Weak neutral-current effects in electron-scattering coincidence experiments

Using a recently developed helicity analysis of electron-scattering coincidence experiments, we derive general expressions for the asymmetry in the coincidence cross section with polarized incident electrons. The asymmetry cross section is expressed in terms of the helicity components of the electromagnetic and weak neutral currents in the center-of-momentum frame. The asymmetry arises from an interference between the electromagnetic and weak neutral currents and from parity admixtures in the nuclear wave functions. In the limit of heavy, static nuclei, connection can be made to the usual multipole matrix elements of the electromagnetic and weak interactions. Some simple examples are discussed for the case where the reaction proceeds through a single intermediate resonance.