A new approach to gamma-scaling and the universal features of scaling functions and nucleon momentum distributions

Some systematic general features of y-scaling structure functions, which ar e essentially independent of detailed dynamics, are pointed out. Their phys ical interpretation in terms of general characteristics, such as a mean fie ld description and nucleon-nucleon correlations, is given and their relatio nship to the momentum distributions illustrated. A new relativistic scaling variable is proposed which incorporates the momentum dependence of the exc itation energy of the (A - 1) system, with the resulting scaling function b eing closely related to the longitudinal momentum distributions and being f ree from removal-energy scaling violating effects. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.