A Kinematically Complete Analysis of the CLAS data on the Proton Structure Function $F_2$ in a Regge-Dual model

Abstract

The recently measured inclusive electron-proton cross section in the nucleon resonance region, performed with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson Laboratory, has provided new data for the nucleon structure function $F_2$ with previously unavailable precision. In this paper we propose a description of these experimental data based on a Regge-dual model for $F_2$. The basic inputs in the model are nonlinear complex Regge trajectories producing both isobar resonances and a smooth background. The model is tested against the experimental data, and the $Q^2-$ dependence of the moments is calculated. The fitted model for the structure function (inclusive cross section) is a limiting case of the more general scattering amplitude equally applicable to deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS). The connection between the two is discussed.

21 pages, 12 figures, revtex style. Misprints in eqs. (15,17) are corrected. To appear in Phys. Rev. D