Measurement of the neutron electric form-factor G(E,n) in the quasifree H-2(e(pol.),e' n(pol.))p reaction

The electric form factor of the neutron GE,n has been measured in the quasifree 2H(e→,e′n→)p reaction using the 855 MeV polarized cw electron beam of the Mainz Microtron MAMI. The polarization of the scattered neutrons was analyzed in a polarimeter consisting of two walls of plastic scintillators. The precession of the neutron spin in a magnetic field was used for the first time to circumvent the measurement of the effective analyzing power of the polarimeter and the beam polarization. In this way GE,n could be determined with little model dependence and experimental uncertainties. The result GE,n(0.34GeV2/c2)=0.0611±0.0069stat({+0.0069}{−0.0055})syst is larger than previously assumed.