Measurement of the proton structure functions using inelastic electron scattering [Thesis; 6. 5 to 19. 5 GeV, cross sections, systematic errors, scaling tables]

Technical Report · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6852995· OSTI ID:6852995

Mestayer, Mac Donald ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Measurements of inclusive electron scattering cross sections from hydrogen are reported for beam energies between 6.5 GeV and 19.5 GeV and for electron scattering angles of 6, 10, 15, 18, and 20.6/sup 0/. These measurements were taken using the Stanford Linear Accelerator and the 20 GeV spectrometer. Details of the experiment and the analysis are presented along with an estimate of the systematic errors on the cross section. The data were taken simultaneously (but not in coincidence) with similar measurements at 50 and 60/sup 0/ using the SLAC 1.6 GeV spectrometer, sharing beam target. By combining large angle data taken on the 1.6 GeV spectrometer with the data taken on the 20 GeV spectrometer, the proton structure functions sigma/sub L/ and sigma/sub T/ (or equivalently, ..nu..W/sub 2/ and 2MW/sub 1/) were able to be separately determined. It was determined that data are consistent within systematic errors with earlier MIT-SLAC cross section measurements. A combined data set for the experiments was constructed. From the combined data set an average value of sigma/sub L//sigma/sub T/ = 0.21 +- 0.1 over the kinematic range covered, 3 GeV/sup 2/ < Q/sup 2/ < 18 GeV/sup 2/ and 4 GeV/sup 2/ < W/sup 2/ < 16 GeV/sup 2/ was determined. The dependence of sigma/sub L//sigma/sub T/ on different kinematic variables was studied. The Q/sup 2/ dependence was compared with theoretical predictions on quantum chromodynamics. The scaling behavior of the structure functions ..nu..W/sub 2/ and 2MW/sub 1/ was investigated. The values of ..nu..W/sub 2/ and 2MW/sub 1/ are evaluated along contours for which the scaling variables are constants. The Q/sup 2/ dependence along such contours is determined and agrees qualitatively with the predictions of asymptotically free gauge theories. 1 reference.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ., CA (United States); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-03-0515
• OSTI ID: 6852995
• Report Number(s): SLAC--214; SLAC-R--214
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645102 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions &amp; Properties-Experimental-- Weak Interactions &amp; Properties
645103* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions &amp; Properties-Experimental-- Strong Interactions &amp; Baryon &amp; Meson Properties
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BARYONS
CROSS SECTIONS
DATA FORMS
ELECTRON-NUCLEON INTERACTIONS
ELECTRON-PROTON INTERACTIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
ERRORS
FERMIONS
FUNCTIONS
GEV RANGE
GEV RANGE 01-10
GEV RANGE 10-100
HADRONS
INCLUSIVE INTERACTIONS
INELASTIC SCATTERING
INTERACTIONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LEPTON-BARYON INTERACTIONS
LEPTON-HADRON INTERACTIONS
LEPTON-NUCLEON INTERACTIONS
NUCLEONS
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PROTONS
SCALE INVARIANCE
SCATTERING
STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS
TABLES