Dispersion-theoretical analysis of the nucleon electromagnetic form factors: Inclusion of time-like data

Abstract

We update a recent dispersion--theoretical fit to the nucleon electromagnetic form factors by including the existing data in the time--like region. We show that while the time--like data for the proton can be described consistently with the existing world space--like data, this is not the case for the neutron. Another measurement of the process $e^{+}{e}^{-}\to \bar{n}n$ is called for. We furthermore sharpen the previous estimate of the separation between the perturbative and the non--perturbative regime, which is characterized by a scale parameter ${\Lambda }^2\simeq 10$GeV${}^2$.

Comments: 7 pp, LaTeX, uses epsf, 2 figures in separate file, four data points changed, slight changes in the fits, conclusions unchanged