High momentum transfer R{sub T,L} response functions for {sup 3,4}He.

The tantalizing problem of the 'quenching' of the Coulomb sum rule observed in medium weight nuclei is investigated in light nuclei at high momentum transfer. Inclusive electron scattering cross sections for {sup 3,4}He have been measured in the quasielastic region at electron energies between 0.9 GeV and 4.3 GeV, and scattering angles of 15deg and 85deg. Longitudinal (R{sub L}) and transverse (R{sub T}) response functions have been extracted using a Rosenbluth separation at constant vertical strokeq vectorvertical stroke of 1.050 (GeV/c). The ratio of the longitudinal to the transverse reduced response functions in the negative y region reaches unity. The experimental Coulomb sum rule although with large uncertainty and conversly to the case of medium weight nuclei, saturates at high momentum to the He nucleus total charge namely Z=2. (orig.). INDEX TERMS: coulomb excitation; differential cross sections; electron spectra; electrons; experimental data; gev range 01-10;