Parton Distributions Research Articles

Nucleon helicity parton distribution function in the continuum limit with self-renormalization

We present the first lattice calculation of the nucleon isovector helicity parton distribution function (PDF) in the framework of large-momentum effective theory (LaMET) that uses the hybrid scheme with self-renormalization. We use ensembles generated by the MILC collaboration at lattice spacings a={0.1207,0.0888,0.0582} fm, with Nf=2+1+1 flavors of highly improved staggered quarks at sea pion mass of Mπ≈315 MeV. We use clover-improved action for our valence quarks with nucleon boost momentum Pz≈1.75 GeV and high-statistics measurements for the LaMET matrix elements. We perform an extrapolation to the continuum limit and improve the handling of systematic errors using renormalization-group resummation (RGR) and leading-renormalon resummation (LRR). Our final nucleon helicity PDF is renormalized in the MS‾ scheme at energy scale μ=2.0 GeV. We compare our results with and without the two systematic improvements of RGR and LRR at each lattice spacing as well as the continuum limit, and we see that the application of RGR and LRR greatly reduces the systematic errors across the whole x range. Our continuum results with both RGR and LRR show a small positive antiquark region for the nucleon helicity PDF as well as a change of as much as a factor of two in the central values compared to results with neither RGR or LRR. By contrast, the application of RGR and LRR only changes the central values by about 5% in the quark region. We compare our lattice results with the global fits by the JAM, NNPDF and DSSV collaborations, and we observe some tension between our results.

Simultaneous reweighting of Transverse Momentum Dependent distributions

The Bayesian reweighting procedure is extended to the case of multiple independent extractions of transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs). By exploiting the data on transverse single spin asymmetries, AN, for inclusive pion production in polarized proton-proton collisions measured at RHIC, we perform a simultaneous reweighting of the quark Sivers, transversity and Collins TMD functions extracted from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) and e+e− annihilation into hadron pairs. The impact of the implementation of the Soffer bound, as well as the differences between older and newer AN data, are investigated. The agreement with AN data at large-xF values, a kinematical region complementary to those explored in SIDIS measurements, is enhanced, improving the knowledge of the polarized quark TMDs in the large-x region.

Soft-gluon corrections in [formula omitted] production

We study higher-order QCD corrections for the associated production of a top-antitop quark pair and a W boson (tt¯W production) in proton-proton collisions. We calculate approximate NNLO (aNNLO) and approximate N3LO (aN3LO) cross sections, with second-order and third-order soft-gluon corrections added to the exact NLO QCD result, and we also include electroweak (EW) corrections through NLO. We calculate uncertainties from scale dependence, which are reduced at higher orders, and from parton distributions, and we also provide separate results for tt¯W+ and tt¯W− production. We compare our results to recent measurements from the LHC, and we find that the aN3LO QCD + NLO EW predictions provide improved agreement with the data. We also calculate differential distributions in top-quark transverse momentum and rapidity and find significant enhancements from the higher-order corrections. This is the first calculation of soft-gluon corrections in single-particle-inclusive kinematics for a 2→3 process where all final-state particles are massive.

Parton distributions from boosted fields in the Coulomb gauge

We propose a new method to calculate parton distribution functions (PDFs) from lattice correlations of boosted quarks and gluons in the Coulomb gauge. Compared to the widely used gauge-invariant Wilson-line operators, these correlations greatly simplify the renormalization thanks to the absence of linear power divergence. Additionally, they enable access to larger off-axis momenta under preserved 3D rotational symmetry, as well as enhanced long-range precision that facilitates the Fourier transform. We verify the factorization formula that relates this new observable to the quark PDF at one-loop order in perturbation theory. Moreover, through a lattice calculation of the pion valence quark PDF, we demonstrate the aforementioned advantage and features of the Coulomb gauge correlation and show that it yields consistent results with the gauge-invariant method. This opens the door to a more efficient way to calculate parton physics on the lattice. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Unraveling generalized parton distributions through Lorentz symmetry and partial DGLAP knowledge

