A Measurement of the Proton Elastic Form Factors for 1 ≤ Q² ≤ 3 (GeV/c)²

Author: Walker, Robert Christian David

Year: 1989

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Filippone, Bradley W.

Committee Members: Filippone, Bradley W.; Barish, Barry C.; Frautschi, Steven C.; Prince, Thomas A.

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/1j3p-xf48

Abstract

We report measurements of the proton form factors, GᵖE and GᵖM, extracted from elastic electron scattering in the range 1 ≤ Q² ≤ 3 (GeV/c)² with uncertainties of < 15% in GᵖE and < 3% in GᵖM. The results for GᵖE are somewhat larger than indicated by most theoretical parameterizations. The ratio of Pauli and Dirac form factors, Q²(Fᵖ₂/Fᵖ₁), is lower in value and demonstrates less Q² dependence than these parameterizations have indicated. Comparisons are made to theoretical models, including those based on perturbative QCD, vector-meson dominance, QCD sum rules, and diquark constituents to the proton. A global extraction of the form factors, including previous elastic scattering measurements, is also presented.

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