ELECTRON-SCATTERING STUDIES OF CORRELATIONS IN NUCLEI

The authors review theoretical estimates of spatial, spin, and isospin correlations among the nucleons in nuclei. The momentum distribution and spectral function of nucleons in nuclei are also discussed. The th eoretical estimates are compared with the observed correlation effects in the inclusive scattering of electrons from nuclei, at energies ran ging from a few hundred MeV to several GeV. The observed transparencie s of nuclei to protons ejected in inclusive e,e'p reactions are also c ompared with their theoretical estimates. Finally, the quenching of ex clusive single-quasiparticle-type reactions, indicative of the overall strength of correlations in nuclei, is discussed. There appears to be a qualitative agreement between theory and experiment, but a firm qua ntitative understanding is still to be obtained.