Exclusive $\pi^+$ electroproduction off the proton from low to high -t

Understand

Background: Measurements of exclusive meson production are a useful tool in the study of hadronic structure.

• In particular, one can discern the relevant degrees of freedom at different distance scales through these studies.
• Purpose: To study the transition between non-perturbative and perturbative Quantum Chromodyanmics as the square of four momentum transfer to the struck proton, -t, is increased.
• Method: Cross sections for the $^1$H(e,e'$\pi^+$)n reaction were measured over the -t range of 0.272 to 2.127 GeV$^2$ with limited azimuthal coverage at fixed beam energy of 4.709 GeV, Q$^2$ of 2.4 GeV$^2$ and W of 2.0 GeV at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) Hall C.