Inclusive scattering data on light nuclei as a tool for the extraction of image Original Research Article

We demonstrate that refinements in the analysis of inclusive scattering data on light nuclei enable the extraction of, generally accurate, values of the neutron magnetic form factor View the MathML source. In particular, a recent parameterization of ep inclusive resonance excitation enables a reliable calculation of the inelastic background, and as a consequence a separation of quasi-elastic and inelastic contributions. A far larger number of data points than previously considered is now available for analysis and enables a more reliable extraction of View the MathML source from cross section and RT data on D and He. A conspicuous result is a neutron reduced form factor αn(Q2), which decreases with increasing Q2 up to the largest measured Q2≈10 GeV2. The achieved accuracy appears mainly limited by the present uncertainties in the knowledge of proton form factors and by the accuracy of the data.