, $45^\circ$ and $75^{\circ}$ with respect to the 3-momentum transfer $\vec q$. The new data agree well with previous data which reached $p_{\mathrm{r}}\sim500$ MeV/c. At $\theta_{nq} = 35^\circ$ and $45^\circ$, final state interactions (FSI), meson exchange currents (MEC) and isobar currents (IC) are suppressed and the plane wave impulse approximation (PWIA) provides the dominant cross section contribution. The new data are compared to recent theoretical calculations, where we observe a significant discrepancy for missing momenta $p_{\mathrm{r}}>700$ MeV/c., Comment: main article: 6 pages, 2 figures | supplemental material: 7 pages, 13 figures | numerical tables of cross sections for data and theory are provided as ancillary material | This version has minor additions in the concluding paragraph to address the light-cone / EFT formalisms in the context of this experiment. The supplemental materials have new Fig. 10, and modified Fig. 9

A beam-normal single-spin asymmetry generated in the scattering of transversely polarized electrons from unpolarized nucleons is an observable related to the imaginary part of the two-photon exchange process. We report a 2% precision measurement of the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry in elastic electron-proton scattering with a mean scattering angle of theta_lab = 7.9 degrees and a mean energy of 1.149 GeV. The asymmetry result is B_n = -5.194 +- 0.067 (stat) +- 0.082 (syst) ppm. This is the most precise measurement of this quantity available to date and therefore provides a stringent test of two-photon exchange models at far-forward scattering angles (theta_lab -> 0) where they should be most reliable., 6 pages, 3 figures; Slightly revised version, after referee's comments; accepted in PRL

We report the first measurement of the (e,e^{'}p) three-body breakup reaction cross sections in helium-3 (^{3}He) and tritium (^{3}H) at large momentum transfer [⟨Q^{2}⟩≈1.9 (GeV/c)^{2}] and x_{B}>1 kinematics, where the cross section should be sensitive to quasielastic (QE) scattering from single nucleons. The data cover missing momenta 40≤p_{miss}≤500 MeV/c that, in the QE limit with no rescattering, equals the initial momentum of the probed nucleon. The measured cross sections are compared with state-of-the-art ab initio calculations. Overall good agreement, within ±20%, is observed between data and calculations for the full p_{miss} range for ^{3}H and for 100≤p_{miss}≤350 MeV/c for ^{3}He. Including the effects of rescattering of the outgoing nucleon improves agreement with the data at p_{miss}>250 MeV/c and suggests contributions from charge-exchange (SCX) rescattering. The isoscalar sum of ^{3}He plus ^{3}H, which is largely insensitive to SCX, is described by calculations to within the accuracy of the data over the entire p_{miss} range. This validates current models of the ground state of the three-nucleon system up to very high initial nucleon momenta of 500 MeV/c.

Testing the chiral anomaly Pi mesons, also known as pions, consist of a quark and an antiquark and are extremely unstable. Neutral pions have a lifetime of only ∼80 attoseconds, decaying into two photons. Quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of quarks and gluons, predicts this decay and the associated lifetime using the mechanism of broken chiral symmetry—the so-called chiral anomaly. Measuring the lifetime to high precision then provides a benchmark for theories that aim to improve on this original prediction. Larin et al. measured this lifetime with an uncertainty that was half that of the previous most precise result (see the Perspective by Meyer). The measured value was consistent with the original QCD prediction and less consistent with other theoretical approaches. Science , this issue p. 506 ; see also p. 469

To extract the charge radius of the proton, $r_{p}$, from the electron scattering data, the PRad collaboration at Jefferson Lab has developed a rigorous framework for finding the best functional forms - the fitters - for a robust extraction of $r_{p}$ from a wide variety of sample functions for the range and uncertainties of the PRad data. In this paper we utilize and further develop this framework. Herein we discuss methods for searching for the best fitter candidates as well as a procedure for testing the robustness of extraction of the deuteron charge radius, $r_{d}$, from parametrizations based on elastic electron-deuteron scattering data. The ansatz proposed in this paper for the robust extraction of $r_{d}$, for the proposed low-$Q^{2}$ DRad experiment at Jefferson Lab, can be further improved once there are more data., Comment: 14 pages, 3 tables and 9 figures

