Elastic electron-proton scattering at momentum transfers up to 110 fermi−2

Abstract

Using the internal beam of DESY elastic electron-proton cross-sections were measured at various angles between 32° and 130°, and with momentum transfers ofq 2=39, 60, 80 and 110 fm−2. Two single-quadrupole spectrometers, movable around a common liquid-hydrogen target, were used for analysing the momentum of the scattered electrons. Cerenkov and shower counters discriminated against pion and low-energy background. As a cross-section reference, recoil protons from elastic scattering atq 2=10 fm−2 were used, with a quantameter serving as an intermediate monitor. The data are consistent with the Rosenbluth formula, giving real form factorsG E andG M . Both continue to decrease with increasing momentum transfer, but somewhat faster than indicated by measurements performed so far.