First Measurement of Unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep-Inelastic Scattering Cross Sections From a He 3 Target

Abstract

The unpolarized semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) differential cross sections in 3He(e,e′π±)X have been measured for the first time in Jefferson Lab experiment E06-010 with a 5.9GeV e- beam on a 3He gas target. The experiment focuses on the valence quark region, covering a kinematic range 0.12\u3cxbj\u3c0.45,1\u3cQ2\u3c4(GeV/c)2,0.45\u3czh\u3c0.65, and 0.05\u3cPt\u3c0.55GeV/c. The extracted SIDIS differential cross sections of π± production are compared with existing phenomenological models while the 3He nucleus approximated as two protons and one neutron in a plane-wave picture, in multidimensional bins. Within the experimental uncertainties, the azimuthal modulations of the cross sections are found to be consistent with zero. © 2017 American Physical Society