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19.12.202419.12.2024

Unlocking the Secrets of the Neutron: Breakthrough Experiment at Jefferson Lab

A team of international researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Jefferson Lab in the US, successfully probing the internal structure of the neutron using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS12). The experiment measured generalized parton distributions, providing a detailed picture of how the neutron’s constituent quarks contribute to its momentum and spin. This achievement is crucial for understanding the strong interactions within neutrons and could help address the longstanding “spin crisis” in particle physics.

Forecast for 6 months: Expect a surge in research collaborations and experiments focused on studying the internal structure of neutrons, building upon the breakthrough achieved at Jefferson Lab.
Forecast for 1 year: The scientific community will likely see a significant increase in publications and presentations related to the study of neutrons, as researchers aim to replicate and expand upon the findings of the CLAS12 experiment.
Forecast for 5 years: The development of new detection techniques and instruments, such as the Central Neutron Detector, will become more widespread, enabling further exploration of the neutron’s internal structure and potentially leading to a deeper understanding of the strong force.
Forecast for 10 years: The “spin crisis” in particle physics may be resolved, as researchers continue to gather data and refine their understanding of the neutron’s internal structure, ultimately shedding light on the role of quarks and gluons in determining the total spin of nucleons.

Tags: development, discovery, research