Charged pion form factor between $Q^2$=0.60 and 2.45 GeV$^2$. I. Measurements of the cross section for the ${^1}$H($e,e'\pi^+$)$n$ reaction

Cross sections for the reaction {sup 1}H(e,e'{Pi}{sup +})n were measured in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) using the high-intensity Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) to determine the charged pion form factor. Data were taken for central four-momentum transfers ranging from Q{sup 2} = 0.60 to 2.45 GeV{sup 2} at an invariant mass of the virtual photon-nucleon system of W = 1.95 and 2.22 GeV. The measured cross sections were separated into the four structure functions {sigma}{sub L},{sigma}{sub T}, {sigma}{sub LT}, and {sigma}{sub TT}. The various parts of the experimental setup and the analysis steps are described in detail, including the calibrations and systematic studies, which were needed to obtain high-precision results. The different types of systematic uncertainties are also discussed. The results for the separated cross sections as a function of the Mandelstam variable t at the different values of Q{sup 2} are presented. Some global features of the data are discussed, and the data are compared with the results of some model calculations for the reaction {sup 1}H(e,e'{Pi}{sup +})n.