Q2 dependence of the S11(1535) photocoupling and evidence for a P-wave resonance in η electroproduction

New cross sections for the reaction ep → e'ηp are reported for total center-of-mass energy W = 1.5-2.3 GeV and invariant squared momentum transfer Q 2 = 0.13-3.3 GeV 2 . This large kinematic range allows the extraction of new information about response functions, photocouplings, and η)N coupling strengths of baryon resonances. A sharp structure is seen at W ∼ 1.7 GeV. The shape of the differential cross section is indicative of the presence of a P-wave resonance that persists to high Q 2 . Improved values are derived for the photocoupling amplitude for the S 11 (1535) resonance. The new data greatly expand the Q 2 range covered, and an interpretation of all data with a consistent parametrization is provided.