A measurement of the inclusive cross section for the deep-inelastic scattering of positrons off protons at HERA is presented at momentum transfers $8.5 \leq Q~2 \leq 35 GeV~2$ and large inelasticity $y = 0.7$, i.e. for the Bjorken-x range $0.00013 \leq x \leq 0.00055$. Using a next-to-leading order QCD fit to the structure function F_2 at lower y values, the contribution of F_2 to the measured cross section at high y is calculated and, by subtraction, the longitudinal structure function F_{L} is determined for the first time with an average value of $F_L=0.52 \pm 0.03 (stat)$~ {+0.25}_{-0.22}$ (syst) at $Q~2=15.4 GeV~2$ and $x=0.000243$.
Inclusive cross section scaled by the kinematic factor K given by:. X*Q**4/((2*PI*ALPHA**2)*Y+). Y+=2(1-Y)+Y**2.
F2 values corresponding to the cross section measurements. X*Q**4/((2*PI*ALPHA**2)*Y+). Y+=2(1-Y)+Y**2.
Longitudinal structure function measurements.
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