Virtual Compton Scattering and the Generalized Polarizabilities of the Proton at Q2=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2

Virtual Compton scattering (VCS) on the proton has been studied at the Jefferson Laboratory using the exclusive photon electroproduction reaction ep→epγ. This paper gives a detailed account of the analysis which has led to the determination of the structure functions PLL-P TT/ε and PLT and the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities (GPs) αE(Q2) and βM(Q2) at values of the four-momentum transfer squared Q2=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2. These data, together with the results of VCS experiments at lower momenta, help building a coherent picture of the electric and magnetic GPs of the proton over the full measured Q2 range and point to their nontrivial behavior.