Effective field theory for large logarithms in radiative corrections to electron proton scattering

Abstract

Radiative corrections to elastic electron-proton scattering are analyzed in effective field theory. A new factorization formula identifies all sources of large logarithms in the limit of large momentum transfer, $Q^2\gg m_e^2$. Explicit matching calculations are performed through two-loop order. A renormalization analysis in soft-collinear effective theory is performed to systematically compute and resum large logarithms. Implications for the extraction of charge radii and other observables from scattering data are discussed. The formalism may be applied to other lepton-nucleon scattering and $e^+e^-$ annihilation processes.