Measurements of ν${\mathit{W}}_2$ and R=${\mathrm{\sigma }}_{\mathit{L}}$/${\mathrm{\sigma }}_{\mathit{T}}$ from inelastic electron-aluminum scattering near x=1

Cross sections for inclusive electron scattering from aluminum have been measured at both forward and backward angles in the kinematic region near x=1 and 1.75<${\mathit{Q}}^2$<7 (GeV/c${)}^2$. The forward-angle data are in good agreement with a recent calculation. Both the data and the calculation show scaling behavior for ${\mathit{F}}_2$(ξ,${\mathit{Q}}^2$)=ν${\mathit{W}}_2$(ξ,${\mathit{Q}}^2$) at high ${\mathit{Q}}^2$ for fixed values of the Nachtmann variable ξ. The ratio R=${\mathrm{\sigma }}_{\mathit{L}}$/${\mathrm{\sigma }}_{\mathit{T}}$ has been extracted for 1.75<${\mathit{Q}}^2$<5 (GeV/c${)}^2$ and is found to decrease with ${\mathit{Q}}^2$ to a value consistent with zero at the highest ${\mathit{Q}}^2$.