arXiv subjects

Carl E. Carlson

Publications and source records attributed to Carl E. Carlson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Two-photon exchange correction to $2S$-$2P$ splitting in muonic helium-3 ions

We calculate the two-photon exchange correction to the Lamb shift in muonic helium-3 ions within the dispersion relations framework. Part of the effort entailed making analytic fits to the electron-$^3$He quasielastic scattering data set, for purposes of doing the dispersion integrals. Our result is that the energy of the 2$S$ state is shifted downwards by two-photon exchange effects by 15.14(49) meV, in good accord with the result obtained from a potential model and effective field theory calculation.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

High-Multipole Excitations of Hydrogen-Like Atoms by Twisted Photons near Phase Singularity

We calculate transition amplitudes and cross sections for excitation of hydrogen-like atoms by the twisted photon states, or photon states with angular momentum projection on the direction of propagation exceeding $\hbar$. If the target atom is located at distances of the order of atomic size near the phase singularity in the vortex center, the transitions rates into the states with orbital angular momentum $l_f>1$ become comparable with the rates for electric dipole transitions. It is shown that when the transition rates are normalized to the local photon flux, the resulting cross sections for $l_f>1$ are singular near the optical vortex center. Relation to the "quantum core" concept introduced by Berry and Dennis is discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Electron Beam Single-Spin Asymmetries in the Resonance Region with Final Hadrons Observed

We study beam-transverse and normal single-spin asymmetry for electron-proton inelastic scattering in the resonance region for the case where a pion is observed in the final state. There is no beam single-spin asymmetry if the observed particle has single-photon exchange as its only interaction, but this is naturally circumvented when one observes a strongly interacting final state particle. The asymmetries are not large as there is an electron mass divided by momentum transfer suppression. We present results for the cases where the final electron and a pion are both observed, with asymmetries of order tens of ppm, and where only a final pion is observed, with asymmetries of order one ppm.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Extending theories on muon-specific interactions

The proton radius puzzle, the discrepancy between the proton radius measured in muonic hydrogen and electronic hydrogen, has yet to be resolved. There are suggestions that beyond the standard model (BSM) physics could resolve both this puzzle and the muon anomalous magnetic moment discrepancy. Karshenboim et al. point out that simple, nonrenormalizable, models in this direction involving new vector bosons have serious problems when confronting high energy data. The prime example is radiative corrections to W to mu nu decay which exceed experimental bounds. We show how embedding the model in a larger and arguably renormalizable theory restores gauge invariance of the vector particle interactions and controls the high energy behavior of decay and scattering amplitudes. Thus BSM explanations of the proton radius puzzle can still be viable.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

The Proton Radius Puzzle

The proton size, specifically its charge radius, was thought known to about 1% accuracy. Now a new method probing the proton with muons instead of electrons finds a radius about 4% smaller, and to boot gives an uncertainty limit of about 0.1%. We review the different measurements, some of the calculations that underlie them, some of the suggestions that have been made to resolve the conflict, and give a brief overview new related experimental initiatives. At present, however, the resolution to the problem remains unknown.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Novel Properties of Twisted-Light Absorption

We discuss novel features of twisted-light absorption both by hydrogen-like atoms and by micro-particles. First, we extend the treatment of atomic photoexcitation by twisted photons to include atomic recoil, derive generalized quantum selection rules and consider phenomena of forbidden atomic transitions. Second, using the same electromagnetic potential for the twisted light beams, we analyze the radiation pressure from these beams on micro-sized particles, and verify that while the Poynting vector can in some circumstances point back toward the source, a complete analysis nonetheless gives a repulsive radiation pressure.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Nuclear structure contribution to the Lamb shift in muonic deuterium

