Parity-violating electron-deuteron scattering

The longitudinal asymmetry due to Z⁰ exchange is calculated in quasielastic electron-deuteron scattering at momentum transfers |Q²|≃0.1 GeV² relevant for the SAMPLE experiment. The deuteron and pn-scattering-state wave functions are obtained from solutions of a Schrödinger equation with the Argonne υ ₁₈ potential. Electromagnetic and weak neutral one- and two-nucleon currents are included in the calculation. The two-nucleon currents of pion range are shown to be identical to those derived in chiral perturbation theory. The results indicate that two-body contributions to the asymmetry are small (≃0.2%) around the quasielastic peak, but become relatively more significant (≃3%) in the high-energy wing of the quasielastic peak.