A new PWIA for scattering of multi-GeV electrons by nuclei
The cross section for electron scattering by nuclei at high momentum transfers, is calculated within a new version of the plane wave impulse approximation (PWIA). Binding effects on the struck nucleon are introduced through the relativistic mean field theory (MFT). The model naturally satisfies current conservation, since the response tensor for an off-shell nucleon has the same form of a free one with an effective mass. Different parameterizations for the inelastic nucleon structure function, are analyzed. Fermi smearing is introduced through a momentum distribution obtained from a perturbative calculation, in nuclear matter. Recent CEBAF data on inclusive electron scattering of 4.05 GeV electrons for 56^Fe are well reproduced for all measured geometries. Scaling behavior of the model in terms of the scaling variable associated to the MFT is analyzed for first time, and the calculated theoretical scaling function significantly improves previous PWIA calculations.