On higher order radiative corrections to elastic electron-proton scattering

Abstract

QED radiative corrections to elastic electron-proton scattering at low energies are discussed. Corrections to the electron line and effects due to vacuum polarization are computed. Higher order effects are estimated for the conditions of the experiment on the electric and magnetic proton form factors by A1 Collaboration. Calculations are performed within the next-to-leading approximation. Inclusion of the higher order effects can affect the value of the proton charge radius extracted from the experimental data.