We have performed a novel comparison between electron-beam polarimeters based on Møller and Compton scattering. A sequence of electron-beam polarization measurements were performed at low beam currents (< 5μA) during the Q[subscript weak] experiment in Hall-C at Jefferson Lab. These low current measurements were bracketed by the regular high current (180 μA) operation of the Compton polarimeter. All measurements were found to be consistent within experimental uncertainties of 1% or less, demonstrating that electron polarization does not depend significantly on the beam current. This result lends confidence to the common practice of applying Møller measurements made at low beam currents to physics experiments performed at higher beam currents. The agreement between two polarimetry techniques based on independent physical processes sets an important benchmark for future precision asymmetry measurements that require sub-1% precision in polarimetry. Keywords: Electron polarimetry, Compton polarimeter, Møller polarimeter, Jefferson Lab, United States. Department of Energy (Contract AC05-06OR23177), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Hadronic reactions producing strange quarks such as exclusive or semi-inclusive kaon production, play an important role in studies of hadron structure and the dynamics that bind the most basic elements of nuclear physics. The small-angle capability of the new Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) in Hall C, coupled with its high momentum reach - up to the anticipated 11-GeV beam energy in Hall C - and coincidence capability with the well-understood High Momentum Spectrometer, will allow for probes of such hadron structure involving strangeness down to the smallest distance scales to date. To cleanly select the kaons, a threshold aerogel Cerenkov detector has been constructed for the SHMS. The detector consists of an aerogel tray followed by a diffusion box. Four trays for aerogel of nominal refractive indices of n=1.030, 1.020, 1.015 and 1.011 were constructed. The tray combination will allow for identification of kaons from 1 GeV/c up to 7.2 GeV/c, reaching 10-2 proton and 10-3 pion rejection, with kaon detection efficiency better than 95%. The diffusion box of the detector is equipped with 14 five-inch diameter photomultiplier tubes. Its interior walls are covered with Gore diffusive reflector, which is superior to the commonly used Millipore paper and improvedmore » the detector performance by 35%. The inner surface of the two aerogel trays with higher refractive index is covered with Millipore paper, however, those two trays with lower aerogel refractive index are again covered with Gore diffusive reflector for higher performance. The measured mean number of photoelectrons in saturation is ~12 for n=1.030, ~8 for n=1.020, ~10 for n=1.015, and ~5.5 for n=1.011. The design details, the results of component characterization, and initial performance tests and optimization of the detector are presented.« less

We report the first measurement of the $(e,e'p)$ reaction cross-section ratios for Helium-3 ($^3$He), Tritium ($^3$H), and Deuterium ($d$). The measurement covered a missing momentum range of $40 \le p_{miss} \le 550$ MeV$/c$, at large momentum transfer ($\langle Q^2 \rangle \approx 1.9$ (GeV$/c$)$^2$) and $x_B>1$, which minimized contributions from non quasi-elastic (QE) reaction mechanisms. The data is compared with plane-wave impulse approximation (PWIA) calculations using realistic spectral functions and momentum distributions. The measured and PWIA-calculated cross-section ratios for $^3$He$/d$ and $^3$H$/d$ extend to just above the typical nucleon Fermi-momentum ($k_F \approx 250$ MeV$/c$) and differ from each other by $\sim 20\%$, while for $^3$He/$^3$H they agree within the measurement accuracy of about 3\%. At momenta above $k_F$, the measured $^3$He/$^3$H ratios differ from the calculation by $20\% - 50\%$. Final state interaction (FSI) calculations using the generalized Eikonal Approximation indicate that FSI should change the $^3$He/$^3$H cross-section ratio for this measurement by less than 5\%. If these calculations are correct, then the differences at large missing momenta between the $^3$He/$^3$H experimental and calculated ratios could be due to the underlying $NN$ interaction, and thus could provide new constraints on the previously loosely-constrained short-distance parts of the $NN$ interaction., 8 pages, 3 figures (4 panels)

The cross section of atomic electron Compton scattering $\gamma + e \rightarrow \gamma^\prime + e^\prime $ was measured in the 4.40--5.475 GeV photon beam energy region by the {\em PrimEx} collaboration at Jefferson Lab with an accuracy of 2\% and less. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions that include next-to-leading order radiative corrections. The measurements provide the first high precision test of this elementary QED process at beam energies greater than 0.1 GeV., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Although the proton was discovered about 100 years ago, its spin structure still remains a mystery. Recent studies suggest that the orbital angular momentum of sea quarks could significantly contribute to the proton's spin. The SeaQuest experiment, which recently completed data collection, probed the unpolarized light quark sea distributions of the proton using the Drell-Yan process. Its successor, the SpinQuest (E1039), will access the $\bar{u}$ and $\bar{d}$ Sivers functions using polarized NH$_3$ and ND$_3$ targets. A non-zero Sivers asymmetry, observed in SpinQuest, would be a strong indication of non-zero sea-quark orbital angular momentum. The SpinQuest experiment can also probe the sea quark's transversity distribution, which is relevant for the determination of proton's tensor charge. Recent study suggests that sea-quarks might contribute significantly to deuteron's tensor polarized structure functions. This can be further probed in SpinQuest using tensor polarized ND$_3$ target. The current status and future plan of the experiment are presented.

