Parton Distribution Functions Research Articles

Twist-3 generalized parton distribution for the proton from basis light-front quantization

We investigate the twist-3 generalized parton distributions (GPDs) for the valence quarks of the proton within the basis light-front quantization (BLFQ) framework. We first solve for the mass spectra and light-front waved functions (LFWFs) in the leading Fock sector using an effective Hamiltonian. Using the LFWFs we then calculate the twist-3 GPDs via the overlap representation. By taking the forward limit, we also get the twist-3 parton distribution functions (PDFs), and discuss their properties. Our prediction for the twist-3 scalar PDF agrees well with the CLAS experimental extractions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Pion distribution functions from low-order Mellin moments

Exploiting an evolution scheme for parton distribution functions (DFs) that is all-orders exact, contemporary lattice-QCD (lQCD) results for low-order Mellin moments of the pion valence quark DF are shown to be mutually consistent. The analysis introduces a means by which key odd moments can be obtained from the even moments in circumstances where only the latter are available. Combining these elements, one arrives at parameter-free lQCD-based predictions for the pointwise behaviour of pion valence, glue, and sea DFs, with sound uncertainty estimates. The behaviour of the pion DFs at large light-front momentum fraction, x≳0.85, is found to be consistent with QCD expectations and continuum analyses of pion structure functions, i.e., damping like (1−x)βparton, with βvalence≈2.4, βglue≈3.6, βsea≈4.6. It may be possible to test these predictions using data from forthcoming experiments.

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.

Characterization of a Transmon Qubit in a 3D Cavity for Quantum Machine Learning and Photon Counting

In this paper, we report the use of a superconducting transmon qubit in a 3D cavity for quantum machine learning and photon counting applications. We first describe the realization and characterization of a transmon qubit coupled to a 3D resonator, providing a detailed description of the simulation framework and of the experimental measurement of important parameters, such as the dispersive shift and the qubit anharmonicity. We then report on a Quantum Machine Learning application implemented on a single-qubit device to fit the u-quark parton distribution function of the proton. In the final section of the manuscript, we present a new microwave photon detection scheme based on two qubits coupled to the same 3D resonator. This could in principle decrease the dark count rate, favoring applications like axion dark matter searches.

Leading twist T -even TMDs for the spin-1 heavy vector mesons

We have presented the leading twist quark transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) for the spin-1 heavy vector mesons J/ψ-meson and ϒ-meson using the overlap of the light-front wave functions. We have computed their TMDs in the light-front holographic model (LFHM) as well as the light-front quark model (LFQM) and further compared the results with the Bethe-Salpeter (BSE) model. We have discussed the behavior of the TMDs with respect to momentum fraction carried by active quark (x) and the transverse quark momenta (k⊥) in both the models. We have also calculated the k⊥ moments of the quark in both the models and have compared the results with the BSE model. The predictions of LFQM are found to be in accord with the BSE model. Further, we have analyzed the leading twist parton distribution functions (PDFs) for both the heavy mesons in both the models and the results are found to be in accord with the basic light-front quantization (BLFQ) and BSE model. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Spin-spin coupling at small x : Worm-gear and pretzelosity TMDs

We study the small-x asymptotics of the leading-twist quark transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) which encode couplings between the polarization of the quarks and that of their parent hadron, with at least one of the two polarizations in the transverse direction: the two worm-gear TMDs g1T and h1L⊥, and the pretzelosity h1T⊥. We apply the light cone operator treatment which has been developed in recent years to rewrite the TMD operator definitions at small-x in terms of polarized dipole amplitudes, finding that in the flavor nonsinglet sector all three TMDs reduce in the small-x limit to previously known polarized dipole amplitudes, and thus the large-Nc, linearized, double logarithmic approximation (DLA) asymptotics have all been solved for previously. We have compiled these asymptotics together with those of the other five flavor nonsinglet, leading-twist quark TMDs into a single unified table. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Light-cone and quasigeneralized parton distributions in the ’t Hooft model

