Neutron Form Factors from Inelastic Electron-Deuteron Scattering

Abstract

The electromagnetic form factors of the neutron have been measured in the $q^2$ range from 1.0 to 30.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{-2\mathrm{}}$. It is found that for values of $q^2$ greater than about 6.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{-2\mathrm{}}$ the square of the neutron's charge form factor ${\left(G_{\mathrm{En}}\right)}^2$ is consistent with zero to within an error of the order of 5% in the existing theoretical cross section. For values of $q^2$ less than 6.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{-2\mathrm{}}$ it is concluded that meaningful values of the neutron form factors cannot be given until the necessary corrections to the theory are better understood. The present results on the neutron form factors are combined with recent measurements of the proton form factors to provide experimental determinations of the isotopic nucleon form factors. It is found that the $\omega$ and $\varphi$ mesons provide a good approximation to the observed isoscalar form factors but that it is difficult to understand the behavior of the isovector form factors in terms of the $\rho$ meson alone.