A simplified version of the $\alpha -d$ cluster formalism developed by Neudatchin, Smirnov, and their collaborators gives good agreement with the most recent elastic and inelastic (2.189-MeV) electron scattering data of Li et al. for momentum transfer $q^2\lesssim 6.5$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{-2\mathrm{}}$. Inclusion of lowest-order effects of dynamical volume deformations of the intercluster density extends the agreement to $q^2\lesssim 10.5$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{-2\mathrm{}}$. The contribution of the latter to the elastic form factor may be interpreted as due to an effective spherically symmetric "modulating charge" distribution superimposed upon the smoothly varying distribution responsible for the scattering at lower momentum transfer. This modulating charge is calculated explicitly and exhibits an oscillatory behavior. A similar analysis is carried out in the inelastic channel.

• Received 20 September 1972

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.8.269