We consider the two-photon exchange contribution to the $2P-2S$ Lamb shift in muonic deuterium in the framework of forward dispersion relations. The dispersion integrals are evaluated using experimental data on elastic deuteron form factors and inelastic electron-deuteron scattering, both in the quasielastic and hadronic range. The subtraction constant that is required to ensure convergence of the dispersion relation for the forward Compton amplitude $T_1(ν,Q^2)$ is related to the deuteron magnetic polarizability $β(Q^2)$. Based on phenomenological information, we obtain for the Lamb shift $ΔE_{2P-2S}=2.01\pm0.74$ meV. The main source of the uncertainty of the dispersion analysis is due to lack of quasielastic data at low energies and forward angles. We show that a targeted measurement of the deuteron electrodesintegration in the kinematics of upcoming experiments A1 and MESA at Mainz can help quenching this uncertainty significantly.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Constraints to new physics models for the proton charge radius puzzle from the decay $K^+ \rightarrow μ^+ +ν+ e^- + e^+$

A possible explanation for the discrepancy between electronic and muonic hydrogen measurements of the proton charge radius are new, lepton-universality violating interactions. Several new couplings and particles have been suggested that account for this discrepancy. At present, these explanations are poorly constrained. Experiments such as the upcoming kaon decay experiment at JPARC may constrain or eliminate some explanations by sensitivity to the decay channel $K^+ \rightarrow μ^+ +ν+ e^- + e^+$. We calculate the predicted contributions of the various explanations to this channel. The predicted signals, if present, should be large enough to be resolved in the experiment.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Off-axis excitation of hydrogenlike atoms by twisted photons

We show that the twisted photon states, or photon states with large ($> \hbar$) angular momentum projection ($m_γ$) in the direction of motion, can photoexcite atomic levels for a hydrogen-like atom that are novel and distinct and are not restricted by $m_γ$, when the symmetry axis of the twisted-photon beam does not coincide with the center of the atomic target. Selection rules are given and interesting implications and observables for the above process are pointed out.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Modification of electromagnetic structure functions for the $γZ$-box diagram

The $γZ$-box diagram for parity violating elastic $e$-$p$ scattering has recently undergone a thorough analysis by several research groups. Though all now agree on the analytic form of the diagram, the numerical results differ due to the treatment of the structure functions, $F_{1,2,3}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$. Currently, $F_{1,2,3}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ at low $Q^2$ and $W^2$ must be approximated through the modification of existing fits to electromagnetic structure function data. We motivate and describe the modification used to obtain $F_{1,2}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ in our previous work. We also describe an alternative modification and compare the result to our original calculation. Finally, we present a new modification procedure to acquire $F_3^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ in the resonance region and calculate the axial contribution to the $γZ$-box diagram. Details of these modifications will illuminate where discrepancies between the groups arise and where future improvements can be made.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Excitation of an Atom by Twisted Photons

Twisted photon states, or photon states with large ($> \hbar$) angular momentum projection in the direction of motion, can photoexcite atomic final states of differing quantum numbers. If the photon symmetry axis coincides with the center of an atom, there are known selection rules that require exact matching between the quantum numbers of the photon and the photoexcited states. The more general case of arbitrarily positioned beams relaxes the selection rules but produces a distribution of quantum numbers of the final atomic states that is novel and distinct from final states produced by plane-wave photons. Numerical calculations are presented using a hydrogen atom as an example.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Cottingham formula for the electromagnetic self-energy contribution to M_p - M_n

We provide an update of the determination of the electromagnetic self-energy contribution to M_p - M_n based upon Cottingham's Formula. A technical oversight in the literature is uncovered: the application of the Cottingham Formula requires the use of a subtracted dispersion integral; an argument to evade the subtraction function was presented; the argument was based on false assumptions about the scaling violations of the parton model, a point first mentioned by J. C. Collins. We elucidate this point and utilize low-energy effective theory to relate the unknown subtraction function to the nucleon isovector magnetic polarizability. This allows us to provide the first reliable determination of dM = 1.30(03)(47) MeV [1].

