PAX Collaboration Research Articles

Spin observables in proton-deuteron scattering and T-invariance test

The total cross section for the interaction of transversely polarized protons ppy and deuterons that have a tensor polarization Pxz provides a null-test signal of T-invariance violation under the condition of P invariance. The relevant experiment is planned by the PAX Collaboration at the COSY accelerator with protons accelerated to the energy of 135 MeV. A modified Glauber theory is used here to calculate the differential spin observables Ay, Cy,y, Cxz,y, Cz,x, and Cx,z and the differential and total cross sections for proton-deuteron scattering in the case of T-even P-even proton-nucleon interactions. This makes it possible to estimate background conditions of the planned experiment.

Polarization of a stored beam by spin filtering

In 2011 the PAX Collaboration has performed a successful spin-filtering test using protons at T p = 49.3 MeV at the COSY ring, which confirms that spin filtering is a viable method to polarize a stored beam and that the present interpretation of the mechanism in terms of the proton-proton interaction is correct. The equipment and the procedures to produce stored polarized beams was successfully commissioned and are established. The outcome of the experiment is of utmost importance in view of the possible application of the method to polarize a beam of stored antiprotons.

Polarization of stored beam by spin-filtering at COSY

In the challenging aim to achieve polarized antiproton, the PAX collaboration performed dedicated measurements of the spin-dependent polarizing cross section for p-p scattering at COSY. The result, under a very nice control of the process, agrees with the theoretical previsions, and confirms the pursuability of the spin-filtering for polarizing antiprotons.

Polarization of a stored beam by spin-filtering

The PAX Collaboration has successfully performed a spin-filtering experiment with protons at the COSY-ring. The measurement allowed the determination of the spin-dependent polarizing cross section, that compares well with the theoretical prediction from the nucleon–nucleon potential. The test confirms that spin-filtering can be adopted as a method to polarize a stored beam and that the present interpretation of the mechanism in terms of the proton–proton interaction is correct. The outcome of the experiment is of utmost importance in view of the possible application of the method to polarize a beam of stored antiprotons.

An alternative for polarized antiproton beams

Presently the most popular way to prepare high quality polarized antiproton beams is the so called spin filter method. The feasibility of the method has been proven for a proton beam and measurements of the spin dependent interaction of antiprotons have been proposed by the PAX collaboration. Another well known source for polarized antiprotons is the \(\bar{\Lambda}\) decay which was used at FERMILAB in the only experiment performed so far with polarized antiprotons. An alternative approach for polarized antiproton beams may be the production process itself. If the produced antiprotons show polarization it would be rather simple to handle a polarized antiproton beam in the existing antiproton collector and cooler at CERN just like in the unpolarized case.

Perspectives for polarized antiprotons

Polarized antiprotons would open a new window in hadron physics providing access to a wealth of single and double spin observables in proton-antiproton interactions. The PAX Collaboration aims to perform the first ever measurement of the spin-dependence of the proton-antiproton cross section at the AD ring at CERN. The spin-dependence of the cross section could in principle be exploited by the spin-filtering technique for the production of a polarized antiproton beam. As a preparatory phase to the experimentation at AD, the PAX Collaboration has initiated a series of dedicated studies with protons at the COSY-ring in Juelich (Germany), aimed at the commissioning of the experimental apparatus and confirmation of the predictions for spin-filtering with protons.

Ways to make polarized antiproton beams

For producing polarized antiproton beams the so called spin filter method is normally discussed. The method has been proven by the FILTEX collaboration with a proton beam and detailed studies are presently performed by the PAX collaboration at COSY. A well known source for polarized antiprotons is the antilambda decay. It was used in the only experiment with polarized antiprotons so far at FERMILAB.Furthermore the antiproton production process itself, if showing polarization, would be by far the simplest and best way to get polarized beams because one could use the existing antiproton facility. Up to now production has never been investigated in detail.

