Abstract
Precision measurements of the relative analyzing powers of five electron beam polarimeters, based on Compton, M\o{}ller, and Mott scattering, have been performed using the CEBAF accelerator at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Laboratory). A Wien filter in the 100 keV beam line of the injector was used to vary the electron spin orientation exiting the injector. High statistical precision measurements of the scattering asymmetry as a function of the spin orientation were made with each polarimeter. Since each polarimeter receives beam with the same magnitude of polarization, these asymmetry measurements permit a high statistical precision comparison of the relative analyzing powers of the five polarimeters. This is the first time a precise comparison of the analyzing powers of Compton, M\o{}ller, and Mott scattering polarimeters has been made. Statistically significant disagreements among the values of the beam polarization calculated from the asymmetry measurements made with each polarimeter reveal either errors in the values of the analyzing power or failure to correctly include all systematic effects. The measurements reported here represent a first step toward understanding the systematic effects of these electron polarimeters. Such studies are necessary to realize high absolute accuracy (ca. 1%) electron polarization measurements, as required for some parity violation measurements planned at Jefferson Laboratory. Finally, a comparison of the value of the spin orientation exiting the injector that provides maximum longitudinal polarization in each experimental hall leads to an independent and very precise (better than ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{4}}$) absolute measurement of the final electron beam energy.
Highlights
The use of beams of polarized electrons in nuclear and high energy physics experiments provides an important degree of freedom for understanding fundamental interactions
The uncertainty in the knowledge of the electron beam polarization is a significant contribution to the overall error bar in these measurements
For some planned parity violation measurements, absolute knowledge of the electron beam polarization at the 1% level is desired. This is beyond the present state of the art in electron polarimetry
Summary
The use of beams of polarized electrons in nuclear and high energy physics experiments provides an important degree of freedom for understanding fundamental interactions. For all the polarimeters used in the measurements reported here, and in almost all cases, the effective analyzing power of a polarimeter is determined by computer simulation These simulations include the physics asymmetry of the underlying scattering process, and the details of the real detector, systematic effects to the extent they are identified, multiple scattering, and background effects. The experimental plans to compare the effective analyzing powers of Compton, Møller, and Mott polarimeters, using the CEBAF accelerator, are discussed in the remainder of this section. Since the total precession from the injector to each experimental hall is different, the measurable components of the beam polarization are generally not equal at the various polarimeters.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
