Low-energy and low-momentum representation of the virtual Compton scattering amplitude

We perform an expansion of the virtual Compton scattering amplitude for low energies and low momenta and show that this expansion covers the transition from the regime to be investigated in the scheduled photon electroproduction experiments to the real Compton scattering regime. We discuss the relation of the generalized polarizabilities of virtual Compton scattering to the polarizabilities of real Compton scattering.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX2e/RevTeX, no figure

Virtual versus Real Nuclear Compton Scattering in the Delta(1232) Region

In this paper we calculate the cross section for Virtual Compton Scattering off nuclei in the delta resonance region. We also calculate the background for the process from Coherent Bremsstrahlung in nuclei and explore the regions where the Virtual Compton Scattering cross section dominates. The study also shows that it is possible to extract the cross section for Real Compton Scattering from the Virtual Compton one in a wide range of scattering angles.Comment: latex , 11 pages, ps.gz file, 16 figure

Effect of Compton Scattering on the Electron Beam Dynamics at the ATF Damping Ring

Compton scattering provides one of the most promising scheme to obtain polarized positrons for the next generation of $e^-$ -- $e^+$ colliders. Moreover it is an attractive method to produce monochromatic high energy polarized gammas for nuclear applications and X-rays for compact light sources. In this framework a four-mirror Fabry-P\'erot cavity has been installed at the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF - KEK, Tsukuba, Japan) and is used to produce an intense flux of polarized gamma rays by Compton scattering \cite{ipac-mightylaser}. For electrons at the ATF energy (1.28 GeV) Compton scattering may result in a shorter lifetime due to the limited bucket acceptance. We have implemented the effect of Compton scattering on a 2D tracking code with a Monte-Carlo method. This code has been used to study the longitudinal dynamics of the electron beam at the ATF damping ring, in particular the evolution of the energy spread and the bunch length under Compton scattering. The results obtained are presented and discussed. Possible methods to observe the effect of Compton scattering on the ATF beam are proposed

Dispersion Theory in Electromagnetic Interactions

We review various applications of dispersion relations (DRs) to the electromagnetic structure of hadrons. We discuss the way DRs allow one to extract information on hadron structure constants by connecting information from complementary scattering processes. We consider the real and virtual Compton scattering processes off the proton, and summarize recent advances in the DR analysis of experimental data to extract the proton polarizabilities, in comparison with alternative studies based on chiral effective field theories. We discuss a multipole analysis of real Compton scattering data, along with a DR fit of the energy-dependent dynamical polarizabilities. Furthermore, we review new sum rules for the double-virtual Compton scattering process off the proton, which allow for model independent relations between polarizabilities in real and virtual Compton scattering, and moments of nucleon structure functions. The information on the double-virtual Compton scattering is used to predict and constrain the polarizability corrections to muonic hydrogen spectroscopy.Comment: preprint version of a review to appear in Ann. Rev. Nucl. Part. Sci. 68 (2018

Factorization of gravitational Compton scattering amplitude in the linearized version of general relativity

Gravitational Compton scattering process with a massive fermion is studied in the context of the linearized gravity. Gravitational gauge invariance and graviton transversality cause the transition amplitude to be factorized into that of scalar QED Compton scattering and that of fermion QED Compton scattering with an overall kinematical factor. The factorization is shown explicitly and its physical implications are discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure(not included), Revtex 3.0, SNUTP 93-2

Virtual Compton scattering off nuclei in the Δ\Delta-resonance region

Virtual Compton scattering in the $\Delta$-resonance region is considered in the case of a target nucleus. The discussion involves generalized polarizabilities and is developed for zero-spin nuclei, focusing on the new information coming from virtual Compton scattering in comparison with real Compton scattering.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, 3 figures available from the author

The total virtual photoabsorption cross section, deeply virtual Compton scattering and vector-meson production

Based on the two-gluon-exchange dynamical mechanism for deeply inelastic scattering at low x ~= Q^2/W^2 <<1, we stress the intimate connection between the total virtual photoabsorption cross section, deeply virtual Compton scattering and vector-meson electroproduction. A simple expression for the cross section for deeply virtual Compton scattering is derived. Parameter-free predictions are obtained for deeply-virtual Compton forward scattering and vector-meson forward production, once the parameters in the total virtual photoabsorption cross section are determined in a fit to the experimental data on deeply inelastic scattering. Our predictions are compared with the experimental data from HERA.Comment: 31 pages Latex, 10 figures and 1 tabl

Real and Virtual Compton Scattering off the Nucleon

A review is given of the very recent developments in the fields of real and virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon. Both real and virtual Compton scattering reactions are discussed at low outgoing photon energy where one accesses polarizabilities of the nucleon. The real Compton scattering at large momentum transfer is discussed which is asymptotically a tool to obtain information on the valence quark wave function of the nucleon. The rapid developments in deeply virtual Compton scattering and associated meson electroproduction reactions at high energy, high photon virtuality and small momentum transfer to the nucleon are discussed. A unified theoretical description of those processes has emerged over the last few years, which gives access to new, generalized parton distributions. The experimental status and perspectives in these fields are also discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 17 figure

Compton Scattering by Nuclei

The concept of Compton scattering by even-even nuclei from giant-resonance to nucleon-resonance energies and the status of experimental and theoretical researches in this field are outlined. Nuclear Compton scattering in the giant-resonance energy-region provides information on the dynamical properties of the in-medium mass of the nucleon. The electromagnetic polarizabilities of the nucleon in the nuclear medium can be extracted from nuclear Compton scattering data obtained in the quasi-deuteron energy-region. Recent results are presented for two-body effects due to the mesonic seagull amplitude and due to the excitation of nucleon internal degrees of freedom accompanied by meson exchanges. Due to these studies the in-medium electromagnetic polarizabilities are by now well understood, whereas the understanding of nuclear Compton scattering in the Delta-resonance range is only at the beginning. Phenomenological methods how to include retardation effects in the scattering amplitude are discussed and compared with model predictions.Comment: 146 pages, 37 figures, submitted to Phys. Report