Virtual Compton scattering and the generalized polarizabilities of the proton atQ2=0.92and 1.76 GeV2

Virtual Compton scattering (VCS) on the proton has been studied at the Jefferson Laboratory using the exclusive photon electroproduction reaction $ep\to ep\gamma$. This paper gives a detailed account of the analysis which has led to the determination of the structure functions $P_{LL}-P_{TT}/\epsilon$ and $P_{LT}$ and the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities (GPs) ${\alpha }_E\left(Q^2\right)$ and ${\beta }_M\left(Q^2\right)$ at values of the four-momentum transfer squared $Q^2=0.92$ and 1.76 GeV${}^2$. These data, together with the results of VCS experiments at lower momenta, help building a coherent picture of the electric and magnetic GPs of the proton over the full measured $Q^2$ range and point to their nontrivial behavior.