Possible Method for Measuring the Proton Form Factors in Processes with and without Proton Spin Flip

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to measure proton form factors by comparing cross sections with and without proton spin flip, offering a new way to resolve discrepancies in existing measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach to determine electric and magnetic proton form factors independently through polarized scattering processes.

Findings

Cross section ratios relate to form factor ratios.

Method applicable to various scattering and photoproduction processes.

Potential to clarify existing experimental contradictions.

Abstract

The ratio of the squares of the electric and magnetic proton form factors is shown to be proportional to the ratio of the cross sections for the elastic scattering of an unpolarized electron on a partially polarized proton with and without proton spin flip. The initial proton at rest should be polarized along the direction of the motion of the final proton. Similar results are valid for both radiative $ep$ scattering and the photoproduction of pairs on a proton in the Bethe--Heitler kinematics. When the initial proton is fully polarized in the direction of the motion of the final proton, the cross section for the $ep \to ep$ process, as well as for the $ep \to ep \gamma$ and $\gamma p \to e \bar e p$ processes, without (with) proton spin flip is expressed only in terms of the square of the electric (magnetic) proton form factor. Such an experiment on the measurement of the cross sections without and with proton spin flip would make it possible to acquire new independent data on the behavior of $G_E^2(Q^2)$ and $G_M^2(Q^2)$, which are necessary for resolving the contradictions appearing after the experiment of the JLab collaboration on the measurement of the proton form factors with the method of polarization transfer from the initial electron to the final proton.