Study of Quasi-Elastic Scattering on Nuclei: Experimental Verification of the Coulomb Sum Rule

Abstract

Inclusive electron scattering cross section data from Jefferson Lab Coulomb Sum Rule experiment have been analyzed. The measurement was performed at four scattering angles of 15, 60, 90 and 120 degrees and with various incident energies ranging 0.4 to 4 GeV. The three momentum transfer range covers 0.55 to 0.95 GeV/c, which has never been explored in the previous experiments. A Rosenbluth separation at constant three momentum transfer was performed to verify the Coulomb Sum Rule, by which the medium modification of the nucleon form factor inside the nucleus can be tested. Coulomb distortion effect was corrected using Effective Momentum Approximation. Results of 12C and 56Fe data are presented with detailed analysis procedure. Comparison with existing data was performed at low momentum transfers. The possible quenching of the Coulomb Sum was found at the lowest 3-momentum transfers. However, the Coulomb Sum at higher momentum transfer shows interesting features which requires further study.