Tensor polarization in elastic electron-deuteron scattering to the highest possible momentum transfers

In elastic electron-deuteron scattering, the tensor polarization moments t 20 , t 21 and t 22 , together with the unpolarized cross-sections, have been measured up to a momentum transfer of 1.8 (GeV/c) 2 , or 6.8 fm −1 . The experiment was performed at Jefferson Laboratory using the recoil deuteron polarimeter POLDER. Preliminary results are presented and discussed, especially in view of their significance concerning the applicability of perturbative QCD to this exclusive process.