Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions Research Articles

Measurements of the Z0/γ⁎ cross section and transverse single spin asymmetry in 510 GeV p + p collisions

The differential cross section for Z0 production, measured as a function of the boson's transverse momentum (pT), provides important constraints on the evolution of the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). The transverse single spin asymmetry (TSSA) of the Z0 is sensitive to one of the polarized TMDs, the Sivers function, which is predicted to have the opposite sign in p+p→W/Z+X from that which enters in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. In this Letter, the STAR Collaboration reports the first measurement of the Z0/γ⁎ differential cross section as a function of its pT in p+p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 510 GeV, together with the Z0/γ⁎ total cross section. We also report the measurement of Z0/γ⁎ TSSA in transversely polarized p+p collisions at 510 GeV.

Transverse momentum weighted Sivers asymmetries in SIDIS and Drell-Yan processes at COMPASS

We investigate the transverse momentum weighted Sivers asymmetries in the processes with transversely polarized proton target, including the PhTzMpsin⁡(ϕh−ϕS) weighted asymmetry in charged hadron production in semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering (SIDIS) and the qTMpsin⁡(ϕS) weighted asymmetry in π−p Drell-Yan process. These asymmetries can be expressed as the product of the transverse-moments of the transverse momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions (PDFs) and fragmentation functions (FFs). Using the parametrization for the Sivers function of the proton, the unpolarized PDFs of proton and pion, and the unpolarized FF of charged hadron, we present the numerical calculation for weighted Sivers asymmetries in SIDIS and Drell-Yan processes at the kinematics of COMPASS. We find that our prediction for the SIDIS process is in agreement with the recent COMPASS measurement. Recent new high-statistics data of Sivers asymmetry measured in SIDIS process and Drell-Yan process from COMPASS favored the sign change of Sivers function. High-precision experimental data of weighted asymmetries are still needed to test the sign change property of the Sivers function between SIDIS and Drell-Yan processes and to constrain the sea quark Sivers function.

Polarized fragmenting jet functions in inclusive and exclusive jet production

In this work, we present a complete theoretical framework for analyzing the distribution of polarized hadrons within jets, with and without measuring the transverse momentum relative to the standard jet axis. Using soft-collinear effective theory (SCET), we derive the factorization and provide the theoretical calculation of both semi-inclusive and exclusive fragmenting jet functions (FJFs) under longitudinal and transverse polarization. With the polarized FJFs, one gains access to a variety of new observables that can be used for extracting both collinear and transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (PDFs) and fragmentation functions (FFs). As examples, we provide numerical results for the spin asymmetry ATU,TcosϕS−ϕ̂Sh\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {A}_{TU,T}^{\\cos \\left({\\phi}_S-{\\hat{\\phi}}_{S_h}\\right)} $$\\end{document} from polarized semi-inclusive hadron-in-jet production in polarized pp collisions at RHIC kinematics, where a transversely polarized quark would lead to the transverse spin of the final-state hadron inside the jet and is thus sensitive to the transversity fragmentation functions. Similarly, another spin asymmetry, ATU,Lcosϕq−ϕS\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {A}_{TU,L}^{\\cos \\left({\\phi}_q-{\\phi}_S\\right)} $$\\end{document} from polarized exclusive hadron-in-jet production in polarized ep collisions at EIC kinematics would allow us to access the helicity fragmentation functions. These observables demonstrate promising potential in investigating transverse momentum dependent PDFs and FFs and are worthwhile for further measurements.

T-even TMDs for the spin-0 pseudo-scalar mesons upto twist-4 using light-front formalism

We have investigated the pseudo-scalar meson structure in the form of transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) in the light-front based holographic model and quark model. Starting from leading order, we have calculated all the time-reversal even TMDs for pion and kaon up to twist-4 in these models. We have shown the 3-dimensional structure as well as the 2-dimensional structure of these particles along with their average quark transverse momenta. The parton distribution functions (PDFs) of pseudo-scalar pion have been compared with E615 and modified E615 results. The sum rules, TMD transverse dependence, inverse moments and Gaussian transverse dependence ratio in these models have also been studied. Further, the transverse quark densities have also been analyzed in the momentum space plane for these particles. The higher twist kaon properties in light-front framework have been predicted for the first time in this work.

