We report precision measurements of the polarization transfer parameter {ital D}{sub {ital NN}} for 500 MeV polarized proton elastic scattering from {sup 12,13}C at the first diffractive minima in the differential cross sections. The ratio {ital D}{sub {ital NN}}({sup 13}C)/{ital D}{sub {ital NN}}({sup 12}C) (1.000{plus_minus}0.028) is consistent with zero spin-flip probability ({ital S}) for {sup 13}C, where {ital S} (1{minus}{ital D}{sub {ital NN}}). Comparisons are made with results of theoretical calculations reported in the literature. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

We report precision measurements of the polarization transfer parameter D-NN for 500 MeV polarized proton elastic scattering from C-12,C-13 at the first diffractive minima in the differential cross sections. The ratio D-NN(C-13)/D-NN(C-12) (1.000+/-0.028) is consistent with zero spin-flip probability (S) for C-13, where S = 1/2 (1 - D-NN). Comparisons are made with results of theoretical calculations reported in the literature.

determine) nuclear structure, and help study reaction mechanisms and dynamics; (2) provide unique, first-of-a-kind ``exploratory`` hadron-nucleus scattering data in the hope that such data will lead to discovery of new phenomena and new physics; and (3) perform precision tests of fundamental interactions, such as rare decay searches, whose observation would imply fundamental new physics.