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Hicks, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Hicks, K..

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Semi-inclusive π 0 target and beam-target asymmetries from 6 GeV electron scattering with CLAS

Here, we present precision measurements of the target and beam-target spin asymmetries from neutral pion electroproduction in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab. We scattered 6-GeV, longitudinally polarized electrons off longitudinally polarized protons in a cryogenic 14 NH 3 target, and extracted double and single target spin asymmetries for ep → e'π 0 X in multidimensional bins in fourmomentum transfer (1.0 < Q 2 < 3.2 GeV 2 ), Bjorken-x (0.12 < x < 0.48), hadron energy fraction (0.4 < z < 0.7), transverse pion momentum (0 < P T < 1.0 GeV), and azimuthal angle Φh between the lepton scattering and hadron production planes. We extracted asymmetries as a function of both x and P T , which provide access to transverse-momentum distributions of longitudinally polarized quarks. The double spin asymmetries depend weakly on P T . The sin 2Φ h moments are zero within uncertainties, which is consistent with the expected suppression of the Collins fragmentation function. The observed sin Φ h moments suggest that quark gluon correlations are significant at large x.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

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

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

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Masses and β-Decay Spectroscopy of Neutron-Rich Odd-Odd 160,162 Eu Nuclei: Evidence for a Subshell Gap with Large Deformation at N = 98

The structure of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in the rare-earth region is of significant interest for both the astrophysics and nuclear structure fields. At present, a complete explanation for the observed peak in the elemental abundances at A ~ 160 eludes astrophysicists, and models depend on accurate quantities, such as masses, lifetimes, and branching ratios of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in this region. Unusual nuclear structure effects are also observed, such as the unexpectedly low energies of the first 2 + levels in some even-even nuclei at N = 98. In order to address these issues, mass and β-decay spectroscopy measurements of the 160 Eu 97 and 162 Eu 99 nuclei were performed at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade radioactive beam facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Here, evidence for a gap in the single-particle neutron energies at N = 98 and for large deformation (β 2 ~ 0.3) is discussed in relation to the unusual phenomena observed at this neutron number.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Double K S 0 photoproduction off the proton at CLAS

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

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Measurement of the Q 2 Dependence of the Deuteron Spin Structure Function g 1 and its Moments at Low Q 2 with CLAS

We measured the $g_{1}$ spin structure function of the deuteron at low $Q^{2}$, where QCD can be approximated with chiral perturbation theory ($\chi PT$). The data cover the resonance region, up to an invariant mass of $W\approx1.9$ GeV. The generalized GDH sum, the moment $\Gamma_{1}^{d}$ and the spin polarizability $\gamma_{0}^{d}$ are precisely determined down to a minimum $Q^2$ of 0.02 GeV$^2$ for the first time, about 2.5 times lower than that of previous data. We compare them to several $\chi PT$ calculations and models. In conclusion, these results are the first in a program of benchmark measurements of polarization observables in the $\chi PT$ domain.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurement of the helicity asymmetry E in ω → π + π - π 0 photoproduction

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

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Determination of the proton spin structure functions for 0.05 < Q 2 < 5 GeV 2 using CLAS

In this work, we present the results of our final analysis of the full data set of g$p\atop{1}$ (Q 2 ), the spin structure function of the proton, collected using CLAS at Jefferson Laboratory in 2000–2001. Polarized electrons with energies of 1.6, 2.5, 4.2, and 5.7 GeV were scattered from proton targets ( 15 NH 3 dynamically polarized along the beam direction) and detected with CLAS. From the measured double spin asymmetries, we extracted virtual photon asymmetries A$p\atop{1}$ and A$p\atop{2}$ and spin structure functions g$p\atop{1}$ and g$p\atop{2}$ over a wide kinematic range (0.05 GeV 2 < Q 2 < 5 GeV 2 and 1.08 GeV < W < 3 GeV) and calculated moments of g$p\atop{1}$. We compare our final results with various theoretical models and expectations, as well as with parametrizations of the world data. Lastly, our data, with their precision and dense kinematic coverage, are able to constrain fits of polarized parton distributions, test pQCD predictions for quark polarizations at large x, offer a better understanding of quark-hadron duality, and provide more precise values of higher twist matrix elements in the framework of the operator product expansion.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurement of the differential and total cross sections of the γ d → K 0 Λ ( p ) reaction within the resonance region

Here, we report the first measurement of differential and total cross sections for the ${\gamma}d \to K^0{\Lambda}(p)$ reaction, using data from the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Data collected during two separate experimental runs were studied with photon-energy coverage 0.8 - 3.6 GeV and 0.5 - 2.6 GeV, respectively. The two measurements are consistent giving confidence in the method and determination of systematic uncertainties. The cross sections are compared with predictions from the KAON-MAID theoretical model (without kaon exchange), which deviate from the data at higher W and at forward kaon angles. These data, along with previously published cross sections for $K^+ {\Lambda}$ photoproduction, provide essential constraints on the nucleon resonance spectrum. A first partial wave analysis has been performed that describes the data without the introduction of new resonances.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