The neutral current deeply inelastic scattering process and a revisit on the intrinsic asymmetry

The intermediate particle in the neutral current deeply inelastic scattering process can be either a virtual photon or a Z0 boson. In this paper we calculate contributions from the weak interaction in the semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering process. Semi-inclusive implies that a jet in the current region is also measured in addition to the scattered electron. Jet can be a good candidate to study the three-dimensional structure of the nucleon in the semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering process. In the vector boson-nucleon collinear frame, the transverse momentum of the jet is the same to that of the quark in the nucleon under the leading order approximation. As a result, one can define the intrinsic asymmetry which reveals the imbalance of the transverse momentum of the incident quark to explore the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMD PDFs). With the Gaussian ansatz for the TMD PDFs, we restudy the transverse momentum dependent behavior of the intrinsic asymmetry. We find that the asymmetry tends to a linear function with respect to k⊥ when Δu,d2 approach Δ′u,d2.

QCD resummation of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp and pA collisions

We study the azimuthal angular decorrelations of dijet production in both proton-proton (pp) and proton-nucleus (pA) collisions. By utilizing soft-collinear effective theory, we establish the factorization and resummation formalism at the next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy for the azimuthal angular decorrelations in the back-to-back limit in pp collisions. We propose an approach where the nuclear modifications to dijet production in pA collisions are accounted for in the nuclear modified transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (nTMDPDFs), which contain both collinear and transverse dynamics. This approach naturally generalizes the well-established formalism related to the nuclear modified collinear parton distribution functions (nPDFs). We demonstrate strong consistency between our methodology and the CMS measurements in both pp and pA collisions, and make predictions for dijet production in the forward rapidity region in pA collisions at LHC kinematics and for mid-rapidity kinematics at sPHENIX. Throughout this paper, we focus on the application of this formalism to a simultaneous fit to both collinear and transverse momentum dependent contributions to the transverse momentum dependent distributions.

Neutrino-tagged jets at the Electron-Ion Collider

We explore the potential of jet observables in charged-current deep-inelastic scattering (CC DIS) events at the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). Tagging jets with a recoiling neutrino, which can be identified by the event's missing transverse momentum, will allow for flavor-sensitive measurements of Transverse Momentum Dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). We present the first predictions for transverse-spin asymmetries in azimuthal neutrino-jet correlations and hadron-in-jet measurements. We study the kinematic reach and the precision of these measurements and explore their feasibility using parameterized detector simulations. We conclude that jet production in CC DIS, while challenging in terms of luminosity requirements, will complement the EIC experimental program to study the three-dimensional structure of the nucleon encoded in TMDs.

Semi-inclusive deeply inelastic neutrino and antineutrino nucleus scattering

The (anti)neutrino nucleus scattering plays a very important role in probing the hadronic structure as well as the electroweak phenomenologies. To this end, we calculate the jet production semi-inclusive deeply inelastic (anti)neutrino nucleus scattering process. The initial (anti)neutrino is assumed to be scattered off by a target particle with spin 1. Due to the limitation of the factorization theorem, calculations are carried out in the quantum chromodynamics parton model framework up to tree level twist-3. We consider both the neutral current and the charged current processes and write them into a unified form due to the similar interaction forms. Considering the angular modulations and polarizations of the cross section, we calculate the complete azimuthal asymmetries. We also calculate the intrinsic asymmetries which reveal the imbalance in the distribution of the intrinsic transverse momentum of the quark. We find that these asymmetries can be expressed in terms of the transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMD PDFs) and the electroweak couplings. With the determined couplings, these asymmetries can be used to extract the TMD PDFs and further to study the hadronic structures.

Machine learning-based jet and event classification at the Electron-Ion Collider with applications to hadron structure and spin physics

We explore machine learning-based jet and event identification at the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). We study the effectiveness of machine learning-based classifiers at relatively low EIC energies, focusing on (i) identifying the flavor of the jet and (ii) identifying the underlying hard process of the event. We propose applications of our machine learning-based jet identification in the key research areas at the future EIC and current Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider program, including enhancing constraints on (transverse momentum dependent) parton distribution functions, improving experimental access to transverse spin asymmetries, studying photon structure, and quantifying the modification of hadrons and jets in the cold nuclear matter environment in electron-nucleus collisions. We establish first benchmarks and contrast the estimated performance of flavor tagging at the EIC with that at the Large Hadron Collider. We perform studies relevant to aspects of detector design including particle identification, charge information, and minimum transverse momentum capabilities. Additionally, we study the impact of using full event information instead of using only information associated with the identified jet. These methods can be deployed either on suitably accurate Monte Carlo event generators, or, for several applications, directly on experimental data. We provide an outlook for ultimately connecting these machine learning-based methods with first principles calculations in quantum chromodynamics.

