Search for the Onset of Color Transparency in Protons

Color transparency (CT) is a unique prediction of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) where the final (and/or initial) state interactions of hadrons with the nuclear medium are suppressed for exclusive processes at high momentum transfers. \\[-0.3mm] \linebreak During the spring of 2018, the experiment E1206107 dedicated to measure the Proton Transparency was the first to run in Hall C at Jefferson Lab using the upgraded 12 GeV electron beam. Our experiment used the High Momentum Spectrometer (HMS) and the new Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) in coincidence, to measure the proton knockout from the $^{12}$C(e,e$^{'}$p) reaction to extract the proton nuclear transparency over the Q$^2\,=\,8\,-\,14.3$ (GeV/c)$^2$ range. Additional $^1$H(e,e$^{'}$p) measurements, in the same range, were used to determine the elementary process.} A rise in the proton transparency as a function of Q$^2$ is predicted to be a signature of the onset of CT. \linebreak This talk will summarize the status of the experiment analysis and some preliminary results.