Spin dependence of the antinucleon-nucleon interaction

The status of our present knowledge on the antinucleon-nucleon interaction at low and medium energies is discussed. Special emphasis is put on aspects related to its spin dependence which are relevant for experiments planned by the PAX collaboration. Predictions for the spin-dependent p̄p cross sections σ1 and σ2 are presented, utilizing N̄N potential models developed by the Jülich group, and compared to results based on the amplitudes of the Nijmegen partial-wave analysis.

Status and future plans of polarized beams at COSY

In this paper we report on the present status and future plans of polarized beams in the COSY synchrotron ring. COSY is a synchrotron ring in the momentum range from 295 to 3700 MeV/c. Polarized deuterons and protons are routinely delivered to experiments over the whole momentum range. No depolarization occurs during the acceleration of deuterons in COSY. For polarized protons many depolarizing resonances are crossed without polarization loss. At imperfection resonances, vertical steerer magnets are used to increase the resonance strength, leading to a complete polarization reversal. At intrinsic resonances a fast tune jump quadrupole is used to quickly cross the resonances without loss of polarization. Typical proton polarizations are close to 0.8 below 2.1 GeV/c and about 0.6 for higher momenta. During recent operation an induced depolarizing resonance was used for accurate determination of the relative momentum spread dp/p of the stored beam yielding an accuracy of better than 10−4. For spin filter studies of the PAX collaboration a low beta target section was installed in 2009 and was successfully put into operation early 2010. An upgrade of the EDDA polarimeter electronics and data acquisition system is underway to ensure continued availability of the polarimeter, which is essential for the polarized proton operation of COSY. In the near future it is planned to install a Siberian snake solenoid of 4.5 Tm to be able to provide in addition to vertically polarized protons, longitudinal polarization as well. This solenoid will allow the preparation of a longitudinally polarized beam up to a kinetic energy of 500 MeV.

WAYS TO MAKE POLARIZED ANTIPROTON BEAMS

For making polarized antiproton beams the so called filter method is normally discussed. It is based on the depletion of one spin component due to the spin dependent interaction if a stored beam passes a polarized target. The method has been proven by the FILTEX collaboration and detailed studies are presently performed by the PAX collaboration. Another source for polarized antiprotons is the antilambda decay as it was used in the only experiment with polarized antiprotons so far at FERMILAB. Furthermore the antiproton production process itself if showing polarisation, would be by far the best way to get polarized [Formula: see text]. It can be assumed to result from a quasi-free proton-nucleon collison. Up to now it has never been investigated in detail. In such a hadronic interaction the antiprotons may have substantial polarisation which would simplify the preparation of a polarized antiproton beam drastically. It is proposed to measure the polarisation of antiprotons produced in a fixed target experiment.

PERSPECTIVES FOR POLARIZED ANTIPROTONS

In the framework of the FAIR project the PAX Collaboration has suggested new experiments using polarized protons and antiprotons. In order to provide polarized antiprotons, the proposed mechanisms for the production of a polarized stored have to be investigated. To this aim a series of experiments have already been started with protons at the COSY ring. Additional experiment have to be foreseen at AD ring with antiprotons to define to working parameters of a dedicated Antiproton Polarizer Ring.

A Superconducting Magnets System for a Low Beta Section at COSY and AD

In the framework of the FAIR project, the PAX collaboration has suggested new experiments using polarized antiprotons. The central physics issue is now to study the polarization build-up by spin filtering of antiprotons via multiple passages through an internal polarized gas target. The goals for spin-filtering experiments with protons at COSY are to test our understanding of the spin-filtering processes and to commission the setup for the AD experiments with antiprotons at the AD (CERN). Spin-filtering experiments with antiprotons at the AD will allow us to determine the total spin-dependent transversal and longitudinal cross sections. The low-beta section at COSY is composed of two superconducting quadrupole magnets on each side of the target, while at the AD, we will use three quadrupoles on each side. Technical problems and details of the superconducting quadrupoles with their respective cryogenics will be discussed. A flexible cryogenic system fitting at COSY and AD ring characterized by a low liquid helium consumption will be discussed. The status of the quadrupoles will be reported as well.