We present extractions of the nucleon nonsinglet moments utilizing new precision data on the deuteron F_{2} structure function at large Bjorken-x determined via the Rosenbluth separation technique at Jefferson Lab Experimental Hall C. These new data are combined with a complementary set of data on the proton previously measured in Hall C at similar kinematics and world datasets on the proton and deuteron at lower x measured at SLAC and CERN. The new Jefferson Lab data provide coverage of the upper third of the x range, crucial for precision determination of the higher moments. In contrast to previous extractions, these moments have been corrected for nuclear effects in the deuteron using a new global fit to the deuteron and proton data. The obtained experimental moments represent an order of magnitude improvement in precision over previous extractions using high x data. Moreover, recent exciting developments in lattice QCD calculations provide a first ever comparison of these new experimental results with calculations of moments carried out at the physical pion mass, as well as a new approach that first calculates the quark distributions directly before determining moments.

The fields of particle and nuclear physics have undertaken extensive programs to search for evidence of physics beyond that explained by current theories. The observation of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider completed the set of particles predicted by the Standard Model (SM), currently the best description of fundamental particles and forces. However, the theory's limitations include a failure to predict fundamental parameters and the inability to account for dark matter/energy, gravity, and the matter-antimater asymmetry in the universe, among other phenomena. Given the lack of additional particles found so far through direct searches in the post-Higgs era, indirect searches utilizing precise measurements of well predicted SM observables allow highly targeted alternative tests for physics beyond the SM. Indirect searches have the potential to reach mass/energy scales beyond those directly accessible by today's high-energy accelerators. The value of the weak charge of the proton Q_W^p is an example of such an indirect search, as it sets the strength of the proton's interaction with particles via the well-predicted neutral electroweak force. Parity violation (invariance under spatial inversion (x,y,z) -> (-x,-y,-z)) is violated only in the weak interaction, thus providing a unique tool to isolate the weak interaction in order to measure the proton's weak charge. Here we report Q_W^p=0.0719+-0.0045, as extracted from our measured parity-violating (PV) polarized electron-proton scattering asymmetry, A_ep=-226.5+-9.3 ppb. Our value of Q_W^p is in excellent agreement with the SM, and sets multi-TeV-scale constraints on any semi-leptonic PV physics not described within the SM., Direct link to Nature Version "https://rdcu.be/954U"

The Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment (SANE) measured two double spin asymmetries using a polarized proton target and polarized electron beam at two beam energies, 4.7 GeV and 5.9 GeV. A large-acceptance open-configuration detector package identified scattered electrons at 40$^{\circ}$ and covered a wide range in Bjorken $x$ ($0.3 < x < 0.8$). Proportional to an average color Lorentz force, the twist-3 matrix element, $\tilde{d}_2^p$, was extracted from the measured asymmetries at $Q^2$ values ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 GeV$^2$. The data display the opposite sign compared to most quark models, including the lattice QCD result, and an apparently unexpected scale dependence. Furthermore when combined with the neutron data in the same $Q^2$ range the results suggest a flavor independent average color Lorentz force.

Extracting the proton charge radius from electron scattering data requires determining the slope of the charge form factor at $Q^2$ of zero. But as experimental data never reach that limit, numerous methods for making the extraction have been proposed, though often the functions are determined after seeing the data which can lead to confirmation bias. To find functional forms that will allow for a robust extraction of the input radius for a wide variety of functional forms in order to have confidence in the extraction from upcoming low $Q^2$ experimental data such as the Jefferson Lab PRad experiment, we create a general framework for inputting form-factor functions as well as various fitting functions. The input form factors are used to generate pseudo-data with fluctuations intended to mimic the binning and random uncertainty of a given set of real data. All combinations of input functions and fit functions can then be tested repeatedly against regenerated pseudo-data. Since the input radius is known, this allows us to find fit functions that are robust for radius extractions in an objective fashion. For the range and uncertainty of the PRad data, we find that a two-parameter rational function, a two-parameter continued fraction and the second order polynomial expansion of $z$ can extract the input radius regardless of the input charge form factor function that is used. We have created an easily expandable framework to search for functional forms that allow for a robust extraction of the radius from a given binning and uncertainty of pseudo-data generated from a wide variety of trial functions. This method has enabled a successful search for the best functional forms to extract the radius from the upcoming PRad data and can be used for other experiments.