We present a comprehensive study of the light-cone generalized parton distribution (GPD) and quasi-GPD of a flavor-neutral meson in the ’t Hooft model, i.e., two-dimensional QCD (QCD2) in the Nc→∞ limit. With the aid of the Hamiltonian approach, we construct the light-cone GPD in terms of the meson’s light-cone wave function in the framework of light-front quantization and express the quasi-GPD in terms of the meson’s Bars-Green wave functions and the chiral angle in the framework of equal-time quantization. We show that, both analytically and numerically, the quasi-GPD does approach the light-cone GPD when the meson is boosted to the infinite momentum frame, which justifies the tenet underlying the large momentum effective theory for the off-forward parton distribution. Upon taking the forward limit, the light-cone and quasi-GPDs reduce to the light-cone and quasi parton distribution functions (quasi-PDFs). As a bonus, we take this chance to correct the incomplete expression of the quasi-PDFs in the ’t Hooft model reported in our preceding work [Y. Jia , ]. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Light baryon spatial correlators at short distances

To study the light baryon light cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs), the spatial correlator of the light baryon has been calculated up to one-loop order in coordinate space. They reveal certain identities that do not appear in the study of mesons DAs and parton distribution functions. Subsequently, it was renormalized using the ratio renormalization scheme involving division by a 0-momentum matrix element. Then through the matching in the coordinate space, the light baryon light cone correlator can be extracted out from the spatial correlator. These results provide insights into both the ultraviolet and infrared structures of the light baryon spatial correlator, which is valuable for further exploration in this field. Furthermore, the employed ratio scheme is an efficient and lattice-friendly renormalization approach suitable for short-distance applications. These can be used for studying the light baryon LCDAs using lattice techniques. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Evolution of structure functions in momentum space

We formulate the momentum-space Dokshitzer–Gribov–Lipatov-Altarelli–Parisi (DGLAP) evolution equations for structure functions measurable in deeply inelastic scattering. We construct a six-dimensional basis of structure functions that allows for a full three flavor structure and thereby provides a way to calculate perturbative predictions for physical cross sections directly without unobservable parton distribution functions (PDFs) and without the associated scheme dependence. We derive the DGLAP equations to first non-zero order in strong coupling αs\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha _\ extrm{s}$$\\end{document}, but the approach can be pursued to arbitrary order in perturbation theory. We also numerically check our equations against the conventional PDF formulation.

Algebraic model to study the internal structure of pseudoscalar mesons with heavy-light quark content

The internal structure of all lowest-lying pseudoscalar mesons with heavy-light quark content is studied in detail using an algebraic model that has been applied recently, and successfully, to the same physical observables of pseudoscalar and vector mesons with hidden-flavor quark content, from light to heavy quark sectors. The algebraic model consists on constructing simple and evidence-based of the meson’s Bethe-Salpeter amplitude (BSA) and quark’s propagator in such a way that the Bethe-Salpeter wave function (BSWF) can then be readily computed algebraically. Its subsequent projection onto the light front yields the light front wave function (LFWF) whose form allows us a simple access to the valence-quark parton distribution amplitude (PDA) by integrating over the transverse momentum squared. We exploit our current knowledge of the PDAs of lowest-lying pseudoscalar heavy-light mesons to compute their generalized parton distributions (GPDs) through the overlap representation of LFWFs. From these three dimensional knowledge, different limits/projections lead us to deduce the related parton distribution functions (PDFs), electromagnetic form factors (EFFs), and impact parameter space GPDs (IPS-GPDs). When possible, we make explicit comparisons with available experimental results and earlier theoretical predictions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Light-front puzzles

