Spin polarized solid target as a prospective tool for radioactive ion beam physics

Abstract

Spin polarized probes are used in a wide range of experiments in nuclear physics including the determination of spin structure functions and tests of fundamental symmetries. At low energies, light stable polarized beams have been used for spectroscopic purposes. We propose to extend these types of experiments to nuclei far from stability by using radioactive ion beams (RIBs) and polarized targets. Towards this goal we intend to develop a solid polarized proton and/or deuterium target in the thickness range between 20μm and 100μm based on a scintillating (active) polymeric foil. Such a target would be a useful tool in the determination of excitation functions in resonant reactions, in studies of one-nucleon transfer reactions using RIBs as well as in probing the matter density of atomic nuclei. If scintillating, it could also help remove the background associated with the scattering of the radioactive beam.