Nucleon momentum distribution in deuteron and other nuclei within the light-front dynamics method

• Published in: arXiv.org 2001-11
• Main Authors: Antonov, A N, Gaidarov, M, Ivanov, M V, Kadrev, D N, Krumova, G Z, Hodgson, P E, von Geramb, H V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; Elastic scattering; Form factors; Mathematical analysis; Momentum transfer; Nuclei; Quadrupoles; Relativism; Relativistic effects; Scaling
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.0106044

The relativistic light-front dynamics (LFD) method has been shown to give a correct description of the most recent data for the deuteron monopole and quadrupole charge form factors obtained at the Jefferson Laboratory for elastic electron-deuteron scattering for six values of the squared momentum transfer between 0.66 and 1.7 (GeV/c)\(^{2}\). The good agreement with the data is in contrast with the results of the existing non-relativistic approaches. In this work we firstly make a complementary test of the LFD applying it to calculate another important characteristic, the nucleon momentum distribution \(n(q)\) of the deuteron using six invariant functions \(f_{i}\) \((i=1,...,6)\) instead of two (\(S\)- and \(D\)-waves) in the nonrelativistic case. The comparison with the \(y\)-scaling data shows the decisive role of the function \(f_{5}\) which at \(q\geq\) 500 MeV/c exceeds all other \(f\)-functions (as well as the \(S\)- and \(D\)-waves) for the correct description of \(n(q)\) of the deuteron in the high-momentum region. Comparison with other calculations using \(S\)- and \(D\)-waves corresponding to various nucleon-nucleon potentials is made. Secondly, using clear indications that the high-momentum components of \(n(q)\) in heavier nuclei are related to those in the deuteron, we develop an approach within the natural orbital representation to calculate \(n(q)\) in \((A,Z)\)-nuclei on the basis of the deuteron momentum distribution. As examples, \(n(q)\) in \(^{4}\)He, \(^{12}\)C and \(^{56}\)Fe are calculated and good agreement with the \(y\)-scaling data is obtained.