Journal Synopsis: The size of the proton

Original Paper: The size of protons, Randolf Pohl, Aldo Antogini… Nature
DOI.10.1038

Student: Ming Hao Teo (u4739405)

Proton, despite being one of the fundamental buildings blocks of our universe, is not well
understood. In-fact, it is not long ago that we considered proton as a spherical uniform charged
in volume, and determined the root-mean-square charge radius to the accuracy of 2% [5]. Our
poor knowledge on proton charge radius had limit our ability of theory crafting to improve the
accuracy of standard models we built and determination of varies fundamental physical
constants.

The answer for proton radius previously comes mainly from H atom spectroscopy and
electron scattering experiments utilizing the Lamb shift. Lamb shift is the associated small
energy differences between two energy levels, 2s and 2p orbitals. Back in 1947, Han Bethe
managed to explain the lamb shift in hydrogen spectrum, which then is developed on into the
foundation of quantum electrodynamics (QED) [1]. Lamb shift is known to provide a
measurement of the fine structure constant to better than one part in million, it is thus a fine
candidate for an accurate determination of proton radius .

With its unrivalled accuracy, Lamb shift measurements were considered as one of the
fundamental experiments in atomic spectroscopy for over four decades. The crystallize?
Determination of the previous value of to accuracy of 1 standard deviation. The previous
is based on lamb shift of atomic hydrogen spectroscopy or electro
scattering. However, as calculation to obtain the proton radius from lamb shift relies on
bound state Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), the parenthesis indicated some uncertainty
inherit within the determined constant.

A recent progress in muon beams and laser technology made the determination for a more
accurate more feasible. As we now have the means and access to create muonic hydrogen, an
atoms that is essentially composed of a negative muon orbiting a
proton.

Muonic hydrogen is created by driving negative muons into a low

density hydrogen chamber, where it is intercepted and formed muonic
hydrogen atoms. Large fractions of highly excited atoms simultaneously
de-excite to ground state after their creation, leaving relatively little
muonic hydrogen atoms in state 2s as they have longer lifetime. This is
depicted in the picture to the right and the chemical description below.

[ ]
Muon is an elementary particle similar to electron, yet heavier and has a short lifetime. In effect,
the mass of muon give rises a much smaller ground-state wave function. This leads to a smaller
Bohr radius for mounic hydrogen and thus finer lamb shift, than that is observed for hydrogen
atom [4].

This implies that the relative contribution of proton charge to Lamb shift is as much as 2%,
two orders of magnitude more than normal hydrogen. Consequently, the determination of
proton’s charge radius from muonic hydrogen can be much more accurate.

The goal is, as it is for four decades, measure the transition of Lamb shift between 2s orbitals to
2p orbitals. In the experiment described on paper, the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen was
measured by driving the muon from its state using laser. The small probability of
transiting muonic hydrogen from , coupled with the short lifetime excited muonic
hydrogen created significant difficulties for the measurement.

As depicted in the picture to the left, the transition of is done via

subjecting the Muonic Hydrogen in 2s orbitals to laser. Immediately,
transition de-excitation via emission of X-ray that corresponds to
the discrete energy values in between. From which, the wavelength of light
that corresponds to the transition of , Lamb shift, can be identify
within the light spectrum. From the shift acquired, proton radius ( value
that is ten times more precise than previous value, is
gotten.

The new proton radius allows more accurate determination of another physical constant,
Rydberg constant [3]. The improved accuracy of proton radius also extends the test of
bound-state quantum electrodynamics (QED) theories to a larger scale [2].

Interestingly, what initial intended as a precise determination of proton charge radius also
indicated that there is a discrepancy of reality with standard models. The discrepancy even
boosted some interest of science community into examining the existence of dark photons [6].
In a sense, the proton charge radius offered not only a number and knowledge to crunch
with, but also remarkable insights into reality which we live.

References

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_shift

[2] https://muhy.web.psi.ch/wiki/

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rydberg_constant

[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muon

[5] http://www.lkb.ens.fr/Spectroscopy-of-muonic-hydrogen?lang=fr

[6] http://resonaances.blogspot.com/2010/07/muonic-hydrogen-and-dark-forces.html