Verify 3N-SRC dominance scaling in both α3N and Q2 for 3H/3He inclusive ratios

Establish whether three-nucleon short-range correlation (3N-SRC) dominance scaling holds simultaneously in both the light-cone variable α3N and the momentum transfer Q2 for the inclusive electron-scattering cross-section ratio of 3H to 3He, by determining if the ratio exhibits scaling in α3N at fixed Q2 and in Q2 at fixed α3N across the relevant kinematic range.

Background

The paper investigates scaling behavior associated with short-range correlations (SRCs) in light nuclei, showing extended 2N-SRC scaling in A=3 systems and probing the onset of 3N-SRC effects at large α3N. Previous measurements at x>2 did not provide conclusive evidence for a 3N-SRC plateau, and identifying definitive kinematic conditions for 3N-SRC dominance has been challenging.

In the present data, the 3H/3He ratio at large α3N is consistent with certain model expectations but is measured at only one Q2 value in the α3N region where 3N-SRC dominance might occur. The authors explicitly note that they cannot verify the simultaneous scaling in α3N and Q2 with the available data and indicate that a precise test requires measurements at multiple Q2 values over the full α3N range.

References

Since our data set has only one Q2 value covering this range, we cannot verify the signature of 3N-SRC dominance scaling in both α{3N} and Q2. A precise test of scaling will require measuring the ratio at two Q2 values with high-precision over the full α{3N} range.

— Inclusive studies of two- and three-nucleon short-range correlations in $^3$H and $^3$He (2404.16235 - Li et al., 2024) in Discussion following Figure 4 (3H/3He ratios for the highest-Q2 data sets), paragraph beginning with 'Since our data set has only one Q2 value...'.