Lorentz contraction effects in the electromagnetic form factors of relativistic two-body bound systems

Relativistic effects in the electromagnetic form factors of a two-body bound system are discussed by examining specific examples in detail. The wave function for the two-body bound system is calculated from the Bethe-Salpeter equation and inserted into form factor expressions for scalar and vector photons. Even in the Breit frame, the charge density is distorted due to relativistic effects. The resulting form factor is compared to a static form factor which is calculated by not allowing the relativistic distortion in the charge density to occur. At low momentum transfers, relativistic distortion causes the initial slope of the form factor, plotted as a function of q2, to be greater in magnitude than the static case. This gives the system an apparent mean square radius that is larger than the actual mean square radius. At large momentum transfers the relativistic and static form factors appear to have the same functional form but differ in magnitude by a constant factor. The scalar photon form factor was three times greater and the vector photon form factor five times greater than the static form factors for the particular model that was considered.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Mather, Lauren Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ravenhall, D.G.

• lorentz contraction
• electromagnetic form factors
• relativistic two-body bound systems
• wave function

Statement dc:rights

• 1969 Lauren Richard Mather

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

6069770

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/25782