Avoiding common pitfalls and misconceptions in extractions of the proton radius

Abstract

In a series of recent publications, different authors produce a wide range of electron radii when reanalyzing electron proton scattering data. In the light of the proton radius puzzle, this is a most unfortunate situation. However, we find flaws in most analyses that result in radii around 0.84 fm. In this paper, we explain our reasoning and try to illustrate the most common pitfalls.

Comments: Preliminary version as discussion basis for the ECT* workshop on 'The proton radius puzzle', Trento 2016