Single--Spin Asymmetries in the Bethe--Heitler Process $e^- + p \to e^- + \gamma + p$ from QED Radiative Corrections

We derived analytic formulae for the polarization single--spin asymmetries (SSA) in the Bethe--Heitler process $e^- + p \to e^- + \gamma + p$. The asymmetries arise due to one-loop QED radiative corrections to the leptonic part of the interaction and present a systematic correction for the studies of virtual Compton Scattering on a proton through interference with the Bethe-Heitler amplitude. Considered are SSA with either longitudinally polarized electron beam or a polarized proton target. The computed effect appears to be small, not exceeding 0.1 per cent for kinematics of current virtual Compton scattering experiments.