Date Thesis Awarded
4-2018
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Physics
Advisor
Justin Stevens
Committee Members
Irina Novikova
Heather Sasinowska
Abstract
The structure of protons is a point of interest in nuclear physics due to the lack of consensus between the cumulative spin of a proton and the sum of the spins of its constituent quarks. In the GlueX Experiment at the Jefferson Lab Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), a particle physics process known as Timelike Compton Scattering (TCS), given by the reaction ���� → ����+��-, can be used to help potentially explain this discrepancy. With an eventual goal of providing a comparison of the experimental GlueX TCS data to Generalized Parton Distribution (GPD) models, initial research focused on isolating a pure TCS signal from a larger data set containing primarily the background reaction ���� → ����+��-. After identifying and placing range restrictions upon experimental variables which are sensitive to the differences between ��± and ��± data, next steps included identifying the scattering plane angles of the electrons and positrons; significant variables in the cross section ratio present in GPDs. Our resulting plot of the �� plane vs detected ��+��- events indicated that the application of the restrictions that I selected and implemented to a larger data set will make it possible to more conclusively determine the presence and receptivity of TCS to GPD parameters.
Recommended Citation
Cramer, Alexandra, "Timelike Compton Scattering in the GlueX Experiment at Jefferson Lab" (2018). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1235.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1235
