Study of vector-polarized 6Li scattering

The elastic scattering vector analyzing powers for 6Li + 16O at 25.7 MeV and 6Li + 12C at 30 MeV have been measured in detail. In addition, the first analyzing power measurements for inelastic 6Li scattering have been made; specifically for the 2+ (4.44 MeV) state in 12C. The emphasis in the experiment was to obtain the highest quality data possible, which is a difficult task when working with a polarized ion source. The present vector analyzing power data, along with previous elastic and inelastic scattering cross section data, provide a severe test of current heavy ion scattering models. The data have been analyzed in the coupled channels framework, employing the double folding model for the real part of the nuclear scattering potential. The analysis shows that the vector analyzing power arises from a complicated interference between channel coupling effects and the spin orbit potential. Coupled channels calculations for the 12C, 2+ state predicted zero analyzing power in the angular range of the data, thus, only the explicit spin orbit potential will contribute to the analyzing power