Structure of the nucleon from electromagnetic timelike form factors

Recent experimental data on spacelike and timelike form factors of the nucleon are analyzed in terms of a model with an intrinsic structure and a meson cloud. The calculations are in perfect agreement with spacelike proton data, but deviate drastically from spacelike neutron data at $Q^2>1{(\mathrm{GeV}∕c)}^2$. We suggest that timelike data be used to understand this discrepancy. Analysis of timelike data shows excellent agreement with both proton and neutron data in the entire range of measured $q^2=-Q^2$, $3.52⩽q^2⩽15{(\mathrm{GeV}∕c)}^2$ values.