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A. De Rújula

Publications and source records attributed to A. De Rújula.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

QED confronts the radius of the proton

Recent results on muonic hydrogen [1] and the ones compiled by CODATA on ordinary hydrogen and $ep$-scattering [2] are $5σ$ away from each other. Two reasons justify a further look at this subject: 1) One of the approximations used in [1] is not valid for muonic hydrogen. This amounts to a shift of the proton's radius by $\sim 3$ of the standard deviations of [1], in the "right" direction of data-reconciliation. In field-theory terms, the error is a mismatch of renormalization scales. Once corrected, the proton radius "runs", much as the QCD coupling "constant" does. 2) The result of [1] requires a choice of the "third Zemach moment". Its published independent determination is based on an analysis with a $p$-value --the probability of obtaining data with equal or lesser agreement with the adopted (fit form-factor) hypothesis-- of $3.92\times 10^{-12}$. In this sense, this quantity is not empirically known. Its value would regulate the level of "tension" between muonic- and ordinary-hydrogen results, currently {\it at most} $\sim 4σ$. There is no tension between the results of [1] and the proton radius determined with help of the analyticity of its form factors.

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QED is not endangered by the proton's size

Pohl et al. have reported a very precise measurement of the Lamb-shift in muonic Hydrogen, from which they infer the radius characterizing the proton's charge distribution. The result is 5 standard deviations away from the one of the CODATA compilation of physical constants. This has been interpreted as possibly requiring a 4.9 standard-deviation modification of the Rydberg constant, to a new value that would be precise to 3.3 parts in $10^{13}$, as well as putative evidence for physics beyond the standard model. I demonstrate that these options are unsubstantiated.

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Comment on "The third Zemach moment of the proton", by Cloet and Miller

Cloet and Miller, in arXiv:1008.4345, state that "existing data rule out a value of the third Zemach moment large enough to explain the current puzzle with the proton charge radius determined from the Lamb shift in muonic Hydrogen. This is in contrast with the recent claim of De Rújula [arXiv:1008.3861]". To be more precise: it is not. It is, however, contrary to what they claim that I claim. Cloet and Miller have simply misinterpreted my claims.

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What is the Cosmic-Ray luminosity of our Galaxy?

The total cosmic-ray luminosity of the Galaxy is an important constraint on models of cosmic-ray generation. The diffuse high energy $γ$-ray and radio-synchrotron emissions of the Milky Way are used to derive this luminosity. The result is almost two orders of magnitude larger than the standard estimate, based on the observed isotopic abundances of cosmic ray nuclides. We discuss the plausible interpretation of this discrepancy and the possible origin of such a relatively large luminosity.

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Is the diffuse gamma background radiation generated by galactic cosmic rays?

We explore the possibility that the diffuse gamma-ray background radiation (GBR) at high galactic latitudes could be dominated by inverse Compton scattering of cosmic ray (CR) electrons on the cosmic microwave background radiation and on starlight from our own galaxy. Assuming that the mechanisms accelerating galactic CR hadrons and electrons are the same, we derive simple and successful relations between the spectral indices of the GBR above a few MeV, and of the CR electrons and CR nuclei above a few GeV. We reproduce the observed intensity and angular dependence of the GBR, in directions away from the galactic disk and centre, without recourse to hypothetical extragalactic sources.

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Will relativistic heavy-ion colliders destroy our planet?

Experiments at the Brookhaven National Laboratory will study collisions between gold nuclei at unprecedented energies. The concern has been voiced that ``strangelets''-hypothetical products of these collisions - may trigger the destruction of our planet. We show how naturally occurring heavy-ion collisions can be used to derive a safe and stringent upper bound on the risk incurred in running these experiments.

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A common origin of all the species of high-energy cosmic rays?

Cosmic ray nuclei, cosmic ray electrons with energy above a few GeV, and the diffuse gamma-ray background radiation (GBR) above a few MeV, presumed to be extragalactic, could all have their origin or residence in our galaxy and its halo. The mechanism accelerating hadrons and electrons is the same, the electron spectrum is modulated by inverse Compton scattering on starlight and on the microwave background radiation; the $γ$-rays are the resulting recoiling photons. The spectral indices of the cosmic-ray electrons and of the GBR, calculated on this simple basis, agree with observations. The angular dependence and the approximate magnitude of the GBR are also explained.

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Neutrino Helioseismology

The observed deficit of $\rm ^8B$ solar neutrinos may call for an improved standard model of the sun or an expanded standard model of particle physics ({\it e.g.,} with neutrino masses and mixing). In the former case, contemporary fluid motions and thermal fluctuations in the sun's core may modify nuclear reaction rates and restore agreement. To test this notion, we propose a search for short--term variations of the solar neutrino flux.

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