The Q{sup 2}-Dependence of the Neutron Spin Structure Function g{sub 2}{sup n} at Low Q{sup 2}
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: We present the first measurement of the Q{sup 2}-dependence of the neutron spin structure function g{sub 2}{sup n} at five kinematic points covering 0.57 (GeV/c){sup 2} {le} Q{sup 2} {le} 1.34 (GeV/c){sup 2} at x {approx} 0.2. Though the naive quark-parton model predicts g{sub 2}=0, non-zero values for g{sub 2} occur in more realistic models of the nucleon which include quark-gluon correlations, finite quark masses or orbital angular momentum. The sensitivity of g{sub 2} to physics beyond the simple quark-parton model provides a unique opportunity to examine QCD dynamics in nucleon structure. When scattering occurs from a non-interacting quark, a prediction for g{sub 2}{sup n} can be calculated using next-to-leading order fits to world data for g{sub 1}{sup n}. Our results show a positive deviation from this prediction indicating that contributions such as quark-gluon interactions may be important. Data were also obtained for g{sub 1}{sup n} and are consistent with a next-to-leading order fit to world data evolved to our kinematic range.
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4297617996