Relativity in polarized electron scattering observables

Abstract

Coincidence scattering of polarized electrons from nuclei with polarization transfer to outgoing nucleons is studied within the context of relativistic mean field theory. Effects introduced by the dynamical enhancement of the lower components of the bound and scattered nucleon wave functions are analyzed for the polarized response functions and transferred polarization asymmetries. Results obtained by projecting out the negative-energy components are compared with the fully-relativistic calculation. The crucial role played by the relativistic dynamics in some spin-dependent observables is clearly manifested even for low/medium values of the missing momentum. Kinematical relativistic effects are also analyzed. A discussion of the factorization approach and the mechanism for its breakdown is also briefly presented.