The existence of highest proton numbers at which the nuclear landscape cease to ex- ist, the end of the periodic table of elements and the limits of the existence of the nu- clei are some of the difficult questions to answer. To explore those questions, we in- vestigated hyperheavy nuclei ( Z e"126) using covariant density functional theory. We demonstrate the existence of three regions of spherical hyperheavy nuclei centered around ( Z <"138, N <"230), ( Z <"156, N <"310) and ( Z <"174, N <"410). Also, we explored other properties of hyperheavy nuclei such as octupole deformation, alpha decay half lives, chemical potential, etc.

The Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment (SANE) performed inclusive, double-polarized electron scattering measurements of the proton at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility at Jefferson Lab. A novel detector array observed scattered electrons of four-momentum transfer 2 . 5 Q 2 6 . 5 GeV 2 and Bjorken scaling 0 . 3 x 0 . 8 from initial beam energies of 4.7 and 5.9 GeV. Employing a polarized proton target whose magnetic field direction could be rotated with respect to the incident electron beam, both parallel and near perpendicular spin asymmetries were measured, allowing model-independent access to transverse polarization observables A 1 , A 2 , g 1 , g 2 and moment d 2 of the proton. This document summarizes the operation and performance of the polarized target, polarized electron beam, and novel detector systems used during the course of the experiment, and describes analysis techniques utilized to access the physics observables of interest.

Author(s): Puckett, AJR; Brash, EJ; Jones, MK; Luo, W; Meziane, M; Pentchev, L; Perdrisat, CF; Punjabi, V; Wesselmann, FR; Afanasev, A; Ahmidouch, A; Albayrak, I; Aniol, KA; Arrington, J; Asaturyan, A; Baghdasaryan, H; Benmokhtar, F; Bertozzi, W; Bimbot, L; Bosted, P; Boeglin, W; Butuceanu, C; Carter, P; Chernenko, S; Christy, ME; Commisso, M; Cornejo, JC; Covrig, S; Danagoulian, S; Daniel, A; Davidenko, A; Day, D; Dhamija, S; Dutta, D; Ent, R; Frullani, S; Fenker, H; Frlez, E; Garibaldi, F; Gaskell, D; Gilad, S; Gilman, R; Goncharenko, Y; Hafidi, K; Hamilton, D; Higinbotham, DW; Hinton, W; Horn, T; Hu, B; Huang, J; Huber, GM; Jensen, E; Keppel, C; Khandaker, M; King, P; Kirillov, D; Kohl, M; Kravtsov, V; Kumbartzki, G; Li, Y; Mamyan, V; Margaziotis, DJ; Marsh, A; Matulenko, Y; Maxwell, J; Mbianda, G; Meekins, D; Melnik, Y; Miller, J; Mkrtchyan, A; Mkrtchyan, H; Moffit, B; Moreno, O; Mulholland, J; Narayan, A; Nedev, S; Nuruzzaman; Piasetzky, E; Pierce, W; Piskunov, NM; Prok, Y; Ransome, RD; Razin, DS; Reimer, P; Reinhold, J | Abstract: Background: Interest in the behavior of nucleon electromagnetic form factors at large momentum transfers has steadily increased since the discovery, using polarization observables, of the rapid decrease of the ratio GEp/GMp of the proton's electric and magnetic form factors for momentum transfers Q21 GeV2, in strong disagreement with previous extractions of this ratio using the traditional Rosenbluth separation technique. Purpose: The GEp-III and GEp-2γ experiments were carried out in Jefferson Laboratory's (JLab's) Hall C from 2007 to 2008, to extend the knowledge of GEp/GMp to the highest practically achievable Q2 given the maximum beam energy of 6 GeV and to search for effects beyond the Born approximation in polarization transfer observables of elastic ∫ - p scattering. This article provides an expanded description of the common experimental apparatus and data analysis procedures, and reports the results of a final reanalysis of the data from both experiments, including the previously unpublished results of the full-acceptance dataset of the GEp-2γ experiment. Methods: Polarization transfer observables in elastic ∫ - p→∫ - scattering were measured at central Q2 values of 2.5, 5.2, 6.8, and 8.54 GeV2. At Q2=2.5GeV2, data were obtained for central values of the virtual photon polarization parameter ϵ of 0.149, 0.632, and 0.783. The Hall C High Momentum Spectrometer detected and measured the polarization of protons recoiling elastically from collisions of JLab's polarized electron beam with a liquid hydrogen target. A large-acceptance electromagnetic calorimeter detected the elastically scattered electrons in coincidence to suppress inelastic backgrounds. Results: The final GEp-III data are largely unchanged relative to the originally published results. The statistical uncertainties of the final GEp-2γ data are significantly reduced at ϵ=0.632 and 0.783 relative to the original publication. Conclusions: The final GEp-III results show that the decrease with Q2 of GEp/GMp continues to Q2=8.5GeV2, but at a slowing rate relative to the approximately linear decrease observed in earlier Hall A measurements. At Q2=8.5GeV2, GEp/GMp remains positive but is consistent with zero. At Q2=2.5GeV2, GEp/GMp derived from the polarization component ratio R-Pt/P shows no statistically significant ϵ dependence, as expected in the Born approximation. On the other hand, the ratio P""/P""Born of the longitudinal polarization transfer component to its Born value shows an enhancement of roughly 1.7% at ϵ=0.783 relative to ϵ=0.149, with ≈2.2σ significance based on the total uncertainty, implying a similar effect in the transverse component Pt that cancels in the ratio R.

