Test of analyticity and unitarity for the pion form-factor data around the $\rho$ resonance

TL;DR

This paper tests the consistency of high-statistics pion form-factor data around the rho resonance with fundamental principles of analyticity and unitarity using a model-independent extrapolation method, revealing some dataset tensions.

Contribution

It applies a novel, parametrization-free analytic extrapolation technique as a rigorous, model-independent consistency check for experimental data around the rho resonance.

Findings

BABAR data are slightly higher than the extrapolation band below the rho peak.

All data are at the lower edge of the band above the rho peak.

Some datasets show tensions with the analyticity and unitarity constraints.

Abstract

High-statistics data on the $e^+e^-\to \pi^+\pi^-$ cross section and the pion vector form factor have been obtained recently by several collaborations. Unfortunately, there are some tensions between different datasets, especially the most precise ones, which have not been resolved so far. Additional independent constraints on the data are therefore of interest. We consider a parametrization-free method of analytic extrapolation proposed recently, which is based on a mixed phase and modulus extremal problem and combines rigorous upper and lower bounds with numerical simulations to account for the statistical distributions of the input and output values. Spacelike data on the form factor and measurements of the modulus in the region $(0.65-0.71)$ GeV are used as input. In previous works, the formalism was applied for extrapolating the form factor to low energies. In the present work, we use it as a stringent and model-independent test of consistency with analyticity and unitarity for the high-statistics data around the $\rho$ resonance. The study reveals some inconsistencies, in particular below the $\rho$ peak the BABAR data are slightly higher than the band of extrapolated values, while above the $\rho$ peak all the data are situated at the lower edge of the band. The implications of the results on the two-pion vacuuum polarization contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon are briefly discussed.