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

New Physics and the Proton Radius Problem

Background: The recent disagreement between the proton charge radius extracted from Lamb shift measurements of muonic and electronic hydrogen invites speculation that new physics may be to blame. Several proposals have been made for new particles that account for both the Lamb shift and the muon anomalous moment discrepancies. Purpose: We explore the possibility that new particles' couplings to the muon can be fine-tuned to account for all experimental constraints. Method: We consider two fine-tuned models, the first involving new particles with scalar and pseudoscalar couplings, and the second involving new particles with vector and axial couplings. The couplings are constrained by the Lamb shift and muon magnetic moments measurements while mass constraints are obtained by kaon decay rate data. Results: For the scalar-pseudoscalar model, masses between 100 to 200 MeV are not allowed. For the vector model, masses below about 200 MeV are not allowed. The strength of the couplings for both models approach that of electrodynamics for particle masses of about 2 GeV. Conclusions: New physics with fine tuned couplings may be entertained as a possible explanation for the Lamb shift discrepancy.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

The Electromagnetic Self-Energy Contribution to M_p - M_n and the Isovector Nucleon Magnetic Polarizability

We update the determination of the isovector nucleon electromagnetic self-energy, valid to leading order in QED. A technical oversight in the literature concerning the elastic contribution to Cottingham's formula is corrected and modern knowledge of the structure functions is used to precisely determine the inelastic contribution. We find δM_{p-n}^γ= 1.30(03)(47) MeV. The largest uncertainty arises from a subtraction term required in the dispersive analysis, which can be related to the isovector magnetic polarizability. With plausible model assumptions, we can combine our calculation with additional input from lattice QCD to constrain this polarizability as: β_{p-n} = -0.87(85) x 10^{-4} fm^3.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2012

Resonance Region Structure Functions and Parity Violating Deep Inelastic Scattering

The primary motive of parity violating deep inelastic scattering experiments has been to test the standard model, particularly the axial couplings to the quarks, in the scaling region. The measurements can also test for the validity of models for the off-diagonal structure functions $F_{1,2,3}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ in the resonance region. The off-diagonal structure functions are important for the accurate calculation of the $γZ$-box correction to the weak charge of the proton. Currently, with no data to determine $F_{1,2,3}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ directly, models are constructed by modifying existing fits to electromagnetic data. We present the asymmetry value for deuteron and proton target predicted by several different $F_{1,2,3}^{γZ}(x,Q^2)$ models, and demonstrate that there are notable disagreements.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Constraining off-shell effects using low-energy Compton scattering

Off-shell effects in proton electromagnetic vertices can be constrained from their effects on known processes. In particular, parameters in models for the off-shell effects can be determined by fitting to the proton electric and magnetic polarizabilities measured in low-energy Compton scattering. There has been recent speculation that off-shell effects contribute enough energy to the muonic hydrogen Lamb shift to explain the discrepancy between muonic and electronic measurements of the proton radius. We find that the constraints discussed here make the off-shell effects about two orders of magnitude smaller than needed for this purpose.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Higher order proton structure corrections to the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen

The recent conundrum with the proton charge radius inspires reconsideration of the corrections that enter into determinations of the proton size. We study the two-photon proton-structure corrections, with special consideration of the non-pole subtraction term in the dispersion relation, and using fits to modern data to evaluate the energy contributions. We find that individual contributions change more than the total, and present results with error estimates.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Proton structure corrections to hyperfine splitting in muonic hydrogen

We present the derivation of the formulas for the proton structure-dependent terms in the hyperfine splitting of muonic hydrogen. We use compatible conventions throughout the calculations to derive a consistent set of formulas that reconcile differences between our results and some specific terms in earlier work. Convention conversion corrections are explicitly presented, which reduce the calculated hyperfine splitting by about 46 ppm. We also note that using only modern fits to the proton elastic form factors gives a smaller than historical spread of Zemach radii and leads to a reduced uncertainty in the hyperfine splitting. Additionally, hyperfine splittings have an impact on the muonic hydrogen Lamb shift/proton radius measurement, however the correction we advocate has a small effect there.

physics.atom-ph↗