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Toward the nucleon spin structure of {sup 3}He

Journal Article · · Bulletin of the American Physical Society
OSTI ID:387166

The use of polarized {sup 3}He as a polarized neutron target in measurements of the spin structure function and electromagnetic form factors of the neutron has added new interest to studies of the structure of this nucleus. The A=3 system is also of fundamental interest in nuclear physics because the Faddeev equations allow essentially exact solutions for a given input nucleon-nucleon interaction. Theoretical calculations based on this formalism can make detailed predictions about the wave function of {sup 3}He. In particular, they can describe how the {sup 3}He spin is carried by the nucleons as a function of their Fermi momentum, knowledge of which is important to the use of polarized {sup 3}He as a polarized neutron target. If one considers the {sup 3}He(p,2N) reaction in the plain wave impulse approximation (PWIA), spin correlation measurements and the analyzing power measured by reversing the target spin are directly related to the corresponding free scattering spin observables and the polarization of the struck nucleon and, hence, should provide a sensitive test of the calculations. Measurements of {sup 3}He(p,2N) spin observables at 220 MeV{sup -1} and 290 MeV{sup 2} from TRIUMF have been very surprising, showing large disagreements with PWIA calculations and casting doubt on this approximation at the angles and energies tested. We have recently completed a measurement of this same reaction in the IUCF Cooler ring using an internal polarized {sup 3}He target. A demonstration of this new technique has been published. Proton beam energies of 200 MeV, 300 MeV and 415 MeV were run using large acceptance detectors to more fully search for kinematic regimes where the PWIA is useful. A description of the experiment and current results will be presented.

OSTI ID:
387166
Report Number(s):
CONF-931044--
Journal Information:
Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 38; ISSN 0003-0503; ISSN BAPSA6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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