Elastic electric and magnetic e-d scattering at low momentum transfer

Abstract

Up to q 2 = 4 fm −2 differential cross sections for elastic electron-deuteron scattering have been measured for a wide range of scattering angles. Using a combination of high pressure gas target and liquid target systems we have obtained high-accuracy data for the ratio e-p to e-d scattering and a small normalization error for backward scattering data. For extreme low momentum transfer the elastic structure deuteron rms radius has been extracted: r d = 1.9660 ± 0.0068 fm. This quantity, which is a characteristic parameter of the nucleon-nucleon potential was compared with the results of different models. The analysis of the isoscalar form factor indicates no significant contribution of a non-resonant three-pion state. The high-accuracy data of the electric neutron form factor could be extended to higher q 2. All nucleon form factors are described with a consistent ansatz. The magnetic scattering data indicate the important role of isobar configuration in nucleon-nucleon interactions.