x and xi scaling of the nuclear structure function at large x - art. no. 014602

Inclusive electron scattering data are presented for H-2. C, Fe. and Au tar gets at an incident electron energy of 4.045 GeV for a range of momentum tr ansfers from Q(2) = 1 to 7 (GeV/c)(2). Data were taken at Jefferson Laborat ory for low values of energy loss, corresponding to values of Bjorken x gre ater than or similar to1. The structure functions do not show scaling in x in this range, where inelastic scattering is not expected to dominate the c ross section. The data do show scaling, however, in the Nachtmann variable xi. This scaling appears to he the result of Bloom-Gilman duality in the nu cleon structure function combined with the Fermi motion of the nucleons in the nucleus. The resulting extension of scaling to larger values of xi open s up the possibility of accessing nuclear structure functions in the high-x region at lower values of Q(2) than previously believed.