Solution to the Proton Radius Problem

TL;DR

This paper proposes a frame-dependent approach to resolve the proton radius puzzle by relating measurements in different frames, predicting a proton radius consistent with recent electron scattering data.

Contribution

It introduces a method linking proton charge radius measurements in different frames to explain the discrepancy in radius values.

Findings

Predicted proton radius in the relativistic frame: 0.87944 fm

Rest frame charge radius from muonic-hydrogen data: 0.84087 fm

Frame dependence accounts for the radius discrepancy

Abstract

The relationship between the electric form factors for the proton in the rest frame and in the Breit momentum frame is used to provide a value for the difference in the mean squared charge radius of the proton evaluated in the two frames. Associating the muonic-hydrogen data analysis for the proton charge radius of 0.84087 fm with the rest frame and associating the electron scattering with the Breit frame yields a prediction 0f 0.87944 fm for the proton radius in the relativistic frame. The most recent value deduced via electron scattering from the proton is 0.877(6)fm so that the frame dependence used here yields a plausible solution to the proton radius puzzle.