Observables in Unpolarized and Polarized Virtual Compton Scattering

Abstract

Below pion threshold virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon gives access to the generalized electromagnetic polarizabilities. Different theoretical results for the generalized polarizabilities have been compared. In particular, the influence of the generalized polarizabilities on the unpolarized cross section and on double polarization observables has been investigated. Predictions for these observables have been obtained in the linear sigma model and chiral perturbation theory.

17 pages, LaTex file, 6 PS-figures, uses sprocl.sty, talk given at the second workshop on Electronuclear Physics with Internal Targets and the BLAST detector, MIT, Cambridge, May 28-30, 1998, to appear in the proceedings of the conference