Geometric interpretation of hadron-proton total cross sections and a determination of hadronic radii

Hadron-proton total cross sections σₕₚᵗ and slope parameters bₕₚ from elastic scattering are found to be closely related. If effective radii Rᵢ are defined by bₕₚ=Rₕ²+Rₚ², we find from the data σₕₚᵗ=gRₕ²{R}ₚ². This geometric factorization property, which holds for c.m. energies s ≥15 GeV, is understood within the eikonal approach. Total cross sections{{σ}}ₕₚᵗ$ can be used to deduce hadronic radii of mesons and baryons.