Nucleon form factors and charge densities from the BLAST Experiment

The BLAST experiment was designed to study in a systematic manner the spin-dependent electromagnetic interaction. Utilizing the polarized electron beam in the MIT-Bates South Hall Storage Ring, highly-polarized isotopically pure targets of hydrogen and deuterium, and the symmetric general purpose BLAST detector; precise measurements have been made which permit the extraction of the proton and neutron charge and magnetic form factors. The neutron electric form factor especially is now known to a precision comparable to that of the other nucleon form factors. These results, together with previously existing data, will constrain theoretical models constructed to explain the detailed structure of nucleon form factors.