Proton polarization in the p(e,e′p)π0 reaction and the measurement of quadrupole components in the N to Δ transition

The recoil proton polarization in the π⁰ production off the proton with longitudinally polarized electron beam has been studied as a means to measure quadrupole components in the N to Δ transition. On top of the Δ resonance a high sensitivity to a possible Coulomb quadrupole excitation is found in parallel kinematics. The ratio of S ₁₊/M ₁₊ multipole amplitudes can be determined from the ratio of the two in-scattering-plane recoil proton polarization components. Avoiding the absolute measurement of the polarizations, such a ratio allows small experimental uncertainties. Furthermore, the electron helicity independent proton polarization component enables the characterization of resonant and non-resonant pieces. Received: 3 November 1997