Electron-Deuteron Scattering and Two-Photon Exchange

The general expression for the electron-deuteron scattering amplitude is derived within the framework of Glauber theory. An approximation to this expression, used earlier, is shown to be valid at large, but not at small, momentum transfers. Two-photon exchange effects are somewhat smaller than previously thought. A simple extrapolation of the data does not indicate two-photon exchange dominance at large momentum transfers. Existing data indicate that because of interferences, two-photon exchange effects can change the cross section by ∼ 10% for $-t\approx 1$ ${(\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^2$.