Opportunities and problems in determining proton and light nuclear radii

We briefly review the so-called ‘proton puzzle’, i.e., the disagreement of the newly extracted value of the proton charge radius r _p from muonic hydrogen spectroscopy with other extractions, its possible significance and related problems. After describing the conventional theory to extract the proton radius from atomic spectroscopy we focus on a novel consistent approach based on the Breit equation. With this new tool, we confirm that the radius has indeed become smaller compared to the value extracted from scattering experiments, but the existence of different theoretical approaches casts some doubt on the accuracy of the new value. Precision measurements in atomic physics do provide the opportunity to extract light nuclear radii but the accuracy is limited by the methods of incorporating the nuclear structure effects.     

Long-range Coulomb forces in DIS: missed radiative corrections?

The Born approximation, one photon exchange, used for DIS (deep inelastic scattering) is subject to virtual radiative corrections which are related to the long-range Coulomb forces. They may be sizeable for heavy nuclei since Zα is not a small parameter. So far, these corrections are known only for two processes, elastic scattering and bremsstrahlung on the Coulomb field of a point-like target. While the former amplitude acquires only a phase, in the latter case also the cross-section is modified. Although the problem of Coulomb corrections for DIS on nuclei is extremely difficult, it should be challenged rather than “swept under the carpet”. The importance of these radiative corrections is questioned in the present paper. We show that, in the simplest case of a constant hadronic current, the Coulomb corrections provide a phase to the Born amplitude, therefore the cross-section remains the same. Inclusion of more realistic hadronic dynamics changes this conclusion. The example of coherent production of vector mesons off nuclei reveals large effects. So far a little progress has been made deriving lepton wave functions in the Coulomb field of an extended target. Employing available results based on the first-order approximation in Zα, we conclude that the Coulomb corrections are still important for heavy nuclei. We also consider an alternative approach for extended nuclear targets, the eikonal approximation, which we demonstrate to reproduce the known exact results for Coulomb corrections. Calculating electroproduction of vector mesons, we again arrive at a large deviation from the Born approximation. We conclude that one should accept with caution the experimental results for nuclear effects in DIS based on analyses done in the Born approximation. Received: 16 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 July 2001     

应用光核反应计算μ原子中的核极化效应

近年来,瑞士保罗谢勒研究所的CREMA合作组通过测量$\mu$氢原子兰姆位移显著提升了质子半径的测量精确度。然而这一新实验结果与已知质子半径标准值(CODATA)相差5.6个标准差,被称为质子半径之谜,受到众多物理学家的关注。受此启发,CREMA合作组在不同的$\mu$原子中展开了一系列兰姆位移光谱的测量实验。他们计划从这些$\mu$原子的测量中得到轻核(包括$^{2,3}{\rm{H}}$,$^{3,4}{\rm{He}}$)的电荷半径。除了对光谱测量精度的要求外,轻核半径的实验精度当前仍被一项理论输入量限制:核极化效应对$\mu$原子光谱的修正。核极化效应体现了$\mu$子与原子核进行双光子交换中对核的虚激发,进而对$\mu$原子能谱产生高阶修正。因此,这一效应与光核反应以及康普顿散射直接相关。核极化效应对兰姆位移的修正可通过计算光核吸收截面以及虚光子康普顿振幅的求和规则而得到。本工作运用第一性原理的核结构计算方法,研究了$\mu$原子中的核极化效应。通过结合现代核力模型与超球简谐基展开多体方法,计算了一系列与核极化相关的光核反应及康普顿散射求和规则。这一理论研究为从$\mu$原子光谱测量中对核半径的精确提取提供了关键性的理论输入。     

The pion–nucleon scattering lengths from pionic hydrogen and deuterium

This is the final publication of the ETH Zurich–Neuchatel–PSI collaboration on the pionic hydrogen and deuterium precision X-ray experiments. We describe the recent hydrogen 3p–1s measurement, report on the determination of the Doppler effect correction to the transition line width, analyze the deuterium shift measurement and discuss implications of the combined hydrogen and deuterium results. From the pionic hydrogen 3p–1s transition experiments we obtain the strong-interaction energy level shift eV and the total decay width eV of the state. Taking into account the electromagnetic corrections we find the hadronic s-wave scattering amplitude for elastic scattering and for single charge exchange, respectively. We then combine the pionic hydrogen results with the 1s level shift measurement on pionic deuterium and test isospin symmetry of the strong interaction: our data are still compatible with isospin symmetry. The isoscalar and isovector scattering lengths (within the framework of isospin symmetry) are found to be and , respectively. Using the GMO sum rule, we obtain from a new value of the coupling constant () from which follows the Goldberger–Treiman discrepancy . The new values of and imply an increase of the nucleon sigma term by at least 9 MeV. Received: 20 April 2001 / Revised version: 6 July 2001 / Published online: 24 August 2001     

