Proton and Neutron Momentum Distributions in A = 3 Asymmetric Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper discusses an approved experiment at Jefferson Lab to measure proton and neutron momentum distributions in A=3 nuclei, specifically 3He and 3H, using electron scattering to better understand nuclear structure.

Contribution

It proposes a new experimental approach to directly measure the proton-to-neutron momentum distribution ratio in mirror nuclei 3He and 3H.

Findings

Measurement of cross-sections and ratios at specified kinematics.

Data will improve understanding of nucleon momentum distributions.

Experiment scheduled for 12 days at Jefferson Lab.

Abstract

A proposal approved by the Jefferson Lab (JLab) PAC to study the proton-to-neutron momentum distribution ratio in A=3 nuclei via (e,e'p) scattering off 3He and 3H mirror nuclei. The experiment will measure the 3H(e,e'p) and 3He(e,e'p) cross-sections and cross-section ratios at Q2 = 2 and xB>1 kinematics, over a missing momentum range of 0 - 450 MeV/c. The experiment was approved in 2014 at part of the JLab Hall-A Tritium run period for a total run time of 12 days.