Many-body theory interpretation of deep inelastic scattering

We analyze data on deep inelastic scattering of electrons from the proton using ideas from standard many-body theory involving {\em bound} constituents subject to {\em interactions}. This leads us to expect, at large three-momentum transfer ${\bf{q}}$, scaling in terms of the variable $\tilde{y}=\nu-{\bf |q|}$. The response at constant ${\bf |q|}$ scales well in this variable. Interaction effects are manifestly displayed in this approach. They are illustrated in two examples.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

On the behaviour of the nuclear spectral function at high momentum and removal energy

The extrapolation of the nuclear spectral function at large nucleon three-momentum and removal energy is suggested.Comment: 13 pages, 2 Postscript figure

Backward hadron production in neutrino-nucleus interactions

The production of backward pions in lepton-nucleus collisions is analyzed. We show that a large yield of high momentum backward pions can be explained by the Regge asymptotic of the distribution of nucleons carrying a large momentum fraction in the nuclear target. The calculated spectra of pions emitted in the neutrino + Ne --> muon + pion + X reaction are in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Final-state interactions in the response of nuclear matter

Final-state interactions in the response of a many-body system to an external probe delivering large momentum are normally described using the eikonal approximation, for the trajectory of the struck particle, and the frozen approximation, for the positions of the spectators. We propose a generalization of this scheme, in which the initial momentum of the struck particle is explicitly taken into account. Numerical calculations of the nuclear matter response at 1 $< |{\bf q}| <$ 2 GeV/c show that the inclusion of this momentum dependence leads to a sizable effect in the low energy tail. Possible implications for the analysis of existing electron-nucleus scattering data are discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figure

Interpretation of y-scaling of the nuclear response

The behavior of the nuclear matter response in the region of large momentum transfer, in which plane wave impulse approximation predicts the onset of y-scaling, is discussed. The theoretical analysis shows that scaling violations produced by final state interactions are driven by the momentum dependence of the nucleon-nucleon scattering cross section. Their study may provide valuable information on possible modifications of nucleon-nucleon scattering in the nuclear medium.Comment: 4 pages with 3 figures. To appear in Physical Review Letter

Q**2-dependence of semi-inclusive electron-nucleus scattering and nucleon-nucleon correlations

We analize semi-inclusive electron-nucleus processes e+A->e'+h+X at moderate Q**2 and energy transfer nu. Our results show that nucleons bound in the nuclear medium are distributed according to a function f_A that reduces to the standard light-cone distribution in the Bjorken limit and exhibits a sizeable Q**2-dependence at lower Q**2, particular Q**2 is order of nu**2.Comment: 8 pages of LaTeX-text and 2 figure ps-file

Nuclear Physics with Electroweak Probes

In recent years, the italian theoretical Nuclear Physics community has played a leading role in the development of a unified approach, allowing for a consistent and fully quantitative description of the nuclear response to electromagnetic and weak probes. In this paper I review the main achievements in both fields, point out some of the open problems, and outline the most promising prospects.Comment: Invited Talk at the XII Workshop on Theoretical Nuclear Physics in Italy, Cortona, October 8-10, 200

Q**2-dependence of deep inelastic lepton scattering off nuclear targets

Deep inelastic scattering of leptons off nuclear targets is analized within the convolution model taking into account nucleon-nucleon correlations. We show that in the nuclear medium nucleons are distributed according to a function that exhibits a sizeable Q**2-dependence and reduces to the ordinary light-cone distribution in the Bjorken limit. At Q**2 1 this Q**2-dependence turns out to be stronger than the one associated with the nucleon structure function, predicted by pertubative quantum chromodynamics.Comment: 11 pages including figs. Figs. can be sent by PS-fil