Light-front formulations of quantum field theories have many advantages for computing electroweak matrix elements of strongly interacting systems and other quantities that are used to study hadronic structure. The theory can be formulated in Hamiltonian form so non-perturbative calculations of the strongly interacting initial and final states are in principle reduced to linear algebra. These states are needed for calculating parton distribution functions and other types of distribution amplitudes that are used to understand the structure of hadrons. Light-front boosts are kinematic transformations so the strongly interacting states can be computed in any frame. This is useful for computing current matrix elements involving electroweak probes where the initial and final hadronic states are in different frames related by the momentum transferred by the probe. Finally in many calculations the vacuum is trivial so the calculations can be formulated in Fock space. The advantages of light front-field theory would not be interesting if the light-front formulation was not equivalent to the covariant or canonical formulations of quantum field theory. Many of the distinguishing properties of light-front quantum field theory are difficult to reconcile with canonical or covariant formulations of quantum field theory. This paper discusses the resolution of some of the apparent inconsistencies in canonical, covariant and light-front formulations of quantum field theory. The puzzles that will be discussed are (1) the problem of inequivalent representations (2) the problem of the trivial vacuum (3) the problem of ill-posed initial value problems (4) the problem of rotational covariance (5) the problem of zero modes and (6) the problem of spontaneously broken symmetries.

Inside the Nucleon: Tomographic Interpretations and Universality of GPDs with DDVCS

The goal of Double Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DDVCS) experiments is to better understand the internal structure of the nucleon. Previous attempts to resolve the internal structure of nucleons have resulted in electromagnetic form factors and parton distribution functions for elastic scattering and deep inelastic scattering processes, respectively. Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) are the latest attempt to unify these models of nucleon structure. The GPDs of DDVCS give us ability to investigate off of the diagonal where x ̸= ±ξ. The main goal of our analysis is to determine the best experimental setup in order to deduce the kinematic variables on which GPDs depend from the lab observables. The effectiveness of our data collection in the laboratory is by determined the physical kinematics, Q2, Q′2,t, xi,ϕLM, ϕCMV , and θCMV . We can then run DDVCS experiments and collect data on observables to improve upon the current models for GPDs of the nucleon.

Reconstructing parton distribution function based on maximum entropy method* *Supported by Key Project for Undergraduate Teaching Reform and Quality Enhancement Research Plan in Ordinary Colleges and Universities in Tianjin (A231005505)

A new method based on the maximum entropy principle for reconstructing the parton distribution function (PDF) from moments is proposed. Unlike traditional methods, the new method does not require any artificial assumptions. For the case of moments with errors, we introduce Gaussian functions to soften the constraints of moments. Through a series of tests, the effectiveness and reconstruction efficiency of this new method are evaluated comprehensively, demonstrating that this method is reasonable and can achieve high-quality reconstruction with at least the first six moments as input. Finally, we select a set of lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) results regarding moments as input and provide reasonable reconstruction results for the pion.

Parton Distribution Functions and Their Impact on Precision of the Current Theory Calculations

Parton Distribution Functions and Their Impact on Precision of the Current Theory Calculations

Measurement of charged and full jet production and nuclear modification factor in pp and p–Pb collisions with ALICE

The study of jet production in small collision systems is essential for testing our understanding of perturbative and non perturbative QCD and cold nuclear matter (CNM) effects. In addition, studies at high multiplicity in small collision systems exhibit signatures of collectivity, which is still not fully understood within a unified picture across system size. Jet quenching in small systems is not observed within current measurement precision, calling for more precise jet measurements. Results of charged particle and fully reconstructed jet production in pp and p-Pb collisions are presented at √SNN = 5.02 and 8 TeV, along with the corresponding nuclear modification factor RpPb at √SNN = 5.02 TeV. These results are the most precise measurements of the RpPb by ALICE to date. To investigate whether jet energy is redistributed in CNM, the crosssection ratios for different jet resolution parameters (R) are compared between pp and p–Pb collisions, as well as within each collision system. Finally, comparisons between data and model predictions are discussed. This result extends previous LHC measurements to lower jet transverse momentum, constraining hard parton production and fragmentation mechanisms applied in model calculations, and the impact of the nuclear-modified parton distribution function on jet production. This measurement also provides new constraints on jet quenching in small collision systems.

