In a collaborative effort led by researchers from the University of South Carolina, a team of scientists has conducted the first study of nuclear responses to fast hadrons using angular correlations between pions and slow protons in electron-nucleus scattering. The research, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, provides new insights into how a nucleus responds to a fast-moving quark, with potential implications for the energy sector, particularly in understanding nuclear reactions and improving nuclear energy technologies.
The study employed the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) detector with a 5-GeV electron beam incident on deuterium, carbon, iron, and lead targets. The researchers measured angular correlations between high-energy pions and slow protons, finding that for heavier nuclei, the pion-proton correlation function is more spread-out in azimuth than for lighter ones. This effect was more pronounced in the pion-proton channel than in earlier pion-pion studies. Additionally, the proton-to-pion yield ratio increased with nuclear mass, although the increase appeared to saturate for the heaviest targets.
The observed trends were qualitatively reproduced by state-of-the-art electron-nucleus event generators, including BeAGLE, eHIJING, and GiBUU. This indicates that current descriptions of target fragmentation are theoretically sound. However, the precision of the data also exposed model-dependent discrepancies, highlighting areas for future improvements in the treatment of cold-nuclear matter effects in electron-nucleus scattering.
For the energy sector, this research offers a deeper understanding of nuclear reactions, which can be applied to improve nuclear energy technologies. By refining models of nuclear responses, scientists can enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of nuclear power plants. Additionally, the insights gained from this study can contribute to the development of advanced nuclear fuels and the management of nuclear waste, further supporting the sustainable use of nuclear energy.
The researchers involved in this study represent a diverse group of institutions, including the University of South Carolina, the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and numerous other universities and research centers around the world. Their collaborative efforts have provided a significant advancement in the field of nuclear physics, with practical applications that extend into the energy industry.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.