Abstract
We present a novel method for extracting the proton radius from elastic electron-proton (ep) scattering data. The approach is based on interpolation via continued fractions augmented by statistical sampling and avoids any assumptions on the form of function used for the representation of data and subsequent extrapolation onto Q^{2}≃0. Applying the method to extant modern ep datasets, we find that all results are mutually consistent and, combining them, we arrive at r_{p}=0.847(8) fm. This result compares favorably with values obtained from contemporary measurements of the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen, transitions in electronic hydrogen, and muonic deuterium spectroscopy.
Highlights
Introduction.—The proton is nature’s most fundamental bound state
Proton structure is supposed to be described by quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the Standard Model quantum field theory intended to explain the character and interactions of the proton in terms of gluons and quarks [1]
The value of rp characterizes the size of the domain within which the current quarks in QCD’s Lagrangian may rigorously be considered to represent the relevant degrees of freedom. (A clearer notion of confinement may appear in a proof that quantum SUcð3Þ gauge field theory is mathematically well defined, i.e., a solution to the YangMills “Millennium Problem” [5].) it is not just
Summary
Zhu-Fang Cui ,1,2 Daniele Binosi ,3,* Craig D. The problem is that whilst the relative error on mp is ∼10−10, measurements of rp disagree amongst themselves by as much as eight standard deviations, 8σ, as illustrated, upper panel This conflict, which emerged following extraction of the proton radius from measurements of the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen (μH) [6], has come to be known as the “proton radius puzzle” [7,8]. Many solutions of this puzzle have been offered, e.g., some unknown QCD-related corrections may have been omitted in the muonic hydrogen analysis, and their inclusion might restore agreement with the electron-based experiments that give a larger value. PRad recently released its result [14]: rPpRad 1⁄4 0.831 Æ 0.007stat Æ 0.012syst 1⁄2fm: ð1Þ
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
