Electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon in a covariant diquark model

Abstract

We present a simple covariant constituent diquark-quark model for the nucleon. The nucleon is assumed to be composed of a scalar diquark and a quark which interact via a quark exchange. Starting from the Bethe-Salpeter equation, the instantaneous approximation leads to a diquark-quark Salpeter equation. In the Mandelstam formalism, the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon are calculated for momentum transfers up to $q^2 = - 3 \; (\mbox{GeV/c})^2$. A remarkable description of the experimental data is obtained. Especially, the model gives nearly the right values for the proton and (negative) neutron charge radii, and a qualitative description of the magnetic form factors.