The study of nucleon structure through electron scattering at Jefferson Lab.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The project is focussed on studying the quark-gluon structure of the nucleon, through electron scattering experiments. It will use the electron beam at the Jefferson Lab accelerator in Virginia, USA, to scatter high energy electrons (11 GeV) from nucleons in a stationary target in the experimental Hall B of the laboratory. The experiment will be carried out as part of the CLAS Collaboration experimental programme, making use of the CLAS12 suite of detectors. At such high beam energies, scattering takes place from the quarks inside the nucleon, producing a range of particles in the final state. These are detected and the data is then analysed using computer programs to identify a reaction channel of interest. In the case of this PhD project, this will be either the production of a high energy photon from within the nucleon, as a result of the scattering (Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering) or the production of a meson in a similar process (Hard Exclusive Meson Production). Measurements of differential cross-sections or asymmetries (from using electron beams or targets of two opposite polarisations) in the reaction yield information about the underlying structure of the nucleon, the distributions of the quarks and gluons within it, which in turn gives the nucleon its global properties, such as its spin and mass. Just how those properties are obtained from the underlying quark-gluon distributions is an area of extreme interest, where much is still unknown.
The PhD project will consist of data-taking at the laboratory, if the travel restrictions allow it (otherwise data will be taken by colleagues on-site), followed by detector calibrations for the experiment, an extended period of data analysis accompanied by simulations of the scattering process, and will culminate in the interpretation of the results and publication.
The PhD project will consist of data-taking at the laboratory, if the travel restrictions allow it (otherwise data will be taken by colleagues on-site), followed by detector calibrations for the experiment, an extended period of data analysis accompanied by simulations of the scattering process, and will culminate in the interpretation of the results and publication.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Daria Sokhan (Primary Supervisor) | |
Kayleigh Gates (Student) |
Publications
Aschenauer E
(2022)
EpIC: novel Monte Carlo generator for exclusive processes
in The European Physical Journal C
Abdul Khalek R
(2022)
Science Requirements and Detector Concepts for the Electron-Ion Collider
in Nuclear Physics A
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ST/S505390/1 | 30/09/2018 | 29/09/2022 | |||
2446658 | Studentship | ST/S505390/1 | 30/09/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Kayleigh Gates |
ST/T506102/1 | 30/09/2019 | 29/09/2023 | |||
2446658 | Studentship | ST/T506102/1 | 30/09/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Kayleigh Gates |
ST/V506692/1 | 30/09/2020 | 29/09/2024 | |||
2446658 | Studentship | ST/V506692/1 | 30/09/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Kayleigh Gates |
Description | Furthering understanding of the internal structure of the proton via analysis of data taken on a polarised target and extraction of polarization specific observables |
Exploitation Route | Further research can be undertaken using different target types, after this award, there will have been studies on a free proton (completed by a different researcher prior to me starting my award), and a polarised proton (my work), but studies can still be undertaken on a bound proton or perhaps a neutron target to further understanding. My work will aid in furthering understanding of the distributions that map out the internal structure of a proton within a polarised target environment. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education |
Description | I have taken part in outreach projects to schools un the UK and described my research to them in the context of scattering experiments and how we ascertain information about nucleon structure. I have taken part in narrative videos that have been part of a Nuclear Masterclass with York Universities Binding Blocks initiative (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfB-eU9HUjg&t=14s), and I am currently (alongside a team at the University of Glasgow) in the process of releasing a 3D printed version of a 'build your own' scatterer which will be sent as a work-kit to various schools for them to build and experiment with. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Education |