Spin-Filtering Studies at COSY

We propose to use an internal polarised target in the COSY ring to determine the polarisation build–up in a proton beam. Spin–filtering experiments at COSY would provide the necessary data to test our present understanding of spin–filtering processes in storage rings. Measurements of the polarisation build–up of stored protons are crucial to progress towards the PAX goal to eventually produce stored polarised antiproton beams. The availability of intense stored beams of polarised antiprotons will provide access to a wealth of single– and double–spin observables, opening a new window on QCD spin physics. It is planned to realise this experimental programme at the new Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. A recent experiment at COSY revealed that e~p spin–flip cross sections are too small to cause a detectable depolarisation of a stored proton beam. This measurement rules out a proposal to use polarised electrons to polarise a proton beam by ~ep spin–flip interactions. Thus, our approach to provide a beam of polarised protons is based on spin–filtering using an internal polarised gas target. In total 22 weeks of beam time are needed to complete the experimental program at COSY. We now ask for two weeks of beam time for commissioning of the low–β section and measuring the machine acceptance.