SIDIS-RC EvGen: A Monte-Carlo event generator of semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering with the lowest-order QED radiative corrections

SIDIS-RC EvGen is a C++ standalone Monte-Carlo event generator for studies of semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) processes at medium to high lepton beam energies. In particular, the generator contains binary and library components for generating SIDIS events and calculating cross sections for unpolarized or longitudinally polarized beam and unpolarized, longitudinally or transversely polarized target. The structure of the generator incorporates transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution and fragmentation functions, whereby we obtain multi-dimensional binned simulation results, which will facilitate the extraction of important information about the three-dimensional nucleon structure from SIDIS measurements. In order to build this software, we have used recent elaborate QED calculations of the lowest-order radiative effects, applied to the leading order Born cross section in SIDIS. In this paper, we provide details on the theoretical formalism as well as the construction and operation of SIDIS-RC EvGen, e.g., how we handle the event generation process and perform multi-dimensional integration. We also provide example programs, flowcharts, and numerical results on azimuthal transverse single-spin asymmetries. Program summaryProgram title: SIDIS-RC EvGenCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/thrkn96ydd.1Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License Version 3Developer's repository link:https://github.com/duanebyer/sidisProgramming language: C++, PythonExternal packages: FOAM, ROOT, GSL, VEGAS, Cubature, Cog, WW-SIDIS, MSTWPDFNature of problem: The task is to first create a code for calculations of the leading order Born cross section as well as radiative corrections (RCs) at the next-to-leading order (NLO) of the cross section of lepton-hadron semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) at medium to high beam energies with incident unpolarized or longitudinally polarized lepton beam and unpolarized, longitudinally or transversely polarized target, enabling to compute azimuthal single-target and double-beam-target spin asymmetries. Afterwards, a Monte-Carlo event generator based upon this code is developed, where in the coding and simulation processes multi-dimensional integrals need to be calculated precisely to obtain the exact NLO RCs to the SIDIS cross section with high precision beyond ultra-relativistic limit, which means that the lepton mass is taken into account.Solution method: The project for building the SIDIS-RC EvGen software is divided into a library component called libsidis, for the purpose of calculating the inelastic tail to the SIDIS total cross section, and a binary component called sidisgen, for generating events. The Monte-Carlo event generation is performed through the usage of the FOAM library, by applying a spatial partitioning method with hyper-cubical “foam of cells”. The multi-dimensional numerical integration is carried out by the GSL, VEGAS, and Cubature packages. The SIDIS structure functions that describe the SIDIS scattering process, and which are given in terms of transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution and fragmentation functions, are calculated in Gaussian and Wandzura–Wilczek-type approximations and implemented in the generator accordingly.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The restrictions depend on the complexity of problems, limited by CPU time. As a consequence, the program running time is of order of several minutes to hours. SIDIS-RC EvGen does not comprise yet the contribution coming from the radiative tail of exclusive lepton-hadron reactions, which is a separate contribution involving exclusive structure functions that are currently not well known.Developer's repository maintained by Duane Byer; Department of Physics, Duke University.

Sivers and Boer-Mulders TMDs of the proton in a light-front quark-diquark model

We obtain the leading twist T-odd quark transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) of the proton, namely, the Sivers function ${f}_{1T}^{\ensuremath{\perp}q}(x,{p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{2})$ and the Boer-Mulders function ${h}_{1}^{\ensuremath{\perp}q}(x,{p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{2})$, in a light-front quark-diquark model constructed with the wave functions predicted by the soft-wall AdS/QCD. The gluon rescattering is crucial to predict nonzero T-odd TMDs. We study the utility of a nonperturbative $SU(3)$ gluon rescattering kernel going beyond the usual approximation of perturbative $U(1)$ gluons. The spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) associated with these T-odd TMDs are found to be consistent with HERMES and COMPASS data. We further predict the Sivers asymmetries of pion production in the SIDIS process in the kinematical region of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and the EIC in China. We also evaluate the generalized Sivers and Boer-Mulders shifts and compare them with the available lattice QCD simulations.

