Diana Parno Abstract

Diana Parno
Carnegie Mellon University

"High-Precision Compton Plarimetry in Hall A of Jefferson Lab"

A wide range of nucleon and nuclear structure experiments in Jefferson Lab's Hall A require precise and continuous measurements of the polarization of the electron beam. The Compton polarimeter takes these measurements by scattering electrons from photons in a Fabry-Perot cavity. By measuring an asymmetry in the integrated signal of the Compton-scttered photons detected in a GSO crystal, we can monitor the beam polarization in real time, even as data is taken on nuclear targets downstream. In this talk, I will share our work in rebuilding nearly every aspect of Hall A's Compton polarimeter -- from the laser that feeds the Fabry-Perot cavity, to the photon detector and data acquisition system, to the analysis method itself - - as we seek to achieve 1% statistical accuracy in two hours of running.