Kaon (K+) charge structure revisited: Insights from Patterson function analysis

The charge distribution of the kaon has been reconstructed using Patterson function analysis, a technique that converts theoretical form factors directly into spatial densities without reliance on particle models. The resulting radial profile is strictly positive, with no evidence of negative regions. A sharply localized peak is observed, and the half‑maximum radius is determined to be 0.0355 fm, significantly smaller than conventional charge‑radius estimates. When compared with reconstructions of proton, deuteron, tritium, ³He, ⁴He, and pion, the kaon exhibits a strikingly compact profile. These findings underscore the effectiveness of Patterson methods in imaging elementary particles and highlight their value for studies of fundamental charge structures.