A tagged deep inelastic scattering (TDIS) experiment is planned for Hall A of Jefferson Lab, which will probe the mesonic content of the nucleon directly. Low momentum recoiling (and spectator) protons will be measured in coincidence with electrons scattered in a deep inelastic regime from hydrogen (and deuterium) targets, covering kinematics of 8 < W2 < 18 GeV2, 1 < Q2 < 3 (GeV/c)2 and 0.05 < x < 0.2. The tagging technique will help identify scattering from partons in the meson cloud and provide access to the pion structure function via the Sullivan process. The experiment will yield the first TDIS results in the valence regime, for both proton and neutron targets. We present here an overview of the experiment.

© 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab. A cryogenic apparatus is described that enables a new experiment, nEDM@SNS, with a major improvement in sensitivity compared to the existing limit in the search for a neutron Electric Dipole Moment (EDM). This apparatus uses superfluid 4He to produce a high density of Ultra-Cold Neutrons (UCN) which are contained in a suitably coated pair of measurement cells. The experiment, to be operated at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, uses polarized 3He from an Atomic Beam Source injected into the superfluid 4He and transported to the measurement cells where it serves as a co-magnetometer. The superfluid 4He is also used as an insulating medium allowing significantly higher electric fields, compared to previous experiments, to be maintained across the measurement cells. These features provide an ultimate statistical uncertainty for the EDM of 2-3× 10-28 e-cm, with anticipated systematic uncertainties below this level.

Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment experimental sensitivity, both in terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement the scheme of Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. The unique properties of combining polarized ultracold neutrons, polarized $^3$He, and superfluid $^4$He will be exploited to provide a sensitivity to $\sim 10^{-28}\,e{\rm \,\cdot\, cm}$. Our cryogenic apparatus will deploy two small ($3\,{\rm L}$) measurement cells with a high density of ultracold neutrons produced and spin analyzed in situ. The electric field strength, precession time, magnetic shielding, and detected UCN number will all be enhanced compared to previous room temperature Ramsey measurements. Our $^3$He co-magnetometer offers unique control of systematic effects, in particular the Bloch-Siegert induced false EDM. Furthermore, there will be two distinct measurement modes: free precession and dressed spin. This will provide an important self-check of our results. Following five years of "critical component demonstration," our collaboration transitioned to a "large scale integration" phase in 2018. An overview of our measurement techniques, experimental design, and brief updates are described in these proceedings., Submitted to proceedings of PPNS 2018 - International Workshop on Particle physics at Neutron Sources (https://www.webofconferences.org/epj-web-of-conferences-forthcoming-conferences/1148-ppns-2018)

A recent theoretical model predicts that the modification of quark distributions in the nuclear medium (EMC effect) depends on the flavor of the quarks. We investigate W -boson production in proton–nucleus collision as a possible tool to test this theoretical prediction. Several experimental observables in W production sensitive to the flavor-dependent EMC effect are identified. Calculations for these experimental observables at the RHIC and LHC energies are presented using the recent flavor-dependent EMC model.

