Ambiguities in the definition of local spatial densities in light hadrons

Abstract

The relationship between the matrix element of a local operator and the Fourier transform of the associated form factor fails for systems such as the nucleon where its intrinsic size is of order its Compton wavelength. Although one can conceive of an intrinsic charge density distribution in the proton, there does not seem to be an unambiguous way to define, compute, or measure it precisely.