INCLUSIVE TRANSVERSE RESPONSE OF NUCLEAR-MATTER

The electromagnetic inclusive transverse response of nuclear matter at saturation density is studied within the correlated basis function pe rturbation theory for momentum transfers q from 300 to 550 MeV/c. The correlation operator includes a Jastrow component, accounting for the short range repulsion, as well as longer range spin, tensor, and isosp in ones. Up to correlated one-particle-one-hole intermediate states ar e considered. The spreading due to the decay of particle (hole) states into two-particle-one-hole (two-hole-one-particle) states is consider ed via a realistic optical potential model. The Schiavilla-Pandharipan de-Riska model for the two-body electromagnetic currents, constructed so as to satisfy the continuity equation with realistic upsilon(14) po tentials, is adopted. Currents due to intermediate Delta-isobar excita tions are also included. The global contribution of the two-body curre nts turns out to be positive and provides an enhancement of the one-bo dy transverse response ranging from similar to 20% for the lower momen ta to similar to 10% for the higher ones. This finding is in agreement with the Green's function Monte Carlo studies of the transverse Eucli dean response in A = 3,4 nuclei and contradicts previous results obtai ned within the Fermi gas and shell models. The tensor-isospin componen t of the correlation is found to be the leading factor responsible for such a behavior. The nuclear matter response is compared to recent ex perimental data on Ca-40 and Fe-56.