A measurement of the virtual-photon asymmetry A_2(x,Q^2) and of the spin-structure function g_2(x,Q^2) of the proton are presented for the kinematic range 0.004 < x < 0.9 and 0.18 GeV^2 < Q^2 < 20 GeV^2. The data were collected by the HERMES experiment at the HERA storage ring at DESY while studying inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of 27.6 GeV longitudinally polarized leptons off a transversely polarized hydrogen gas target. The results are consistent with previous experimental data from CERN and SLAC. For the x-range covered, the measured integral of g_2(x) converges to the null result of the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule. The x^2 moment of the twist-3 contribution to g_2(x) is found to be compatible with zero.
The spin-structure function $xg_2(x,Q^2)$ and virtual-photon asymmetry $A_2(x,Q^2)$ of the proton in bins of $(x,Q^2)$, see text for details. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are presented separately.
The spin-structure function $xg_2$ and the virtual-photon asymmetry $A_2$ of the proton after evolving to common $Q^2$ and averaging over in each $x$-bin (see text for details). Statistical and systematic uncertainties are presented separately.
Correlation matrix for $xg_2$ in 9 $x$-bins (as in Table 2).
We present the first measurement of the Q^2-dependence of the neutron spin structure function g_2^n at five kinematic points covering 0.57 (GeV/c)^2 <= Q^2 <= 1.34 (GeV/c)^2 at x~0.2. Though the naive quark-parton model predicts g_2=0, non-zero values for g_2 occur in more realistic models of the nucleon which include quark-gluon correlations, finite quark masses or orbital angular momentum. When scattering from a non-interacting quark, $g_2^n$ can be predicted using next-to-leading order fits to world data for g_1^n. Deviations from this prediction provide an opportunity to examine QCD dynamics in nucleon structure. Our results show a positive deviation from this prediction at lower Q^2, indicating that contributions such as quark-gluon interactions may be important. Precision data obtained for g_1^n are consistent with next-to-leading order fits to world data.
Measured values of G1N ang G2N.
We have measured the spin structure functions g2p and g2d and the virtual photon asymmetries A2p and A2d over the kinematic range 0.02 < x < 0.8 and 0.7 < Q^2 < 20 GeV^2 by scattering 29.1 and 32.3 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from transversely polarized NH3 and 6LiD targets. Our measured g2 approximately follows the twist-2 Wandzura-Wilczek calculation. The twist-3 reduced matrix elements d2p and d2n are less than two standard deviations from zero. The data are inconsistent with the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule if there is no pathological behavior as x->0. The Efremov-Leader-Teryaev integral is consistent with zero within our measured kinematic range. The absolute value of A2 is significantly smaller than the sqrt[R(1+A1)/2] limit.
Values of A2 and X*G2 from proton and deuterium target data at mean electron scattering angle of 2.75 degrees and incident energy 29.1 GeV. Errors shown are statistical only.
Values of A2 and X*G2 from proton and deuterium target data at mean electron scattering angle of 5.5 degrees and incident energy 29.1 GeV. Errors shown are statistical only.
Values of A2 and X*G2 from proton and deuterium target data at mean electron scattering angle of 10.5 degrees and incident energy 29.1 GeV. Errors shown are statistical only.
We have measured the spin structure functions g2p and g2d and the virtual photon asymmetries A2p and A2d over the kinematic range 0.02 < x < 0.8 and 1.0 < Q^2 < 30(GeV/c)^2 by scattering 38.8 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from transversely polarized NH3 and 6LiD targets.The absolute value of A2 is significantly smaller than the sqrt{R} positivity limit over the measured range, while g2 is consistent with the twist-2 Wandzura-Wilczek calculation. We obtain results for the twist-3 reduced matrix elements d2p, d2d and d2n. The Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule integral - int(g2(x)dx) is reported for the range 0.02 < x < 0.8.
2.75 degree spectrometer data.
5.5 degree spectrometer data.
10.5 degree spectrometer data.
We have measured the neutron structure function g$_{2}^{n}$ and the virtual photon-nucleon asymmetry A$_{2}^{n}$ over the kinematic range $0.014\leq x \leq 0.7$ and $1.0 \leq Q^{2} \leq 17.0$ by scattering 48.3 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from polarized $^{3}$He. Results for A$_{2}^{n}$ are significantly smaller than the $\sqrt{R}$ positivity limit over most of the measured range and data for g$_2^{n}$ are generally consistent with the twist-2 Wandzura-Wilczek prediction. Using our measured g$_{2}^{n}$ we obtain results for the twist-3 reduced matrix element $d_{2}^{n}$, and the integral $\int$g$_{2}^{n}(x)dx$ in the range $0.014\leq x \leq 1.0$. Data from this experiment are combined with existing data for g$_{2}^{n}$ to obtain an average for $d_{2}^{n}$ and the integral $\int$g$_{2}^{n}(x)dx$.
Data measured using the 2.75 degree spectrometer.
Data measured using the 5.5 degree spectrometer.
Measured value of the twist-3 reduced matrix element D2.
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