Global extraction of proton and pion Transverse Momentum Distributions

We present the most recent global analysis of unpolarized proton Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions (TMD PDFs) and Fragmentation Functions (TMD FFs) derived from a diverse set of experimental datasets, including Semi-Inclusive Deep-Inelastic Scattering, Drell-Yan, and Z-boson production. Additionally, we present an extraction of the unpolarized pion TMD PDFs from all available data of unpolarized pion induced Drell–Yan processes. Both fits are performed at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (N3LL) accuracy.

NLO corrections to the deeply virtual meson production revisited: impact on the extraction of generalized parton distributions

We revisit the next-to-leading order (NLO) perturbative QCD corrections for the deeply virtual meson production (DVMP) process, exploring its phenomenology both in isolation and in a multichannel fit combined with deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS). Our approach involves the conformal partial wave (CPaW) formalism, which allows for the straightforward inclusion of higher-order contributions and evolutionary effects. Our findings indicate that a description of the longitudinal component of the vector meson DVMP cross-section at high energies is achievable only at NLO within the standard collinear approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate a simultaneous description of DIS, DVCS, and DVMP processes, providing insights into the proton structure described at NLO by unique universal generalized parton distribution (GPD) functions.

The muon parton distribution functions

We compute the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the unpolarised muon for the leptons, the photon, the light quarks, and the gluon. We discuss in detail the issues stemming from the necessity of evaluating the strong coupling constant at scales of the order of the typical hadron mass, and compare our novel approach with those currently available in the literature. While we restrict our phenomenological results to be leading-logarithmic accurate, we set up our formalism in a way that renders it straightforward to achieve next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy in the QED, QCD, and mixed QED×QCD contributions.

The Sivers asymmetry in charged Kaon and Λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Lambda $$\\end{document} hyperon produced SIDIS process at electron ion colliders

We investigate the single transverse-spin asymmetry with a sin(ϕh-ϕS)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sin (\\phi _h-\\phi _S)$$\\end{document} modulation in the charged Kaon produced and in Λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Lambda $$\\end{document} hyperon produced SIDIS process within the theoretical framework of transverse momentum dependent (TMD) factorization at the next-to-leading-logarithmic order. The asymmetry is contributed by the convolution of Sivers function and the unpolarized fragmentation function D1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$D_1$$\\end{document} for the produced hadron. The parametrization for the proton Qiu–Sterman function, which is closely related to the Sivers function, is adopted to numerically estimate the Sivers asymmetry at the kinematical region of Electron Ion Collider (EIC) and Electron Ion Collider in China (EicC). The TMD evolution of the TMD parton distribution functions are considered by employing the non-perturbative Sudakov form factor. It is found that the predicted Sivers asymmetries AUTsin(ϕh-ϕS)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$A_{UT}^{\\sin (\\phi _h-\\phi _S)}$$\\end{document} as functions of x, z and PhT\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P_{hT}$$\\end{document} are sizable at the kinematical configurations of both EIC and EicC. The strange constituent of the produced charged Kaon and Λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Lambda $$\\end{document} hyperon in the final state can be a promising probe of the sea quark Sivers function as well as the flavor dependence in the proton target. Therefore, it is important to utilize the future EIC facilities to constrain the sea quark distribution functions as well as the validity of the generalized universality of the Sivers function.

Accelerating Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling with diffusion models

Global fits of physics models require efficient methods for exploring high-dimensional and/or multimodal posterior functions. We introduce a novel method for accelerating Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling by pairing a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with a diffusion model that can draw global samples with the aim of approximating the posterior. We briefly review diffusion models in the context of image synthesis before providing a streamlined diffusion model tailored towards low-dimensional data arrays. We then present our adapted Metropolis-Hastings algorithm which combines local proposals with global proposals taken from a diffusion model that is regularly trained on the samples produced during the MCMC run. Our approach leads to a significant reduction in the number of likelihood evaluations required to obtain an accurate representation of the Bayesian posterior across several analytic functions, as well as for a physical example based on a global analysis of parton distribution functions. Our method is extensible to other MCMC techniques, and we briefly compare our method to similar approaches based on normalizing flows. A code implementation can be found at https://github.com/NickHunt-Smith/MCMC-diffusion.