The deuteron spin-dependent structure function g1D( x, Q2) and the effect of relativistic Fermi motion

Abstract

The deep-inelastic scattering of polarized muons off vector polarized deuterons in the covariant approach in the light-cone variables is considered. In the relativistic impulse approximation on the basis of the relativistic deuteron wave function with one nucleon on mass shell, the spin-dependent structure function (SF) g 1 D( x, Q 2) is calculated. The results are compared with SMC experimental data. It is shown that the effect of the relativistic Fermi motion described by the ratio R g D/N= g 1 D/ g 1 N of the SF attains ∼ 9% in the range x = 10 −3−0.7 and Q 2=1 − 80 (GeV/ c) 2. The dependence of the Bjorken integral S Bj( x, Q 2) on x and Q 2 is considered. The correction for S Bj( x, Q 2) due to the nuclear effect is estimated to be ∼ (11–16)% and should be taken into account in order to verify the Bjorken sum rule.