Electromagnetic studies of Helium 3

Abstract

Results for the reactions ³He(e,³He)e and ³He(e,d)pe' are presented in this thesis. We used virtual photon formalism to derive the (γ,d) cross-sections from the measured (e,d) cross-sections. Angular distributions and isochromats were measured for this equivalent photodisintegration reaction. Theoretical isochromats were calculated for lrving-Gunn wavefunctions for the ³He, and Hulthen wavefunctions for the deuteron. The ratio of E2 to E1 transition strength in the photodisintegration cross-section was determined from both angular distributions and from isochromats. The ratios agree well with current calculations¹³,³⁵,⁵⁹, and are in disagreement with earlier work ²⁰,³⁶, as well as with a recent polarized proton capture experiment³⁷. The electron scattering form factors were measured for 13 4-momentum transfers squared of .885 fm⁻² ≤ q² ≤ 3.20 fm⁻² and were compared to previous (e, e) data. Model dependent fits used by previous authors were made to the data. In addition, a model independent determination of the radial charge density was done, and an RMS radius extracted.