Likelihood of a zero in the proton elastic electric form factor

Abstract

Working with the 29 available data on the ratio of proton electric and magnetic form factors, 𝜇𝑝𝐺𝑝𝐸(𝑄2)/𝐺𝑝𝑀(𝑄2), and independent of any model or theory of strong interactions, we use the Schlessinger point method to objectively address the question of whether the ratio possesses a zero and, if so, its location. Our analysis predicts that, with 50% cofidence, the data are consistent with the existence of a zero in the ratio on 𝑄2 ≤ 10.37 GeV2. The level of cofidence increases to 99.9% on 𝑄2 ≤ 13.06 GeV2. Significantly, the likelihood that existing data are consistent with the absence of a zero in the ratio on 𝑄2 ≤ 14.49 eV2 is 1∕1-million.