Low Energy Electron Positron Physics at Jefferson Lab

A Method to Measure Positron Beam Polarization Using Optically Polarized Atoms

Not scheduled

20m

F113 (CEBAF CENTER)

Speaker

Timothy Gay (University of Nebraska)

Description

We outline an experimental technique for measuring the degree of polarization of a positron beam using an optically pumped, spin-polarized Rb target. The technique is based on the production and measurement of the ortho- and para-positronium fractions through positron collisions with the Rb atoms as a function of their polarization. Using realistic estimates for the cross sections and experimental parameters involved, we estimate that a polarization measurement with an accuracy of 3% of the measured value can be achieved in an hour.