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Baltzell, N. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Baltzell, N. A..

At least 19 records

First Measurement of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering on the Neutron with Detection of the Active Neutron

Measuring deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) on the neutron is one of the necessary steps to understand the structure of the nucleon in terms of generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Neutron targets play a complementary role to transversely polarized proton targets in the determination of the GPD E . This poorly known and poorly constrained GPD is essential to obtain the contribution of the quarks’ angular momentum to the spin of the nucleon. DVCS on the neutron was measured for the first time selecting the exclusive final state by detecting the neutron, using the Jefferson Lab longitudinally polarized electron beam, with energies up to 10.6 GeV, and the CLAS12 detector. The extracted beam-spin asymmetries, combined with DVCS observables measured on the proton, allow a clean quark-flavor separation of the imaginary parts of the Compton form factors H and E . Published by the American Physical Society 2024

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Double-pion electroproduction off protons in deuterium: Quasifree cross sections and final-state interactions

Here, the single-differential and fully integrated cross sections for quasi-free $π^+π^-$ electroproduction off protons bound in deuterium have been extracted for the first time. The experimental data were collected at Jefferson Laboratory with the CLAS detector. The measurements were performed in the kinematic region of the invariant mass W from 1.3 GeV to 1.825 GeV and photon virtuality Q 2 from 0.4 GeV2 to 1.0 GeV 2 . Sufficient experimental statistics allow for narrow binning in all kinematic variables, while maintaining a small statistical uncertainty. The extracted cross sections were compared with the corresponding cross sections off free protons, which allowed us to obtain an estimate of the contribution from events in which interactions between the final-state hadrons and the spectator neutron took place.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of the helicity asymmetry $${\mathbb {E}}$$ for the $$\vec {\gamma }\vec {p} \rightarrow p \pi ^0$$ reaction in the resonance region: The CLAS Collaboration

Abstract The double-spin-polarization observable $${\mathbb {E}}$$ E for $$\vec {\gamma }\vec {p}\rightarrow p\pi ^0$$ γ → p → → p π 0 has been measured with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at photon beam energies $$E_\gamma $$ E γ from 0.367 to $$2.173~\textrm{GeV}$$ 2.173 GeV (corresponding to center-of-mass energies from 1.240 to $$2.200~\textrm{GeV}$$ 2.200 GeV ) for pion center-of-mass angles, $$\cos \theta _{\pi ^0}^{c.m.}$$ cos θ π 0 c . m . , between $$-$$ - 0.86 and 0.82. These new CLAS measurements cover a broader energy range and have smaller uncertainties compared to previous CBELSA data and provide an important independent check on systematics. These measurements are compared to predictions as well as new global fits from The George Washington University, Mainz, and Bonn-Gatchina groups. Their inclusion in multipole analyses will allow us to refine our understanding of the single-pion production contribution to the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule and improve the determination of resonance properties, which will be presented in a future publication.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Observation of large missing-momentum ( e , e ' p ) cross-section scaling and the onset of correlated-pair dominance in nuclei

Herein we report the first measurement of $x_B$-scaling in $(e,e'p)$ cross-section ratios off nuclei relative to deuterium at large missing-momentum of $350 \leq p_{miss} \leq 600$ MeV/c. The observed scaling extends over a kinematic range of $0.7 \leq x_B \leq 1.8$, which is significantly wider than $1.4 \leq x_B \leq 1.8$ previously observed for inclusive $(e,e')$ cross-section ratios. The $x_B$-integrated cross-section ratios become constant (i.e., scale) beginning at $p_{miss}\approx k_F$, the nuclear Fermi momentum. Comparing with theoretical calculations we find good agreement with Generalized Contact Formalism calculations for high missing-momentum ($> 375$ MeV/c), suggesting the observed scaling results from interacting with nucleons in short-range correlated (SRC) pairs. For low missing-momenta, mean-field calculations show good agreement with the data for $p_{miss}\le k_F$, and suggest that contributions to the measured cross-section ratios from scattering off single, un-correlated, nucleons are non-negligible up to $p_{miss}\approx 350$ MeV/c. Therefore, SRCs become dominant in nuclei at $p_{miss}\approx 350$ MeV/c, well above the nuclear Fermi Surface of $k_F \approx 250$ MeV/c.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

First Measurement of Λ Electroproduction off Nuclei in the Current and Target Fragmentation Regions

Here, we report results of Λ hyperon production in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering off deuterium, carbon, iron, and lead targets obtained with the CLAS detector and the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility 5.014 GeV electron beam. These results represent the first measurements of the Λ multiplicity ratio and transverse momentum broadening as a function of the energy fraction (z) in the current and target fragmentation regions. The multiplicity ratio exhibits a strong suppression at high z and an enhancement at low z. The measured transverse momentum broadening is an order of magnitude greater than that seen for light mesons. This indicates that the propagating entity interacts very strongly with the nuclear medium, which suggests that propagation of diquark configurations in the nuclear medium takes place at least part of the time, even at high z. The trends of these results are qualitatively described by the Giessen Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport model, particularly for the multiplicity ratios. These observations will potentially open a new era of studies of the structure of the nucleon as well as of strange baryons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Alignment of the CLAS12 central hybrid tracker with a Kalman Filter

