Review of two-photon exchange in electron scattering

TL;DR

This review discusses the significance of two-photon exchange effects in electron-hadron scattering, their impact on form factor measurements, and experimental methods to identify these effects across various observables.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of TPE effects in electron scattering, including their influence on form factors and experimental detection techniques, especially in the low to moderate Q^2 range.

Findings

TPE affects the extraction of nucleon form factors.

Experimental methods can identify TPE effects through angular and cross section measurements.

TPE plays a role in parity-violating electron scattering and weak sector observables.

Abstract

We review the role of two-photon exchange (TPE) in electron-hadron scattering, focusing in particular on hadronic frameworks suitable for describing the low and moderate Q^2 region relevant to most experimental studies. We discuss the effects of TPE on the extraction of nucleon form factors and their role in the resolution of the proton electric to magnetic form factor ratio puzzle. The implications of TPE on various other observables, including neutron form factors, electroproduction of resonances and pions, and nuclear form factors, are summarized. Measurements seeking to directly identify TPE effects, such as through the angular dependence of polarization measurements, nonlinear epsilon contributions to the cross sections, and via e+ p to e- p cross section ratios, are also outlined. In the weak sector, we describe the role of TPE and gamma-Z interference in parity-violating electron scattering, and assess their impact on the extraction of the strange form factors of the nucleon and the weak charge of the proton.