The Tensor Experiment Program at Jefferson Lab

Upcoming at Jefferson Lab's Hall C are two experiments, b₁ and A_zz which will provide new insight into the nature of the tensor state of deuterons. The first experiment, b₁ seeks to measure the deuteron tensor structure function b₁, which may provide clues to exotic tensor physics happening in the structure of the deuteron, such as tensor spin contributions from anti-quark distributions, or from six-quark hidden-color effects. The second experiment, Azz, will be a first-of-its-kind measurement of the tensor asymmetry in the quasi-elastic regime. Both experiments are approved by Jefferson Lab, with a goal of running within the next few years. These experiments will require the development of a highly tensor-polarized deuterated target. The target development is happening in the University of New Hampshire polarized target lab as well as at the University of Virginia. Recent developments in tensor polarization have shown an ability to achieve approximately 30% tensor polarization, and our current work is focused on continuing achieving high tensor polarization for usage in the tensor experiment program.