Marc Vanderhaeghen

Nucleon form factors from generalized parton distributions

We discuss the links between Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and elastic nucleon form factors. These links, in the form of sum rules, represent powerful constraints on parametrizations of GPDs. A Regge parametrization for GPDs at small momentum transfer, is extended to the large momentum transfer region and it is found to describe the basic features of proton and neutron electromagnetic form factor data. This parametrization is used to estimate the quark contribution to the nucleon spin.

Electromagnetic excitation of the Δ (1232)-resonance

We review the description of the lowest-energy nucleon excitation--the Delta(1232)-resonance. Much of the recent effort has been focused on the precision measurements of the nucleon to Delta transition by means of electromagnetic probes. We review the results of those measurements and confront them with the state-of-the-art calculations based on chiral effective-field theories (EFT), lattice QCD, and QCD-inspired models. Some of the theoretical approaches are reviewed in detail. In particular, we describe the chiral EFT of QCD in the energy domain of the Delta-resonance, and its applications to the electromagnetic nucleon-to-Delta transition (gamma N Delta). We also describe the recent dynamical and unitary-isobar models of pion electroproduction which are extensively used in the extraction of the gamma* N Delta form factors from experiment. Furthermore, we discuss the link of the gamma* N Delta form factors to generalized parton distributions (GPDs), as well as the predictions of perturbative QCD for these transition form factors. The present status of understanding the Delta-resonance properties and the nature of its excitation is summarized.

Partonic calculation of the two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering at large momentum transfer

We estimate the two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering at large momentum transfer through the scattering off a parton in the proton. We relate the two-photon exchange amplitude to the generalized parton distributions which appear in hard exclusive processes. We find that when taking the polarization transfer determinations of the form factors as input, adding in the 2-photon correction does reproduce the Rosenbluth cross sections.

Two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-nucleonscattering at large momentum transfer

We estimate the two-photon exchange contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering at large momentum transfer by using a quark-parton representation of virtual Compton scattering. We thus can relate the two-photon exchange amplitude to the generalized parton distributions which also enter in other wide angle scattering processes. We find that the interference of one- and two-photon exchange contribution is able to substantially resolve the difference between electric form factor measurements from Rosenbluth and polarization transfer experiments. Two-photon exchange has additional consequences which could be experimentally observed, including nonzero polarization effects and a positron-proton/electron-proton scattering asymmetry. The predicted Rosenbluth plot is no longer precisely linear; it acquires a measurable curvature, particularly at large laboratory angle.

Virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon

Abstract We review the recent developments of virtual Compton scattering. We focus on the kinematical regimes which look the most promising. The threshold regime gives access to the generalized polarizabilities of the proton. The hard scattering regime allows tests of perturbative QCD predictions and of the valence quark wave function. The Bjorken regime is closely related to deep inelastic scattering. It gives access to the off-forward parton distributions which generalize the ordinary parton distributions and may shed a new light on the spin problem. For each regime we discuss the experimental perspectives and the role of the Bethe-Heitler background.

A Reggeized model for eta and eta-prime photoproduction

A reggeized model for eta and eta photoproduction on the nucleon is presented. In this model, t-channel vector meson exchanges are described in terms of Regge trajectories to comply with the correct high energy behavior. We compare this reggeized model with an isobar model (eta-MAID), where the t-channel exchanges are described by rho and omega poles. Both models contain the same resonance contributions, and describe current gamma p to eta p data up to E_gamma^{lab} = 2 GeV quite well, but only the reggeized model can be successfully extended to higher energies. For the gamma p to eta p reaction, the reggeized model is found to be able to give a satisfactory description. For the differential cross section data from SAPHIR, we find that the observed linear forward rise in cos(theta) near E_gamma^{lab} = 1.6 GeV can be well described by the interference of an S11 resonance and the Regge trajectory exchanges without any need for an additional P-wave resonance.

Two-Photon Physics in Hadronic Processes

Two-photon exchange contributions to elastic electron scattering are reviewed. The apparent discrepancy between unpolarized Rosenbluth and polarization transfer experiments in the extraction of elastic nucleon form factors is discussed, as well as the understanding of this puzzle in terms of two-photon exchange corrections. Calculations of such corrections within both partonic and hadronic frameworks are reviewed. In view of recent spin-dependent electron scattering data, the relation of the two-photon exchange process to the hyperfine splitting in hydrogen is critically examined. The imaginary part of the two-photon exchange amplitude as can be accessed from the beam-normal spin asymmetry in elastic electron-nucleon scattering is reviewed. Further extensions and open issues in this field are outlined.

Electromagnetic Nucleon-to-Delta Transition in Chiral Effective-Field Theory

We perform a relativistic chiral effective-field theory calculation of pion electroproduction off the nucleon (e- N --> e- N(pi)) in the delta(1232)-resonance region. After fixing the three low-energy constants, corresponding to the magnetic (M1), electric (E2), and Coulomb (C2) gammaNdelta couplings, our calculation provides a prediction for the momentum transfer and pion-mass dependence of the gammaNdelta form factors. The prediction for the pion-mass dependence resolves the discrepancy between the recent lattice QCD results and the experimental value for the C2/M1 ratio at low Q2.

Chiral Effective-Field Theory in the

We develop an extension of chiral perturbation theory to the

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