Measurement of R = σL/σT and the separated longitudinal and transverse structure functions in the nucleon-resonance region

We report on a detailed study of longitudinal strength in the nucleon resonance region, presenting new results from inclusive electron-proton cross sections measured at Jefferson Lab Hall C in the four-momentum transfer range 0.2 < Q(2) < 5.5 GeV2. The data have been used to accurately perform 167 Rosenbluth-type longitudinal/transverse separations. The precision R = sigma(L)/sigma(T) data are presented here, along with the first separate values of the inelastic structure functions F-1 and F-L in this regime. The resonance longitudinal component is found to be significant, both in magnitude and in the existence of defined mass peaks. Additionally, quark-hadron duality is here observed above Q(2) = 1 GeV2 in the separated structure functions independently.

Automated summary

This article reports on a detailed study of longitudinal strength in the nucleon resonance region, with new experimental results. The study used inclusive electron-proton cross section data measured at Jefferson Lab Hall C to accurately perform longitudinal/transverse separations and determine the values of the longitudinal component and inelastic structure functions. The study found significant magnitude and defined mass peaks in the resonance longitudinal component, and observed quark-hadron duality in the separated structure functions above Q(2) = 1 GeV2.