Determination of electron-nucleus collision geometry with forward neutrons

TL;DR

This paper explores how forward neutron multiplicity measurements can be used to determine collision geometry in electron-nucleus collisions, which is crucial for future electron-ion collider experiments.

Contribution

It proposes a method to tag collision geometries using forward neutrons, enhancing event-by-event geometric control in electron-nucleus scattering.

Findings

Forward neutron multiplicity correlates with collision geometry.

Tagging collision geometry can improve nuclear effect studies.

Potential for event-by-event geometric determination at electron-ion colliders.

Abstract

There are a large number of physics programs one can explore in electron-nucleus collisions at a future electron-ion collider. Collision geometry is very important in these studies, while the measurement for an event-by-event geometric control is rarely discussed in the prior deep inelastic scattering experiments off a nucleus. This paper seeks to provide some detailed studies on the potential of tagging collision geometries through forward neutron multiplicity measurements with a zero degree calorimeter. This type of geometry handle, if achieved, can be extremely beneficial in constraining nuclear effects for the electron-nucleus program at an electron-ion collider.