Elastic electron-deuteron scattering at 180 degrees at high momentum transfers

Measurements of the magnetic form factor $B(Q\sp2)$ of the deuteron at momentum transfers $Q\sp2$ = 1.49, 1.74, 1.98 and 2.48 (GeV/c)$\sp2$ are reported. The data were obtained at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center using the electron beam from the Nuclear Physics Injector. The back-scattered electrons at 180$\sp\circ$ and the recoiling deuterons at 0$\sp\circ$ were detected in coincidence in a large solid-angle double-arm 180$\sp\circ$ spectrometer system. The experimental technique and the extraction of the results are fully described. The results are compared with theoretical models for the magnetic form factor and lead to a better understanding of the short range nucleon-nucleon interaction.