arXiv · 2209.01492
First Observation of Large Missing-Momentum (e,e'p) Cross-Section Scaling and the onset of Correlated-Pair Dominance in Nuclei
Abstract
We report the first measurement of $x_B$-scaling in $(e,e'p)$ cross-section ratios off nuclei relative to deuterium at large missing-momentum of $350 \leq p_{miss} \leq 600$ MeV/c. The observed scaling extends over a kinematic range of $0.7 \leq x_B \leq 1.8$, which is significantly wider than $1.4 \leq x_B \leq 1.8$ previously observed for inclusive $(e,e')$ cross-section ratios. The $x_B$-integrated cross-section ratios become constant (i.e., scale) beginning at $p_{miss}\approx k_F$, the nuclear Fermi momentum. Comparing with theoretical calculations we find good agreement with Generalized Contact Formalism calculations for high missing-momentum ($> 375$ MeV/c), suggesting the observed scaling results from interacting with nucleons in short-range correlated (SRC) pairs. For low missing-momenta, mean-field calculations show good agreement with the data for $p_{miss}\le k_F$, and suggest that contributions to the measured cross-section ratios from scattering off single, un-correlated, nucleons are non-negligible up to $p_{miss}\approx 350$ MeV/c. Therefore, SRCs become dominant in nuclei at $p_{miss}\approx 350$ MeV/c, well above the nuclear Fermi Surface of $k_F \approx 250$ MeV/c.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
I. Korover, A. W. Denniston, A. Kiral, A. Schmidt, A. Lovato, N. Rocco, A. Nikolakopoulos, L. B. Weinstein, E. Piasetzky, O. Hen, the CLAS Collaboration. 2022-09-03. First Observation of Large Missing-Momentum (e,e'p) Cross-Section Scaling and the onset of Correlated-Pair Dominance in Nuclei. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.107.l061301
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.