Twist-4 T-even proton TMDs in the light-front quark–diquark model

We have dealt with the twist-4 T-even transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs) for the case of proton in the light-front quark–diquark model (LFQDM). By decoding the unintegrated quark–quark correlator for the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS), we have specifically obtained the overlap form for the unpolarized [Formula: see text], longitudinally polarized [Formula: see text] and transversely polarized ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) proton TMDs. We have provided the explicit expressions for both the cases of the diquark being a scalar or a vector. Average transverse momenta and the average square transverse momenta for the TMDs have been calculated and the results have been tabulated with corresponding leading twist TMDs. In addition, the value of average transverse momentum and average square transverse momentum for TMD [Formula: see text] has been compared with the available light-front constituent quark model (LFCQM) results. From TMDs, we have also obtained and discussed the transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs). The model relations of the twist-4 T-even TMDs with the available leading twist T-even TMDs have also been obtained.

Nuclear Modification of Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions by a Global QCD Analysis.

We perform the first simultaneous global QCD extraction of the transverse momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions and the TMD fragmentation functions in nuclei. We have considered the world set of data from semi-inclusive electron-nucleus deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan dilepton production. In total, this data set consists of 90 data points from HERMES, Fermilab, RHIC, and LHC. Working at next-to-leading order and next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, we achieve a χ^{2}/d.o.f.=1.196. In this analysis, we perform the first extraction of nuclear modified TMDs and compare these to those in free nucleons. We also make predictions for the ongoing JLab 12GeV program and future electron-ion collider measurements.

Toward three-dimensional nucleon structures at the Electron-Ion Collider in China: A study of the Sivers function

Transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) provide three-dimensional imaging of the nucleon in the momentum space. With its fundamental importance in understanding the spin structure of the nucleon, the precise measurement of TMDs is considered as one of the main physics topics of the proposed Electron-Ion Collider in China (EicC). In this paper, we investigate the impact of future semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) data from EicC on the extraction of TMDs. Taking the Sivers function as an example, we revisited the world SIDIS data, which serves as the input for the simulated EicC data. By performing a combined analysis of the world data and the EicC simulated data, we quantitatively demonstrate that the Sivers functions can be precisely determined for various quark flavors, especially for sea quarks, in the region, $x>0.005$, directly covered by the EicC.

Intrinsic asymmetries in semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering at the Electron-Ion Collider

We calculate the neutral current jet production semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering process in this paper. Neutral current implies that interactions can be mediated by the photon, $Z^0$-boson and their interference. The initial electron is assumed to be polarized and then scattered off by a target particle with spin-1/2. Calculations are carried out up to twist-3 level in the quantum chromodynamics parton model by applying the collinear expansion formalism where multiple gluon scattering is taken into account and gauge links are obtained automatically. After obtaining the differential cross section, we introduce the definition of the intrinsic asymmetry. This quantity reveals the asymmetry in the distribution of the quark intrinsic transverse momentum. We find that these asymmetries can be expressed in terms of the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions and the electroweak couplings. As a result, our calculations provide a set of new quantities for analyzing the parton distribution functions and the electroweak couplings. It is helpful to understand the hadronic weak interactions and strong interactions in the deeply inelastic scattering process simultaneously.

Parton model description of quark and antiquark correlators and TMDs

Model studies play an important role for the understanding and elucidation of the nonperturbative properties of transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). The parton model is often a helpful framework and starting point for first explorations of TMD properties and the description of deep-inelastic processes in which TMDs can be accessed. Based on a systematic exploration of the parton model concept, we reconcile the claims in literature that there are 2 independent structures in the quark correlator in the parton model vs the claim that there are 3, and explain the underlying assumptions leading to the different conclusions. We also systematically explore the antiquark correlator and, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time derive the model expressions for all T-even leading and subleading antiquark TMDs. We demonstrate the consistency of the framework which can be generalized in future studies for more sophisticated TMD modeling.

Transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions and QCD evolution equations

We provide an overview over Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). While we will also comment on TMD PDFs in general, we will focus on their use for the description of hadronic reactions in the so-called low x limit. Here $x = M^2/s$ and $M$ is the hard scale of the process, while $\sqrt{s}$ is the center of mass energy of the reaction. We will explain why this are interesting quantities whose exploration serves a manifold purpose. In particular we will explain why these are interesting quantities both for the accurate description of LHC data and why exploration of such quantities is a central goal of the future Electron Ion Collider. In a second part of this talk we will then discuss how perturbative QCD allows us to formulate and solve differential equations, which describe the dependence of this TMD PDFs on various kinematic variables.

Combining nonperturbative transverse momentum dependence with TMD evolution

Central to understanding the nonperturbative, intrinsic partonic nature of hadron structure are the concepts of transverse momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution and fragmentation functions. A TMD factorization approach to the phenomenology of semi-inclusive processes that includes evolution, higher orders, and matching to larger transverse momentum is ultimately necessary for reliably connecting with phenomenologically extracted nonperturbative structures, especially when widely different scales are involved. In this paper, we will address some of the difficulties that arise when phenomenological techniques that were originally designed for very high energy applications are extended to studies of hadron structures, and we will solidify the connection between standard high energy TMD implementations and the more intuitive, parton model based approaches to phenomenology that emphasize nonperturbative hadron structure. In the process, we will elaborate on differences between forward and backward TMD evolution, which in the context of this paper, we call ``bottom-up'' and ``top-down'' approaches, and we will explain the advantages of a bottom-up strategy. We will also emphasize and clarify the role of the integral relations that connect TMD and collinear correlation functions. We will show explicitly how they constrain the nonperturbative ``$g$-functions'' of standard Collins-Soper-Sterman implementations of TMD factorization. This paper is especially targeted toward phenomenologists and model builders who are interested in merging specific nonperturbative models and calculations (including lattice QCD) with TMD factorization at large $Q$. Our main result is a recipe for incorporating nonperturbative models into TMD factorization and for constraining their parameters in a way that matches perturbative QCD and evolution.

Transverse momentum distributions of valence quarks in light and heavy vector mesons

We study the leading-twist time-reversal even transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) of light and heavy vector mesons, i.e., the $\ensuremath{\rho}$, $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}$. We employ the leading Fock-state light front wave functions (LF-LFWFs) of $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ from our recent study, and supplement with $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}$'s LF-LFWFs. These LF-LFWFs are extracted from dynamically solved Bethe-Salpeter wave functions. The vector meson TMDs are then studied with the light front overlap representation at leading Fock-state. All the obtained TMDs are nonvanishing and evolve with current quark mass, in particular the tensor polarized TMDs ${f}_{1LT}$ and ${f}_{1TT}$ which undergo a sign flip. The $\ensuremath{\rho}$ TMDs are compared with other model studies and agreement is found, aside from ${f}_{1LT}$ and ${f}_{1TT}$. Finally, the collinear PDFs of vector mesons are studied. The $\ensuremath{\rho}$'s valence PDFs ${f}_{1,v}(x)$ and ${g}_{1L,v}(x)$ are evolved to the scale of 2.4 GeV, with their first three moments compared to the lattice QCD prediction. The qualitative behavior of tensor polarized PDF ${f}_{1LL}(x)$ in $\ensuremath{\rho}$ at large $x$ is also discussed.

Measurement of Target Spin (in)dependent Asymmetries in Dimuon Production in Pion-Nucleon Collisions at COMPASS

The exploration of the transverse spin structure of the nucleon is one of the main topics of the COMPASS phase-II experiment. In 2015 and 2018 COMPASS performed Drell–Yan (DY) measurements using a 190 GeV \pmb{\pi^-}𝛑− beam interacting with a transversely polarized NH\pmb{_{3}}3 target and unpolarized W target. The azimuthal asymmetries in DY with transversely polarized NH_{3}3 target are sensitive to various transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions. Preliminary results on the Sivers asymmetry are consistent with the QCD prediction for a sign-change of Sivers functions in DY. The angular coefficients \pmb{\lambda}𝛌, \pmb{\mu}𝛍 and \pmb{\nu}𝛎 that describe the unpolarized part of the DY cross section have been extracted from the data collected with W target. The preliminary results on the angular coefficients indicate the violation of the Lam–Tung relation, consistent with the observation in earlier DY experiments with pion beams.