Deuteron electromagnetic form factors in the light-front dynamics

The deuteron form factors are calculated in the framework of the relativistic nucleon-meson dynamics, by means of the explicitly covariant light-front approach. The inflluence of the nucleon electromagnetic form factors is discussed. At Q² < 3 (GeV/c)² the prediction for the structure function A(Q²) and for the tensor polarization observable t₂₀ are in agreement with the recent data of CEBAF/TJNAF.     

Microscopic models for hadronic form factors and vertex functions

We review the status of nucleon (N) and few-nucleon form factors (f.f.'s) from the view-point of a gradual unfolding of successively inner degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) with increase inq ². To this end we focus attention on the problem of a microscopic formulation of hadronic vertex functions (v.f.) from the point of view of their key role in understanding the physics of a large variety of few-hadron reactions on the one hand, and their practical usefulness in articulating the internal dynamics of hadron and few-hadron systems on the other hand. The criterion of an integrated view from low-energy spectroscopy to high-q ² amplitudes is employed to emphasize the desirability of formulations in terms of relativistic dynamical equations based on Lorentz and gauge invariance in preference to phenomenological models, which often require additional assumptions beyond their original premises to extend their applicability domains. In this respect, the practical possibilities of the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) in articulating the necessary dynamical ingredients are emphasized on a two-tier basis, the basic constant (3) being pre-determined from the mass spectral data (1st stage) in preparation for the construction of the hadron-quark vertex functions (2nd stage). An explicit construction is outlined for meson-quark and baryon-quark vertex functions as well as of meson-nucleon vertex functions in a stepwise fashion. The role of the latter as basic parameter-free ingredients is discussed for possible use in the more serious treatments in the current literature of quark-meson level () and meson-isobar () d.o.f. in 2-N and 3-N form factor studies. Since most of these studies are characterized by the use of RGM techniques at the six-quark level, a comparative discussion is also given of several contemporary RGM based models. Finally, the concrete prospects for employing such hardon-quark vertex functions for evaluating pp annihilation amplitudes are briefly indicated, keeping in view the LEAR programme for their studies.     

Electro-magnetic nucleon form factors and their spectral functions in soliton models

It is demonstrated that in simple soliton models essential features of the electro-magnetic nucleon form factors observed over three orders of magnitude in momentum transfer t are naturally reproduced. The analysis shows that three basic ingredients are required: an extended object, partial coupling to vector mesons, and relativistic recoil corrections. We use for the extended object the standard skyrmion, one vector meson propagator for both isospin channels, and the relativistic boost to the Breit frame. Continuation to time-like t leads to quite stable results for the spectral functions in the regime from the 2- or 3-pion threshold to about two rho masses. Especially the onset of the continuous part of the spectral functions at threshold can be reliably determined and there are strong analogies to the results imposed on dispersion theoretic approaches by the unitarity constraint.     

Electro-magnetic nucleon form factors and their spectral functions in soliton models

It is demonstrated that in simple soliton models essential features of the electro-magnetic nucleon form factors observed over three orders of magnitude in momentum transfert are naturally reproduced. The analysis shows that three basic ingredients are required: an extended object, partial coupling to vector mesons, and relativistic recoil corrections. We use for the extended object the standard skyrmion, one vector meson propagator for both isospin channels, and the relativistic boost to the Breit frame. Continuation to time-liket leads to quite stable results for the spectral functions in the regime from the 2- or 3-pion threshold to about two rho masses. Especially the onset of the continuous part of the spectral functions at threshold can be reliably determined and there are strong analogies to the results imposed on dispersion theoretic approaches by the unitarity constraint.     

The nucleon axial form factor and the pion-nucleon vertex function

The nucleon axial current and related form factors are investigated in a model of relativistic quarks confined by a scalar potential of the formM(r)=c r ⁿ , with special emphasis on center-of-mass corrections and pionic effects. Pionic contributions to the axial form factorG _A (q ²) from af _π?_μφ term with constantf _π are demonstrated to vanish. The pion-nucleon form factorG _πNN (q ²) is derived and turns out to be longer ranged thanG _A (q ²). The induced pseudo-scalar form factorG _p (q ²) is shown to be connected toG _πNN (q ²) by the standard PCAC relation, contributions from the quark core toG _p (q ²) being negligibly small.     

Electron excitation of nucleon resonances: Structure functions and transition form factors

The electron excitation of nucleon resonances is discussed both from the theoretical and from the experimental point of view. This discussion is based on a phenomenological approach that employs the conservation of the electromagnetic and vector-meson hadronic currents and the requirements of limiting chiral invariance. For the electron excitation of J^π=1/2^±,3/2^±,5/2^±,... nucleon resonances, the structure functions are defined in terms of Sachs transition form factors. The resulting resonance structure functions for l+N → l+R processes are used in parametrizing smooth (background) structure functions for l+N → l+X inelastic scattering.     

