Weak Polarized Electron Scattering

Understand

Scattering polarized electrons provides an important probe of the weak interactions.

• Precisely measuring the parity-violating left-right cross section asymmetry is the goal of a number of experiments recently completed or in progress.
• The experiments are challenging, since A_{LR} is small, typically between 10^(-4) and 10^(-8).
• By carefully choosing appropriate targets and kinematics, various pieces of the weak Lagrangian can be isolated, providing a search for physics beyond the Standard Model.