Laser spectroscopy of the bismuth isotopes

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structures of the bismuth isotope chain have been studied on the 306.7 nm line in off-line measurements using gas cell laser spectroscopy and atomic beam spectroscopy. The changes in nuclear mean square charge radii and the nuclear magnetic and spectroscopic quadrupole moments have been deduced. The neutron-rich isotopes are the first isotones of Pb to be measured immediately above the N=126 shell closure. A remarkable correspondence between the nuclear charge radii of the Bi and Pb isotope chains is demonstrated by a King Plot analysis. The relationship between nuclear shapes and the charge radii can be understood in the framework of the spherical shell model using few-nucleon configurations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Violation of the factorization theorem in large angle radiative Bhabha scattering

The lowest order QED radiative corrections to the radiative large angle Bhabha scattering process in the region where all kinematic invariants are large compared to the electron mass are considered. We show that the leading logarithmic corrections do not factorize before the Born cross section, contrary to the picture assumed in the renormalization group approach. The leading and non leading contributions for typical kinematics of the hard process at the energy of the Φ factory are estimated. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 392–403 (February 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.     

Nuclear charge radius of 11Li

We have determined the nuclear charge radius of ¹¹Li by high-precision laser spectroscopy. The experiment was performed at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility where the ⁷Li-¹¹Li isotope shift (IS) was measured in the 2s→3s electronic transition using Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy with a relative accuracy better than 10⁻⁵. The accuracy for the IS of the other lithium isotopes was also improved. IS’s are mainly caused by differences in nuclear mass, but changes in proton distribution also give small contributions. Comparing experimentally measured IS with advanced atomic calculation of purely mass-based shifts, including QED and relativistic effects, allows derivation of the nuclear charge radii. The radii are found to decrease monotonically from ⁶Li to ⁹Li, and then increase with ¹¹Li about 11% larger than ⁹Li. These results are a benchmark for the open question as to whether nuclear core excitation by halo neutrons is necessary to explain the large nuclear matter radius of ¹¹Li; thus, the results are compared with a number of nuclear structure models.     

Extended analysis of the Ar VII spectrum in the vacuum ultraviolet region

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.     

Some {\rm O}(\alpha^2) annihilation type contributions to the orthopositronium width

We consider some radiative corrections to the lowest order annihilation diagram for the orthopositronium decay rate. The insertion of the renormalized vertex correction in the annihilation graph gives . We compute also the contribution of the square of the lowest order annihilation amplitude, which turns out to be . Finally, we obtain a term arising from the correction to the light–light scattering block due to the exchange of one coulombic photon, in agreement with earlier computations. Received: 10 December 1997 / Published online: 24 March 1998     

Pion electroproduction in parity violating elastic ep scattering experiment

This study has been developed for electron-proton scattering experiments when only the scattered electrons are detected. Pion electroproduction on the proton including the cascade π⁰→ 2γ decay and the QED radiative corrections to elastic ep scattering are investigated. Our results are shown in the kinematical configuration of the parity violating electron scattering experiment planned at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). Received: 20 April 1999 / Revised version: 4 June 1999     

Parity violation in elastic electron-proton scattering and the Proton's strange magnetic form factor

We report a new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron scattering from the proton at backward scattering angles. This asymmetry is sensitive to the strange magnetic form factor of the proton as well as electroweak axial radiative corrections. The new measurement of A = -4.92+/-0.61+/-0.73 ppm provides a significant constraint on these quantities. The implications for the strange magnetic form factor are discussed in the context of theoretical estimates for the axial corrections.     

Higher order leading logarithmic QED corrections to deep inelasticep scattering at very high energies

Higher order electromagnetic radiative corrections to neutral current deep inelastic electron proton scattering are studied in collinear approximation. Second order corrections show qualitatively new features compared to the first order ones and are non-negligible for largey and smallx. We also show how kinematical cuts on the recoil quark jet, in particular the jet angle, will allow a strong reduction of the contribution from radiative events for smallx and largey.     

关于原子核电荷半径的研究

结合原子核电荷半径实验数据, 对885个中子数N≥8和质子数Z≥8的核电荷半径做了系统的研究. 对于单参数核电荷半径公式, Z^1/3律公式计算的结果优于A^1/3律的结果, 而对于两参数和三参数公式, Z^1/3律和A^1/3律的结果基本相当. 考虑到壳效应及奇偶摆动现象, 在原有的三参数公式基础上提出了加入Casten因子项和δ项的核电荷半径新公式. 利用该公式计算得到的核电荷半径理论值和实验值符合得非常好, 均方根偏差仅为σ=0.0266 fm, 此值比常用的三参数公式的结果下降了近50%, 理论计算值能更好地反映出壳效应及核电荷半径奇偶摆动的变化趋势.     