First Exclusive Measurement of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering off He 4 : Toward the 3D Tomography of Nuclei

Here, we report on the first measurement of the beam-spin asymmetry in the exclusive process of coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering off a nucleus. The experiment used the 6 GeV electron beam from the CEBAF accelerator at Jefferson Lab incident on a pressurized $^4$He gaseous target placed in front of the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). The scattered electron was detected by CLAS and the photon by a dedicated electromagnetic calorimeter at forward angles. To ensure the exclusivity of the process, a specially designed radial time projection chamber was used to detect the recoiling $^4$He nuclei. We measured beam-spin asymmetries larger than those observed on the free proton in the same kinematic domain. From these, we were able to extract, in a model-independent way, the real and imaginary parts of the only $^4$He Compton form factor, $\cal H_A$. This first measurement of coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering on the $^4$He nucleus, with a fully exclusive final state via nuclear recoil tagging, leads the way toward 3D imaging of the partonic structure of nuclei.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Differential cross section measurements for γ n → π - p above the first nucleon resonance region

The quasifree gamma d -> pi(-)p(p) differential cross section has been measured with CLAS at photon beam energies E-gamma from 0.445 to 2.510 GeV (corresponding to W from 1.311 to 2.366 GeV) for pion center-of-mass angles cos theta(c.m.)(pi) from -0.72 to 0.92. A correction for final state interactions has been applied to these data to extract the gamma n -> pi(-)p differential cross sections. These cross sections are quoted in 8428 (E-gamma, cos theta(c.m)(pi)) bins, a factor of nearly 3 increase in the world statistics for this channel in this kinematic range. These new data help to constrain coupled-channel analysis fits used to disentangle the spectrum of N* resonances and extract their properties. Selected photon decay amplitudes N* -> gamma n at the resonance poles are determined for the first time and are reported here.

CLAS Collaboration↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurements of e p → e ' π + π – p ' cross sections with CLAS at 1.40 GeV < W < 2.0 GeV and 2.0 GeV 2 < Q 2 < 5.0 GeV 2

This study reports new exclusive cross sections for ep→e'π + π – p' using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Laboratory. These results are presented for the first time at photon virtualities 2.0 GeV 2 < Q 2 < 5.0 GeV 2 in the center-of-mass energy range 1.4 GeV < W < 2.0 GeV, which covers a large part of the nucleon resonance region. Using a model developed for the phenomenological analysis of electroproduction data, we see strong indications that the relative contributions from the resonant cross sections at W < 1.74 GeV increase with Q 2 . These data considerably extend the kinematic reach of previous measurements. Exclusive ep→e'π + π – p' cross section measurements are of particular importance for the extraction of resonance electrocouplings in the mass range above 1.6 GeV.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Beam-target helicity asymmetry for γ → n → → π - p in the N * resonance region

In this paper, we report the first beam-target double-polarization asymmetries in the $\gamma + n(p) \rightarrow \pi^- + p(p)$ reaction spanning the nucleon resonance region from invariant mass $W$= $1500$ to $2300$ MeV. Circularly polarized photons and longitudinally polarized deuterons in $HD$ have been used with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. The exclusive final state has been extracted using three very different analysis techniques that show excellent agreement, and these have been used to deduce the $E$ polarization observable for an effective neutron target. These results have been incorporated into new partial wave analyses, and have led to revised values for several $\gamma nN^*$ resonance photo-couplings.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurement of two-photon exchange effect by comparing elastic e ± p cross sections

Here, the electromagnetic form factors of the proton measured by unpolarized and polarized electron scattering experiments show a significant disagreement that grows with the squared four momentum transfer ($Q^{2}$). Calculations have shown that the two measurements can be largely reconciled by accounting for the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE). TPE effects are not typically included in the standard set of radiative corrections since theoretical calculations of the TPE effects are highly model dependent, and, until recently, no direct evidence of significant TPE effects has been observed. We measured the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic-scattering cross sections in order to determine the TPE contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering and thereby resolve the proton electric form factor discrepancy. We produced a mixed simultaneous electron-positron beam in Jefferson Lab's Hall B by passing the 5.6 GeV primary electron beam through a radiator to produce a bremsstrahlung photon beam and then passing the photon beam through a convertor to produce electron/positron pairs. The mixed electron-positron (lepton) beam with useful energies from approximately 0.85 to 3.5 GeV then struck a 30-cm long liquid hydrogen (LH$_2$) target located within the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). By detecting both the scattered leptons and the recoiling protons we identified and reconstructed elastic scattering events and determined the incident lepton energy. A detailed description of the experiment is presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