Neutron Form Factors from Quasi-Elastic Electron-Deuteron Scattering

The differential cross section for quasi-elastic electron-deuteron scattering has been measured at the Cambridge Electron Accelerator in the four-momentum-transfer region from 7 to 115 F^-2f[0.27 to 4.47 (BeV/c)²]. The method used involved a coincidence between scattered electrons and recoiling protons. Electrons without a high-energy proton in coincidence were assumed to be due to a neutron interaction. The impulse approximation as developed by Durand and McGee was used to extract from the data the ratio of neutron to proton cross sections. Neutron/proton cross-section ratios from deuterium were measured at q²=7,10,15,20,30,45,and 70 F^-2 (at 20^∘{}); at q²=15 F^-2 (at 90^∘{}); and at q²=115 F^-2 (at 29.64^∘{}). It is shown that in the low-q² region there are problems of theoretical interpretation. Finally, all available experimental data on the electron-neutron interaction are used to calculate values for the neutron form factors.