Empirical fit to precision inclusive electron-proton cross sections in the resonance region

Abstract

An empirical fit is described to measurements of inclusive inelastic electron-proton cross sections in the kinematic range of four-momentum transfer $0\ensuremath{\leqslant}{Q}^{2}<8$ GeV${}^{2}$ and final-state invariant mass $1.1<W<3.1$ GeV. The fit is constrained by the recent high-precision longitudinal and transverse separated cross section measurements from Jefferson Lab Hall C, unseparated Hall C measurements up to ${Q}^{2}$ $\ensuremath{\approx}7.5$ ${\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$, and photoproduction data at ${Q}^{2}=0$. Compared to previous fits, the present fit covers a wider kinematic range, fits both transverse and longitudinal cross sections, and features smooth transitions to the photoproduction data at ${Q}^{2}=0$ and deep inelastic scattering data at high ${Q}^{2}$ and $W$.