Quasielastic (e,e′p) reaction on 12C,56Fe, and 197Au

Abstract

We report the results from a systematic study of the quasielastic (e,e′p) reaction on 12C, 56Fe, and 197Au performed at Jefferson Lab. We have measured nuclear transparency and extracted spectral functions (corrected for radiation) over a Q2 range of 0.64–3.25 (GeV∕c)2 for all three nuclei. In addition, we have extracted separated longitudinal and transverse spectral functions at Q2 of 0.64 and 1.8 (GeV∕c)2 for these three nuclei (except for 197Au at the higher Q2). The spectral functions are compared to a number of theoretical calculations. The measured spectral functions differ in detail but not in overall shape from most of the theoretical models. In all three targets the measured spectral functions show considerable excess transverse strength at Q2=0.64 (GeV∕c)2, which is much reduced at 1.8 (GeV∕c)2.