riment, of at least four by HU, to be conducted by faculty from a Historically Black College or University at a national lab concentrating in nuclear physics. HU is also collaborating in various other experiments at Jefferson Lab and at other research institutions.
The complex experimental process for measuring kaons is based on a few scientific principles and the use of Jefferson Lab's unique continuous electron beam accelerator and house-sized experimental equipment.
"Kaons are produced as a result of scattering high energy electrons electrons traveling at the speed of light] off of protons contained in a certain target," explains Baker. "From this scattering process, both kaons and particles known as hyperons, are detected."
Jefferson Lab's beam of highly accelerated electrons were used to interact with protons from Hall C's liquid hydrogen target, adds Assamagan. "Liquid hydrogen is a good target for this experiment because it only has one proton in its nucleus," he explains. "The less protons there are, the easier it is to measure the motion of the particles."
Two detectors, located downstream of the target detect particles as they scattered from the target. One detector measures the momentum and direction of the scattered electrons, while the other detects the momentum and direction of the kaons. These two particles must be detected simultaneously in order to ensure that they are produced in the same interaction process.
The probability of creating kaons is very low. In fact, one out of every 1,0000 or so kaon events will actually be a kaon. "Jefferson Lab's continuous beam of electrons on a target allows the chances of creating kaons to increase," explains Niculescu. "Others were unable to perform a kaon electroproduction experiment as precise as the one we've completed because the equipment and the continuous beam were not available."
The resulting data, currently being analyzed, will provide a better understanding of the kaon, as well as form a basis for future experiments at Jefferson Lab, and elsewhere, involving kaons and the associated hypernuclei.
The immediate impact of the experiment will be felt by four of the HU graduate students who participated, as well as University of Maryland graduate student, Rick Mohring. For them, the data taken during the allotted beam-time provides a basis for their theses required to earn doctoral degrees in Physics.
As for the immediate impact or benefit to the rest of the world, "We never know... perhaps our children and grandchildren may find some practical use for our understanding of the electromagnetic properties of kaons," says Baker. "Meanwhile, we'll continue doing what we do best -- pursuing knowledge."