Several factors can contribute to the difficulty of aligning the sensors of tracking detectors, including a large number of modules, multiple types of detector technologies, and non-linear strip patterns on the sensors. All three of these factors apply to the CLAS12 CVT, which is a hybrid detector consisting of planar silicon sensors with non-parallel strips, and cylindrical micromegas sensors with longitudinal and arc-shaped strips located within a 5 T superconducting solenoid. To align this detector, we used the Kalman Alignment Algorithm, which accounts for correlations between the alignment parameters without requiring the time-consuming inversion of large matrices. This is the first time that this algorithm has been adapted for use with hybrid technologies, non-parallel strips, and curved sensors. We present the results for the first alignment of the CLAS12 CVT using straight tracks from cosmic rays and from a target with the magnetic field turned off. After running this procedure, we achieved alignment at the level of 10 µm, and the widths of the residual spectra were greatly reduced. These results attest to the flexibility of this algorithm and its applicability to future use in the CLAS12 CVT and other hybrid or curved trackers, such as those proposed for the future Electron-Ion Collider.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Observation of Azimuth-Dependent Suppression of Hadron Pairs in Electron Scattering off Nuclei

Here, we present the first measurement of dihadron angular correlations in electron-nucleus scattering. The data were taken with the CLAS detector and a 5.0 GeV electron beam incident on deuterium, carbon, iron, and lead targets. Relative to deuterium, the nuclear yields of charged-pion pairs show a strong suppression for azimuthally opposite pairs, no suppression for azimuthally nearby pairs, and an enhancement of pairs with large invariant mass. These effects grow with increased nuclear size. The data are qualitatively described by the GIBUU model, which suggests that hadrons form near the nuclear surface and undergo multiple scattering in nuclei. These results show that angular correlation studies can open a new way to elucidate how hadrons form and interact inside nuclei.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Beam-recoil transferred polarization in $K^+Y$ electroproduction in the nucleon resonance region with CLAS12

We report beam-recoil transferred polarizations for the exclusive electroproduction of K + Λ and K + Σ 0 final states from an unpolarized proton target have been measured using the CLAS12 spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The measurements at beam energies of 6.535 and 7.546 GeV span the range of four-momentum transfer Q 2 from 0.3 to 4.5 GeV 2 and invariant energy W from 1.6 to 2.4 GeV, while covering the full center-of-mass angular range of the K + . These new data extend the existing hyperon polarization data from CLAS in a similar kinematic range but from a significantly larger dataset. They represent an important addition to the world data, allowing for better exploration of the reaction mechanism in strangeness production processes, for further understanding of the spectrum and structure of excited nucleon states, and for improved insight into the strong interaction in the regime of nonperturbative dynamics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Polarized Structure Function {sigma}LT from {pi}0 p Electroproduction Data in the Resonance Region at 0.4 GeV2 < Q2 < 1.0 GeV2

The first results on the sigma(LT') structure function in exclusive pi(0)p electroproduction at invariant masses of the final state of 1.5 GeV < W < 1.8 GeV and in the range of photon virtualities 0.4 GeV2 < Q(2) < 1.0 GeV2 were obtained from data on beam spin asymmetries and differential cross sections measured with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. The Legendre moments determined from the sigma(LT') structure function have demonstrated sensitivity to the contributions from the nucleon resonances in the second and third resonance regions. These new data on the beam spin asymmetries in pi(0)p electroproduction extend the opportunities for the extraction of the nucleon resonance electro-excitation amplitudes in the mass range above 1.6 GeV.

Isupov, E. L.↗

Measurement of Charged-Pion Production in Deep-Inelastic Scattering off Nuclei with the CLAS Detector

Background: Energetic quarks in nuclear deep-inelastic scattering propagate through the nuclear medium. Processes that are believed to occur inside nuclei include quark energy loss through medium-stimulated gluon bremsstrahlung and intranuclear interactions of forming hadrons. More data are required to gain a more complete understanding of these effects. Purpose: To test the theoretical models of parton transport and hadron formation, we compared their predictions for the nuclear and kinematic dependence of pion production in nuclei. Methods: We have measured charged-pion production in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering off D, C, Fe, and Pb using the CLAS detector and the CEBAF 5.014-GeV electron beam. We report results on the nuclear-to-deuterium multiplicity ratio for π + and π - as a function of energy transfer, four-momentum transfer, and pion energy fraction or transverse momentum—the first three-dimensional study of its kind. Results: The π + multiplicity ratio is found to depend strongly on the pion fractional energy z and reaches minimum values of 0.67 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.02, and 0.27 ± 0.01 for the C, Fe, and Pb targets, respectively. The z dependencies of the multiplicity ratios for π + and π - are equal within uncertainties for C and Fe targets but show differences at the level of 10% for the Pb-target data. The results are qualitatively described by the GIBUU transport model, as well as with a model based on hadron absorption, but are in tension with calculations based on nuclear fragmentation functions. Conclusions: These precise results will strongly constrain the kinematic and flavor dependence of nuclear effects in hadron production, probing an unexplored kinematic region. They will help to reveal how the nucleus reacts to a fast quark, thereby shedding light on its color structure and transport properties and on the mechanisms of the hadronization process.

Moran, S.↗

Measurement of deeply virtual Compton scattering off 4 He with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer at Jefferson Lab

We report on the measurement of the beam spin asymmetry in the deeply virtual Compton scattering off $^4$He using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab using a 6 GeV longitudinally polarized electron beam incident on a pressurized $^4$He gaseous target. We detail the method used to ensure the exclusivity of the measured reactions, in particular the upgrade of CLAS with a radial time projection chamber to detect the low-energy recoiling $^4$He nuclei and an inner calorimeter to extend the photon detection acceptance at forward angles. Our results confirm the theoretically predicted enhancement of the coherent ($e^4$He$~\to~e'$$^4$He$'\gamma'$) beam spin asymmetries compared to those observed on the free proton, while the incoherent ($e^4$He$~\to~e'$p$'\gamma'$X$'$) asymmetries exhibit a 30$\%$ suppression. From the coherent data, we were able to extract, in a model-independent way, the real and imaginary parts of the only $^4$He Compton form factor, $\cal H_A$, leading the way toward 3D imaging of the partonic structure of nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