Particle-field duality and form factors from vertex operators

Using a duality between the space of particles and the space of fields, we show how one can compute form factors directly in the space of fields. This introduces the notion of vertex operators, and form factors are vacuum expectation values of such vertex operators in the space of fields. The vertex operators can be constructed explicitly in radial quantization. Furthermore, these vertex operators can be exactly bosonized in momentum space. We develop these ideas by studying the free-fermion point of the sine-Gordon theory, and use this scheme to compute some form-factors of some non-free fields in the sine-Gordon theory. This work further clarifies earlier work of one of the authors, and extends it to include the periodic sector.     

Pions in the light-cone nucleon and electromagnetic form factors

The light-cone Fock-state decomposition of the nucleon involves pion-quark core (π′N′ andπ′Δ′) components. The size of the quark core is at present of special importance for the analysis of the onset of colour transparency in the A(e,e′p) reactions. With the light-coneNπ′N′ andNπ′Δ′ vertex functions deduced from experimental data on high-energy proton fragmentation into nucleons and isobars, we evaluate the effect of the pionic cloud on the electromagnetic form factors of nucleons. We find the quark core radius to be about 10% smaller than the nucleon's radius. Analysis of the renormalization of the total nucleon-nucleon cross section for the presence of the pionic cloud suggests a similar core radius.     

Green's functions for off-shell electromagnetism and spacelike correlations

The requirement of gauge invariance for the Schwinger-DeWitt equations, interpreted as a manifestly covariant quantum theory for the evolution of a system in spacetime, implies the existence of a five-dimensional pre-Maxwell field on the manifold of spacetime and proper time . The Maxwell theory is contained in this theory; integration of the field equations over restores the Maxwell equations with the usual interpretation of the sources. Following Schwinger's techniques, we study the Green's functions for the five-dimensional hyperbolic field equations for both signatures ± [corresponding to O(4, 1) or O(3, 2) symmetry of the field equations] of the proper time derivative. The classification of the Green's functions follows that of the four-dimensional theory for massive fields, for which the mass squared may be positive or negative, respectively. The Green's functions for the five-dimensional field are then given by the Fourier transform over the mass parameter. We derive the Green's functions corresponding to the principal part _P and the homogeneous function ₁ ; all of the Green's functions can be expressed in terms of these, as for the usual field equations with definite mass. In the O(3, 2) case, the principal part function has support for x²², corresponding to spacelike propagation, as well as along the light cone x²=0 (for =0). There can be no transmission ofinformation in spacelike directions, with this propagator, since the Maxwell field, obtained by integration over , does not contain this component of the support. Measurements are characterized by such an integration. The spacelike field therefore can dynamically establish spacelike correlations.     

Veneziano model for the ρ contribution to the nucleon form factors

The Igi-Veneziano model forπN scattering, combined with the experimental pion form factor is used to study theρ contribution to the isovector electromagnetic nucleon form factors.     

Extracting nucleon strange and anapole form factors from world data

The complete world set of parity-violating electron scattering data up to Q2 approximately 0.3 GeV2 is analyzed. We extract the current experimental determination of the strange electric and magnetic form factors of the proton, as well as the weak axial form factors of the proton and neutron, at Q2=0.1 GeV2. Within experimental uncertainties, we find that the strange form factors are consistent with zero, as are the anapole contributions to the axial form factors. Nevertheless, the correlation between the strange and anapole contributions suggest that there is only a small probability that these form factors all vanish simultaneously.     

Inclusive electron scattering by nuclei and free nucleon form factors

The effect of using different free nucleon electromagnetic form factors in theoretical calculations of (e, e′) longitudinal and transverse responses has been investigated, both in three-nucleon systems and in a complex nucleus. Large discrepancies have been found between the results corresponding to different models of nucleon form factors, mainly due to the uncertainty of the neutron form factors at high momentum transfer.     

The nucleon quark distribution amplitude and its influence on theQ 2-behaviour of nucleon form factors

In a re-analysis of nucleon form factors in perturbative quantum chromodynamics we examine the -dependence of the nucleon quark distribution amplitude by means of some model distribution amplitudes. We point out some problems that arise in the determination of the -evolution of the distribution amplitude. Our suggestions to cure these problems are discussed and resulting nucleon quark distribution amplitudes are presented. These give reasonable agreement with the available data for the form factors.Work is supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Ga 153-13-1) and partially by NATO (0581/87)     

Calculations of electromagnetic nucleon form factors and electroexcitation amplitudes of isobars

In this paper, we present numerical results for electroproduction amplitudes of proton resonances and electromagnetic nucleon form factors calculated in a relativized quark model. Interactions with both transversely and longitudinally polarized virtual photons were considered. Contributions of the different effects included in our approach have been analysed through a sample comparison with the available data. We also discuss the validity of the usual single-quark transition ansatz and possible parametrizations of the potential acting between the constituent quarks of the baryon. Impressive agreement is obtained with the nucleon form factor data up to squared momentum transfers of 2.5 GeV², but still some problems remain with the Δ(1232) and higher resonances.     

Baryon spectra and electroweak nucleon form factors in constituent quark models

We discuss the spectra of light and strange baryons as well as the electroweak structure of the nucleons as described by relativistic constituent quark models. Special attention is paid to the performance of different types of quark dynamics and to the role of relativistic effects. It is found that the concept of constituent quark models, set up in a covariant framework, represents a promising tool to deal with low-energy hadron phenomena.