Analysis of polarimeter data for the 2001-2002 RHIC run

The results of several studies of the 200-MeV (LINAC), AGS (E880), and RHIC polarimeter data from the polarized proton run in 2001/2002 are presented. Much of this work occurred during or immediately after the run. Some of these analyses have implications for the understanding of the performance of the polarized ion source, AGS, and RHIC with polarized protons. Some of the conclusions include: (A) A recalibration of the 200-MeV polarimeter gives results consistent with the older calibration, but high rates in the 200-MeV polarimeter are still a problem. (B) No evidence of sizable systematic effects was found in several tests of the AGS polarimeter with a thin carbon fiber target. (C) Significant polarization loss in the AGS was observed above Gγ = 7.5 but not between injection and Gγ = 7.5. (D) The magnitude of the flattop asymmetry in the RHIC polarimeters decreases with time in a fill. (E) The RHIC polarimeter analyzing power on flattop is greater than or equal to that at injection. (F) Unexplained systematic effects were observed in the RHIC polarimeter, but the implications for the measured polarization asymmetry are not clear. These effects were not isolated events, but occurred throughout the run. Conceivably the data could indicate that the present RHIC polarimeter design will not be able to achieve a goal of a ± 5% measurement of the beam polarization