On radiative corrections for unpolarized electron-proton elastic scattering

A statistical analysis of the elastic unpolarized electron-proton scattering data shows that at large momentum transfer the size and the ε dependence of the radiative corrections, as traditionally calculated and applied, may induce large correlations of the parameters of the Rosenbluth fit, which prevent a correct extraction of the electric proton form factor. Using the electron QED structure (radiation) function approach, the cross section of elastic electron-proton scattering in leading and next-to-leading approximations is calculated and expressed as a correction to the Born cross section, which is different for the electric and magnetic contributions. When properly applied to the data, it may yield the solution to the problem of the discrepancy of the polarized and unpolarized results on electron-proton scattering. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Charge and mass radii of the tin isotopes

Data on the isotope shift of the nuclear charge densities of the tin isotopes and of their mean square charge radii are considered from the viewpoint of the Hartree-Fock and Droplet Models. Attention is paid to the electromagnetic corrections of order 1/m². Through a leptodermous analysis of charge and matter densities we find: (i) differences of m.s. charge radii are mainly sensitive to the external region, (ii) the electromagnetic corrections are important in that region, (iii) despite different leptodermous properties, forces Ska and GO-P lead to the same neutron skin thickness. The average rate of variation of the proton m.s. radius is interpreted as favouring either a low valueQ≈30 MeV for the droplet model asymmetry parameter, or a zero value for the saturation asymmetry parameterL.     

Charge Radii of Argon Isotopes in the f7/2 Shell and Radii Systematics in the Ca-Region

Changes in mean square (ms) nuclear charge radii of Ar isotopes across the 1f_7/2 shell are studied by fast-beam collinear laser spectroscopy using an ultra-sensitive detection method based on optical pumping and state-selective collisional ionization. The new data set on Ar, in combination with the known charge radii of K, Ca and Ti in the ν1f_7/2 shell, offers an opportunity to obtain a more complete overview of nuclear radii trends around the proton shell closure Z = 20 and between the neutron shell closures N = 20 and N = 28.     

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structure in the transitions of gadolinium

High-resolution resonance ionization mass spectrometry has been used to measure isotope shifts and hyperfine structure in all (J = 2-6) and the transitions of gadolinium (Gd I). Gadolinium atoms in an atomic beam were excited with a tunable single-frequency laser in the wavelength range of 422-429 nm. Resonant excitation was followed by photoionization with the 363.8 nm line of an argon ion laser and resulting ions were mass separated and detected with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Isotope shifts for all stable gadolinium isotopes in these transitions have been measured for the first time. Additionally, the hyperfine structure constants of the upper states have been derived for the isotopes ^{155, 157} Gd and are compared with previous work. Using prior experimental values for the mean nuclear charge radii, derived from the combination of muonic atoms and electron scattering data, field shift and specific mass shift coefficients for the investigated transitions have been determined and nuclear charge parameters for the minor isotopes ^{152, 154} Gd have been calculated. Received 18 November 1999     

Atom as a “dressed” nucleus

We show that the electrostatic potential of an atomic nucleus “seen” by a fast charged projectile at short distances is quantum mechanically smeared due to nucleus motion around the atomic center of inertia. For example, the size of the “positive charge cloud” in the Hydrogen ground state is much larger than the proper proton size. For target atoms in excited initial states, the effect is even larger. The elastic scattering at large angles is generally weaker than the Rutherford scattering since the effective potential at short distances is softer than the Colombian one due to a natural “cutoff”. In addition, the large-angle scattering leads to target atom excitations due to pushing the nucleus (⇒ inelastic processes). The Rutherford cross section is in fact inclusive rather than elastic. These results are analogous to those from QED. Non-relativistic atomic calculations are presented. The difference and the value of these calculations arise from nonperturbatively (exact) nucleus “dressing” that immediately leads to correct physical results and to significant technical simplifications. In these respects a nucleus bound in an atom is a simple but rather realistic model of a “dressed” charge in the QFT. This idea is briefly demonstrated on a real electron model (electronium) which is free from infinities.      

Coulomb corrections for coherent electroproduction of vector mesons: Eikonal approximation

Virtual radiative corrections due to the long-range Coulomb forces of heavy nuclei with charge Z may lead to sizeable corrections to the Born cross-section usually used for lepton-nucleus scattering processes. An introduction and presentation of the most important issues of the eikonal approximation is given. We present calculations for forward electroproduction of rho-mesons in a framework suggested by the VDM (vector dominance model), using the eikonal approximation. It turns out that Coulomb corrections may become relatively large. Some minor errors in the literature are corrected.Received: 3 October 2003, Revised: 2 December 2003, Published online: 6 July 2004PACS: 25.30.-c Lepton-induced reactions - 25.30.Rw Electroproduction reactions - 13.40.-f Electromagnetic processes and properties - 25.30.Bf Elastic electron scattering