Magnetic Moments of the Proton and the Neutron

Abstract

IT is well known that the magnetic moment of the proton and the neutron cannot be explained by Dirac's relativistic wave equation. It was first suggested by Wick¹ that the surplus moment of the proton may be explained by Fermi's β-theory, according to which the proton spends a certain fraction of its life in a virtual state as a neutron plus a free positive electron and neutrino. Since the electron has a large magnetic moment, this state will contribute considerably to the magnetic moment of the proton. Since, however, the β-decay constant is exceedingly small in nuclear dimensions, it has not been possible to account for the observed momenta in this way.