Zemach and magnetic radius of the proton from the hyperfine splitting in hydrogen

Abstract

The current status of the determination of corrections to the hyperfine splitting of the ground state in hydrogen is considered. Improved calculations are provided taking into account the most recent value for the proton charge radius. Comparing experimental data with predictions for the hyperfine splitting, the Zemach radius of the proton is deduced to be $1.045(16)$ fm. Employing exponential parametrizations for the electromagnetic form factors we determine the magnetic radius of the proton to be $0.778(29)$ fm. Both values are compared with the corresponding ones derived from the data obtained in electron-proton scattering experiments and the data extracted from a rescaled difference between the hyperfine splittings in hydrogen and muonium.