Measurements of the deuteron elastic magnetic structure function B(${\mathit{Q}}^2$) are reported at squared four-momentum transfer values 1.20≤${\mathit{Q}}^2$≤2.77 (GeV/c${)}^2$. Also reported are values for the proton magnetic form factor ${\mathit{G}}_{\mathit{M}\mathit{p}}$(${\mathit{Q}}^2$) at 11 ${\mathit{Q}}^2$ values between 0.49 and 1.75 (GeV/c${)}^2$. The data were obtained using an electron beam of 0.5 to 1.3 GeV. Electrons backscattered near 180° were detected in coincidence with deuterons or protons recoiling near 0° in a large solid-angle double-arm spectrometer system. The data for B(${\mathit{Q}}^2$) are found to decrease rapidly from ${\mathit{Q}}^2$=1.2 to 2 (GeV/c${)}^2$, and then rise to a secondary maximum around ${\mathit{Q}}^2$=2.5 (GeV/c${)}^2$. Reasonable agreement is found with several different models, including those in the relativistic impulse approximation, nonrelativistic calculations that include meson-exchange currents, isobar configurations, and six-quark configurations, and one calculation based on the Skyrme model. All calculations are very sensitive to the choice of deuteron wave function and nucleon form factor parametrization. The data for ${\mathit{G}}_{\mathit{M}\mathit{p}}$(${\mathit{Q}}^2$) are in good agreement with the empirical dipole fit.

• Received 14 December 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.42.38