In May 2012, the $Q^{p}_{\rm Weak}$ collaboration completed a two year measurement program to determine the weak charge of the proton ${Q^{p}_W} = ( 1 - 4\sin^2{\theta_{W}})$ at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF). The experiment was designed to produce a 4.0 % measurement of the weak charge, via a 2.5 % measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in the number of elastically scattered 1.165 GeV electrons from protons, at forward angles. At the proposed precision, the experiment would produce a 0.3 % measurement of the weak mixing angle at a momentum transfer of Q 2 = 0.026 GeV2, making it the most precise stand alone measurement of the weak mixing angle at low momentum transfer. In combination with other parity measurements, $Q^{p}_{\rm Weak}$ will also provide a high precision determination of the weak charges of the up and down quarks. At the proposed precision, a significant deviation from the Standard Model prediction could be a signal of new physics at mass scales up to ≃ 6 TeV, whereas agreement would place new and significant constraints on possible Standard Model extensions at mass scales up to ≃ 2 TeV. This paper provides an overview of the physics and the experiment, as well as a brief look at some preliminary diagnostic and analysis data.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to study fundamental characteristics of electrides. Electronic structure calculations were performed with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA+U (U- on-site" electron-electron repulsion). Fundamental properties of Y2C were investigated in the first project. The nature of strongly localized anionic electrons in Y2C was demonstrated using the distribution of charge density. Magnetic properties were analyzed with magnetization density and magnetic anisotropy energies. The magnetic anisotropy of Y2C originates from anionic electrons at interlayer spaces. The predicted work functions are in good agreement with reported experimental data. We also investigated the enhancement of magnetic properties by varying the degree of localization of anionic electrons. The exchange splitting of interstitial electrons is more prominent than that of d-orbitals of Y and exchange splitting increases with decreasing c-axis parameter. In the second study, fundamental properties of Gd2C are discussed. The GGA+U method was applied for 4f states of Gd and predicted the best U value. Our model predicted Gd2C has a layered-hexagonal structure. Local density of states (LDOS) and projected density of states (PDOS) were analyzed for understanding of anionic electrons and atoms on magnetic and electronic properties. The Curie temperatures of Gd and Gd2C were calculated and noticed that interactions in Gd2C are influential to increase the Curie temperature. The chemical formula can be written as [Gd2C]1.9.1.9e- from charge analysis. Additionally, fundamental properties of two ionized states, Q=+1 and Q=+2 were studied. Results indicate anionic electrons at interlayer spaces will initiate the ejecting of electrons. Density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) with DFT under the harmonic approximations was applied to study the structural stabilities, phase transitions and variation of thermodynamic quantities at finite te

We report on a measurement of the constancy and anisotropy of the speed of light relative to the electrons in photon-electron scattering. We used the Compton scattering asymmetry measured by the new Compton polarimeter in Hall~C at Jefferson Lab to test for deviations from unity of the vacuum refractive index ($n$). For photon energies in the range of 9 - 46 MeV, we obtain a new limit of $1-n < 1.4 \times 10^{-8}$. In addition, the absence of sidereal variation over the six month period of the measurement constrains any anisotropies in the speed of light. These constitute the first study of Lorentz invariance using Compton asymmetry. Within the minimal standard model extension framework, our result yield limits on the photon and electron coefficients $\tilde{\kappa}_{0^+}^{YZ}, c_{TX}, \tilde{\kappa}_{0^+}^{ZX}$, and $c_{TY}$. Although, these limits are several orders of magnitude larger than the current best limits, they demonstrate the feasibility of using Compton asymmetry for tests of Lorentz invariance. Future parity violating electron scattering experiments at Jefferson Lab will use higher energy electrons enabling better constraints., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures

The Q-weak experiment at Jefferson Laboratory measured the parity violating asymmetry (A P V ) in elastic electron-proton scattering at small momentum transfer squared (Q 2=0.025 (G e V/c)2), with the aim of extracting the proton’s weak charge ( ${Q^p_W}$ ) to an accuracy of 5 %. As one of the major uncertainty contribution sources to ${Q^p_W}$ , Q 2 needs to be determined to ∼1 % so as to reach the proposed experimental precision. For this purpose, two sets of high resolution tracking chambers were employed in the experiment, to measure tracks before and after the magnetic spectrometer. Data collected by the tracking system were then reconstructed with dedicated software into individual electron trajectories for experimental kinematics determination. The Q-weak kinematics and the analysis scheme for tracking data are briefly described here. The sources that contribute to the uncertainty of Q 2 are discussed, and the current analysis status is reported.

