A bound-state field-theory approach to muonic hydrogen is set up using a variant of the Furry representation in which the lowest-order Hamiltonian describes a muon in the presence of a point Coulomb field, but the origin of the binding field is taken to be three charged quarks in the proton, which are modeled as Dirac particles that move freely within a spherical well. Bound-state field-theory techniques are used to evaluate one- and two-photon effects. Particular attention is paid to two-photon-exchange diagrams, which include the effect of proton polarizability. In addition, the modification of the electromagnetic self energy of the proton by the electric field of the muon is examined. Finally, the model is used to carry out a calculation of the static electric polarizability of the proton.

• Received 7 April 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.87.052511