The Polarization of the Recoil Proton in Eta Photoproduction

Author: Winstein, Bruce Darrell

Year: 1970

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Heusch, Clemens A.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/9Y7A-3S44

Abstract

We measured the recoil proton polarization in the process γp → pη at the 1.5 GeV Caltech electron synchrotron, at photon energies from 0.8 to 1.1 GeV, and at center-of-mass production angles around 90°. A counter-spark chamber array was used to determine the kinematics of all particles in the final state of the partial mode γp → pη (η → 2γ). The protons' polarization was determined by measuring an asymmetry in scattering off carbon. Analysis of 280,000 pictures yielded 2400 useful scatters with a background which was 30% of the foreground. The polarization results show a sizeable opposite parity interference at 830 MeV, 950 MeV, and 1100 MeV.

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