Determination of the argon spectral function from (e,e'p) data

Abstract

The E12-14-012 experiment, performed in Jefferson Lab Hall A, has measured the (e, e p) cross section in parallel kinematics using a natural argon target. Here, we report the full results of the analysis of the data set corresponding to beam energy 2.222 GeV, and spanning the missing momentum and missing energy range 15 pm 300 MeV/c and 12 Em 80 MeV. The reduced cross section, determined as a function of pm and Em with ≈4% accuracy, has been fitted using the results of Monte Carlo simulations involving a model spectral function and including the effects of final state interactions. The overall agreement between data and simulations turns out to be quite satisfactory (χ 2 /n.d.o.f.=1.9). The resulting spectral function will provide valuable new information, needed for the interpretation of neutrino interactions in liquid argon detectors.

Theoretical tools for neutrino scattering: interplay between lattice QCD, EFTs, nuclear physics, phenomenology, and neutrino event generators

“…Precision measurements of inclusive electron-nucleus scattering at a wide variety of kinematics are important for validating nuclear models [539]. Recent electron scattering measurements [540][541][542][543][544][545][546] on various targets (including Ar) indicate sizable discrepancies in the generator models beyond the quasielastic peak [539,547]. The essential first step is to incorporate the information on the nuclear ground state [540,544,545].…”

“…Recent electron scattering measurements [540][541][542][543][544][545][546] on various targets (including Ar) indicate sizable discrepancies in the generator models beyond the quasielastic peak [539,547]. The essential first step is to incorporate the information on the nuclear ground state [540,544,545]. Coverage must be extended into the SIS kinematic region and information on the final-state mesons and nucleons should be added [548][549][550] so that FSI models can be tested.…”