The Qweak experiment at Jefferson Lab aims to make a 4% measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic scattering at very low Q2 of a longitudinally polarized electron beam off a proton target. One of the dominant experimental systematic uncertainties in Qweak will result from determining the beam polarization. A new Compton polarimeter was installed in the fall of 2010 to provide a non-invasive and continuous monitoring of the electron beam polarization in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. The Compton-scattered electrons are detected in four planes of diamond micro-strip detectors. We have achieved the design goals of

The Bates large acceptance spectrometer toroid (BLAST) experiment was operated at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center from 2003 until 2005. The detector and experimental program were designed to study, in a systematic manner, the spin-dependent electromagnetic interaction in few-nucleon systems. As such the data will provide improved measurements for neutron, proton, and deuteron form factors. The data will also allow details of the reaction mechanism, such as the role of final state interactions, pion production, and resonances to be studied. The experiment used: a longitudinally polarized electron beam stored in the South Hall Storage Ring; a highly polarized, isotopically pure, internal gas target of hydrogen or deuterium provided by an atomic beam source: and a symmetric, general purpose detector based on a toroidal spectrometer with tracking. time-of-flight, Cherenkov, and neutron detectors. Details of the experiment and operation are presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A specialized system of target and detector was developed at Jefferson Lab to provide new access to information about neutron structure from electron–neutron interactions. It allows identification and measurement of spectator protons produced in e - d → e - p s X scattering events. The detector is a radial time-projection chamber optimized for the acceptance of low-momentum protons. Gas gain is provided by three cascaded curved Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs), the first application of GEMs in any configuration other than flat. This article provides details about the development and construction of the detector, its performance, and the analysis of the data from the successful running of its first physics experiment.

A new polarized 3 He target has been developed for nuclear physics experiments utilizing the High Intensity Gamma Source (HI γ S) at the Duke Free Electron Laser Laboratory (DFELL). This target is designed for a broad program of physics employing high intensity polarized photons and a polarized 3 He target as an effective polarized neutron target. We report the performance of this target based on the technique of spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP). Due to the significantly larger photon beam size at the HI γ S facility than that of a typical electron beam at electron accelerator laboratories, the HI γ S 3 He target contains a larger number of 3 He nuclei than any polarized 3 He targets reported previously. A target polarization on the order of 33–46% has been achieved from both a regular 3 He–Rubidium (Rb) target and a hybrid target which contains a mixture of Rb and potassium. The target polarization has been determined within 3 % using both the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) technique and the NMR–AFP (Adiabatic Fast Passage) technique.

We report on the highest precision yet achieved in the measurement of the polarization of a low-energy, O(1 GeV), continuous-wave (CW) electron beam, accomplished using a new polarimeter based on electron-photon scattering, in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. A number of technical innovations were necessary, including a novel method for precise control of the laser polarization in a cavity and a novel diamond microstrip detector that was able to capture most of the spectrum of scattered electrons. The data analysis technique exploited track finding, the high granularity of the detector, and its large acceptance. The polarization of the 180-μA, 1.16-GeV electron beam was measured with a statistical precision of, United States. Dept. of Energy (Contract AC05-06OR23177), National Science Foundation (U.S.), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

We present new experimental results of the ³He spin structure function g₂ in the resonance region at Q² values between 1.2 and 3.0 (GeV/c)². Spin dependent moments of the neutron were then extracted.Our main result, the inelastic contribution to the neutron d₂ matrix element, was found to be small (Q²) = 2.4 (GeV/c)² and in agreement with the Lattice QCD calculation. The Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule for ³He neutron was tested with the measured data and using the Wandzura-Wilczek relation for the low x unmeasured region.

We report the measurement of beam-target double-spin asymmetries ALT in the inclusive production of identified hadrons, e +³He↑ → h + X, using a longitudinally polarized 5.9 GeV electron beam and a transversely polarized ³He target. Hadrons (π±, K± and proton) were detected at 16° with an average momentum h>=2.35 GeV/c and a transverse momentum (pT) coverage from 0.60 to 0.68 GeV/c. Asymmetries from the ³He target were observed to be non-zero for π± production when the target was polarized transversely in the horizontal plane. The π⁺ and π⁻ asymmetries have opposite signs, analogous to the behavior of ALT in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering.

The Jefferson Lab Q weak experiment determined the weak charge of the proton by measuring the parity-violating elastic scattering asymmetry of longitudinally polarized electrons from an unpolarized liquid hydrogen target at small momentum transfer. A custom apparatus was designed for this experiment to meet the technical challenges presented by the smallest and most precise e → p asymmetry ever measured. Technical milestones were achieved at Jefferson Lab in target power, beam current, beam helicity reversal rate, polarimetry, detected rates, and control of helicity-correlated beam properties. The experiment employed 180 μA of 89% longitudinally polarized electrons whose helicity was reversed 960 times per second. The electrons were accelerated to 1.16 GeV and directed to a beamline with extensive instrumentation to measure helicity-correlated beam properties that can induce false asymmetries. Moller and Compton polarimetry were used to measure the electron beam polarization to better than 1%. The electron beam was incident on a 34.4 cm liquid hydrogen target. After passing through a triple collimator system, scattered electrons between 5.8° and 11.6° were bent in the toroidal magnetic field of a resistive copper-coil magnet. The electrons inside this acceptance were focused onto eight fused silica Cherenkov detectors arrayed symmetrically around the beam axis. A total scattered electron rate of about 7 GHz was incident on the detector array. The detectors were read out in integrating mode by custom-built low-noise pre-amplifiers and 18-bit sampling ADC modules. The momentum transfer Q 2 =0.025 GeV 2 was determined using dedicated low-current ( ~ 100 pA ) measurements with a set of drift chambers before (and a set of drift chambers and trigger scintillation counters after) the toroidal magnet.

