Determination of the argon spectral function from (e, e ' p) data

The E12-14-012 experiment, performed in Jefferson Lab Hall A, has measured the (e,e'p) cross section in parallel kinematics using a natural argon target. Here, we report the full results of the analysis of the data set corresponding to beam energy 2.222 GeV, and spanning the missing momentum and missing energy range 15 less than or similar to p(m) less than or similar to 300 MeV /c and 12 less than or similar to E-m less than or similar to 80 MeV. The reduced cross section, determined as a function of p(m) and E-m with approximate to 4% accuracy, has been fitted using the results of Monte Carlo simulations involving a model spectral function and including the effects of final state interactions. The overall agreement between data and simulations turns out to be quite satisfactory (chi(2)/d.o.f. = 1.9). The resulting spectral function will provide valuable new information, needed for the interpretation of neutrino interactions in liquid argon detectors.