Measurements of the Polarization in Proton-Proton Elastic Scattering from 2.50 to 5.15GeVc

Abstract

In an experiment at the Argonne Zero-Gradient Synchrotron we have measured values of the polarization parameter $P(t)$ in the elastic scattering of negative pions, positive pions, positive kaons, and protons on protons at several incident laboratory momenta from 2.50 to 5.15 $\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$, and for values of the momentum transfer variable $\ensuremath{-}t$ from 0.2 to 2.0 ${(\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c})}^{2}$. The final results from $p\ensuremath{-}p$ elastic scattering presented here extend our knowledge of the polarization to much larger values of $\ensuremath{-}t$ than the results of previous measurements. Outstanding features revealed by these polarization data include (1) the development of a dip at about $\ensuremath{-}t=0.7 {(\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c})}^{2}$, with (2) a substantial secondary peak at larger values of $\ensuremath{-}t$ and (3) the gradual diminution of the maximum polarization with increasing energy. It is possible to fit the $t$ dependence of the experimental results with a simple model. The energy dependence of the polarized cross sections is also discussed.