Maximum entropy formalism and analytic extrapolation

Abstract

The maximum entropy principle is used to obtain a new analytic extrapolation method just complementary to the Padé-type method which leads to rigorous upper and lower bounds on the extrapolated function on the cut complex plane. Among the large class of functions that could equally well represent an analytical function in the experimental region a choice is made of the unique function that maximizes the entropy functional associated to this set of functions. The result is the least biased function compatible with the actual experimental data. This extrapolation method is applied to kaon–nucleon experimental data in order to obtain the most reasonable values for the KNY coupling constants compatible with the available experimental data and analytical constraints.