Date of Award

Spring 2026

Abstract

To determine the spin polarization of deuterons, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is used. This is necessary for polarized targets, such as for the upcoming $A_{zz}$ and $b_{1}$ experiment at Jefferson Lab. These polarized target experiments are expected to discriminate between different models of the deuteron, which in turn could lead to a better understanding of short-range correlations (SRCs). NMR measures the impedance of a solenoid around a deuterated sample. Although the impedance is a complex value, conventionally only the real part of the impedance has been used for this purpose. However, often the tune is not precisely real, meaning the signal has at least some small imaginary portion. This conventionally has been dealt with by an offset parameter, such as Dulya's false asymmetry method. For vector polarization, this suffices, as the tuning is factored into the overall error of the results, and for a small phase angle does not make much of a difference. However, for tensor polarization, the exact lineshape of the signal is quite significant, and treating the impedance as complex during analysis removes the need for an offset parameter. It also provides more accurate results, as the conventional false asymmetry method over- or underestimates polarization, depending on the sign of the phase angle. Additional adjustments must be made to fit signals from targets not in Boltzmann equilibrium, such as from hole burning. Incorporating the phase angle into the parameterization of the lineshape also allows the determination of polarizations from significantly complex or even imaginary signals. The conventional parameterization of the lineshape also does not have a fully linear relationship with the vector polarization, and this can and should be corrected.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Elena Long

Second Advisor

James Connell

Third Advisor

François Foucart

Department or Program

Physics

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

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