Interference terms between monopole and quadrupole Coulomb form factors that contribute to the cross section of electron scattering from polarized nuclei are studied within the plane wave Born approximation. By experimentally exploring the effect of this nuclear response, valuable insights into the sign of the quadrupole deformation can be obtained. The nuclear structure is evaluated numerically using a self-consistent deformed Hartree-Fock approximation with Skyrme effective interactions and accounting for pairing correlations. To illustrate the practical applicability, several examples of odd-$A$ nuclei with different spins and deformations are examined. Comparison of unpolarized and polarized cross sections becomes a tool to discriminate between the oblate and prolate nature of the nuclear shape, providing a deeper understanding of the nuclear deformation.

• Received 14 September 2023
• Accepted 22 December 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.109.024312