Polarized Structure Function $\sigma_{LT'}$ from $\pi^0 p$ Electroproduction Data in the Resonance Region at $0.4$ GeV$^2 < Q^2 < 1.0$ GeV$^2$

TL;DR

This paper presents the first measurements of the polarized structure function $\sigma_{LT'}$ in exclusive $\pi^0 p$ electroproduction, revealing resonance contributions and aiding the extraction of nucleon resonance amplitudes in the 1.6 GeV mass range.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on $\sigma_{LT'}$ in the resonance region, enhancing understanding of nucleon resonance electroexcitation at moderate $Q^2$ values.

Findings

Demonstrated sensitivity of Legendre moments to nucleon resonances

Extended data on beam spin asymmetries in $\pi^0 p$ electroproduction

Facilitated extraction of resonance electroexcitation amplitudes

Abstract

The first results on the $\sigma_{LT'}$ structure function in exclusive $\pi^0p$ electroproduction at invariant masses of the final state of 1.5 GeV $<$ $W$ $<$ 1.8 GeV and in the range of photon virtualities 0.4 GeV$^2 < Q^2 < 1.0$ GeV$^2$ were obtained from data on beam spin asymmetries and differential cross sections measured with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. The Legendre moments determined from the $\sigma_{LT'}$ structure function have demonstrated sensitivity to the contributions from the nucleon resonances in the second and third resonance regions. These new data on the beam spin asymmetries in $\pi^0p$ electroproduction extend the opportunities for the extraction of the nucleon resonance electroexcitation amplitudes in the mass range above 1.6 GeV.