New Neutron Insights Reveal Nucleon Structure and Spin

A new neutron measurement using the Central Neutron Detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility has provided insights into the internal structure and spin of nucleons. This experiment, led by Silvia Niccolai and her team, marks the first time deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) on the neutron has been directly detected, allowing researchers to access the generalized parton distribution (GPD) E. This advancement helps in understanding the contribution of quarks to nucleon spin, addressing the 'nucleon spin crisis.'