Traditionally, Atomic Beam Sources are used to produce targets of nuclear polarized hydrogen (H) or deuterium (D) for experiments using storage rings. Laser-Driven Sources (LDSs) offer a factor of 20–30 gain in the target thickness (however, with lower polarization) and may produce a higher overall figure of merit. The LDS is based on the technique of spin-exchange optical pumping where alkali vapor is polarized by absorbing circularly polarized laser photons. The H or D atoms are nuclear-polarized through spin-exchange collisions with the polarized alkali vapor and through subsequent hyperfine interactions during frequent H–H or D–D collisions.

Mapping the transition of the strong interaction from the hadronic degrees of freedom to the partonic degrees of freedom of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), is an important goal in intermediate energy nuclear and particle physics. One of the popular approaches used to study the transition between these two regions involves searching for the onset of various phenomena which are naturally predicted in QCD. One such phenomena is Color Transparency (CT), which refers to the suppression of final (and initial) state interactions of hadrons with the nuclear medium in exclusive processes at high momentum transfers. At Jefferson Lab the search for CT has focused on the (e,e’p) reaction. I will review the status of the experimental search for CT covering these experiments and others spanning over a decade. Some of the future experiments being planned for the 12 GeV upgrade of JLab will also be discussed.

The Q weak experiment, which took data at Jefferson Lab in the period 2010 - 2012, will precisely determine the weak charge of the proton by measuring the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic e-p scattering at 1.1 GeV using a longitudinally polarized electron beam and a liquid hydrogen target at a low momentum transfer of Q 2 = 0.025 (GeV/c)2 . The weak charge of the proton is predicted by the Standard Model and any significant deviation would indicate physics beyond the Standard Model. The technical challenges and experimental apparatus for measuring the weak charge of the proton will be discussed, as well as the method of extracting the weak charge of the proton. The results from a small subset of the data, that has been published, will also be presented. Furthermore an update will be given of the current status of the data analysis.

An experiment to measure single-spin asymmetries of semi-inclusive production of charged pions in deep-inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ target was performed at Jefferson Laboratory in the kinematic region of $0.16lxl0.35$ and $1.4l{Q}^{2}l2.7$ ${\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$. Pretzelosity asymmetries on $^{3}\mathrm{He}$, which are expressed as the convolution of the ${h}_{1T}^{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ transverse-momentum-dependent distribution functions and the Collins fragmentation functions in the leading order, were measured for the first time. Under the effective polarization approximation, we extracted the corresponding neutron asymmetries from the measured $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ asymmetries and cross-section ratios between the proton and $^{3}\mathrm{He}$. Our results show that both ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ on $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and on neutron pretzelosity asymmetries are consistent with zero within experimental uncertainties.

We report the first measurement of the target-normal single-spin asymmetry in deep-inelastic scattering from the inclusive reaction ^3He^↑ (e,e′) X on a polarized ^3He gas target. Assuming time-reversal invariance, this asymmetry is strictly zero in the Born approximation but can be nonzero if two-photon-exchange contributions are included. The experiment, conducted at Jefferson Lab using a 5.89 GeV electron beam, covers a range of 1.7 2 GeV, which is nonzero at the 2.89σ level. Our measured asymmetry agrees both in sign and magnitude with a two-photon-exchange model prediction that uses input from the Sivers transverse momentum distribution obtained from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering.

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., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, INPC2013

The first measurement of the three-body photodisintegration of polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ using a circularly polarized photon beam has been performed at incident energies of 12.8 and 14.7 MeV. This measurement was carried out at the high-intensity $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray source located at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory. A high-pressure $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ target, polarized via spin exchange optical pumping with alkali metals, was used in the experiment. The spin-dependent double- and single-differential cross sections from $\stackrel{P\vec}{{}^{3}\text{He}}(\stackrel{P\vec}{\ensuremath{\gamma}},n)pp$ for laboratory angles varying from ${30}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ to ${165}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ are presented and compared with state-of-the-art three-body calculations. The data reveal the importance of including the Coulomb interaction between protons in the three-body calculations.