Quasi-elastic scattering of proton with 1 GeV energy on eight-nucleon cluster inside nucleus

TL;DR

This paper analyzes polarization and momentum distribution data from 1 GeV proton inelastic scattering on various nuclei, revealing structures likely due to quasi-elastic scattering off an eight-nucleon cluster inside the nucleus.

Contribution

It provides evidence for quasi-elastic scattering involving an eight-nucleon cluster within nuclei at high momenta, based on polarization and momentum distribution analysis.

Findings

Observation of structure at high momentum K related to cluster scattering

Evidence supporting the existence of an eight-nucleon cluster inside nuclei

Analysis of polarization data indicating quasi-elastic scattering processes

Abstract

Available data on the polarization of the secondary proton (as a function of its momentum $K$) in the inelastic ({\it p, p$'$}) reactions with the $^{9}$Be, $^{12}$C, and $^{40}$Ca nuclei and differential cross section data (the momentum distributions) for the reactions at the initial proton energy 1 GeV and scattering angles $\Theta$=21$^\circ$ and $\Theta$=24.5$^\circ$ were analysed in a range of the high momenta $K$ close to the momentum corresponding to the proton elastic scattering off the investigated nucleus. A structure in the polarization and momentum distribution data at the high momenum $K$, related probably to quasi-elastic scattering off a $^{8}$Be-like nucleon cluster inside the nuclei, was observed.