Model independent extraction of the proton charge radius from electron scattering

Abstract

Constraints from analyticity are combined with experimental electron-proton scattering data to determine the proton charge radius. In contrast to previous determinations, we provide a systematic procedure for analyzing arbitrary data without model-dependent assumptions on the form factor shape. We also investigate the impact of including electron-neutron scattering data, and $\pi \pi \to N\bar{N}$ data. Using representative datasets we find r_E^p=0.870 +/- 0.023 +/- 0.012 fm using just proton scattering data; r_E^p=0.880^{+0.017}_{-0.020} +/- 0.007 fm adding neutron data; and r_E^p=0.871 +/- 0.009 +/- 0.002 +/- 0.002 fm adding $\pi \pi$ data. The analysis can be readily extended to other nucleon form factors and derived observables.

Comments: 17 pages, 4 figures. v2: references added, minor typos corrected, version to appear in PRD