Relying on the polynomiality property of generalized parton distributions, which roots on Lorentz covariance, we prove that it is enough to know them at vanishing and low skewness within the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi region to obtain a unique extension to their entire support up to a D term. We put this idea in practice using two methods: reconstruction using artificial neural networks and finite-elements methods. We benchmark our results against standard models for generalized parton distributions. In agreement with the formal expectation, we obtain very a accurate reconstruction for a maximal value of the skewness as low as 20% of the longitudinal momentum fraction. This result might be relevant for reconstruction of generalized parton distribution from experimental and lattice QCD data, where computations are, for now, restricted in skewness. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Wigner distributions of sea quarks in the light-cone quark model

We investigate the Wigner distributions of u¯ and d¯ quarks in a proton using the overlap representation within the light cone formalism. Using the light-cone wave functions which are obtained from the baryon-meson fluctuation model in terms of the |qq¯B⟩ Fock states, we calculate the Wigner distributions for the unpolarized/longitudinally polarized sea quarks in an unpolarized/longitudinally polarized proton. The Wigner distributions can be obtained through a Fourier transform on the generalized transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions (GTMDs). We also calculate the GTMDs of u¯ and d¯ quarks in the intermediate step. Numerical results for the Wigner distributions of u¯ and d¯ quarks in transverse momentum space, impact parameter space and the mixed plane are presented. We also study the orbital angular momentum and the spin-orbit correlations of the sea quarks. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Classical information entropy of parton distribution functions and an application in searching gluon saturation

Classical information entropy of parton distribution functions and an application in searching gluon saturation

Transversity generalized parton distributions in spin- 3/2 particles

The definitions of the quark and gluon transversity generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in spin-3/2 particles are obtained in the light-cone gauge. It is found that they contain 16 independent components for each parton. Their even or odd property is found in terms of a skewness variable, and the odd transversity GPDs vanish in the forward limit. There are 16 amplitudes with helicity flip of quark or gluon. We conclude that all the amplitudes, unpolarized, polarized, and transversity amplitudes, have a common factor F(ζ) carrying all the complex parts. Here, the variable ζ is the helicity difference ζ=(λ′−λ)−(μ′−μ) for the amplitude Aλ′μ′,λμ. This kinematical factor is associated with the transfer of the orbital angular momentum in the quark- and gluon-spin-3/2 particle scattering amplitudes. We also derive another main physical quantity, transversity distribution, from the transversity GPDs in the forward limit for the spin-3/2 particles. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Extraction of unpolarized transverse momentum distributions from the fit of Drell-Yan data at N4LL

We present an extraction of unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distributions functions (TMDPDFs) and Collins-Soper kernel from the fit of Drell-Yan and weak-vector boson production data. The TMDPDF are parameterized, as commonly done, using their (large transverse momentum) asymptotic matching to PDF. The analysis is done at the next-to-next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithmic accuracy (N4LL) (performed only approximately because PDF evolution is known so far at next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO)). The non-perturbative model used for TMDPDF is flavor dependent to reduce the colllinear PDF bias. The estimation of uncertainties is done with the replica method and, for the first time, it includes the propagation of uncertainties due to the collinear distributions.

Proton PDFs with nonlinear corrections from gluon recombination

We present numerical studies of the leading nonlinear corrections to the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution equations of parton distribution functions (PDFs) resulting from gluon recombination. The effect of these corrections is to reduce the pace of evolution at small momentum fractions x while slightly increasing it at intermediate x. By implementing the nonlinear evolution in the framework, we have carried out fits of proton PDFs using data on lepton-proton deep inelastic scattering from HERA, BCDMS, and NMC. While we find no evidence for the presence of nonlinearities, they cannot be entirely excluded either, and we are able to set limits for their strength. In terms of the recombination scale Qr, which plays a similar role as the saturation scale in the dipole picture of the proton, we find that Qr≲2.5 GeV. We also quantify the impact of the nonlinear terms for the longitudinal structure function at the Electron-Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Electron Collider and find that these measurements could provide stronger constraints on the projected effects. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Compatibility and combination of world W-boson mass measurements

The compatibility of W-boson mass measurements performed by the ATLAS, LHCb, CDF, and D0 experiments is studied using a coherent framework with theory uncertainty correlations. The measurements are combined using a number of recent sets of parton distribution functions (PDF), and are further combined with the average value of measurements from the Large Electron–Positron collider. The considered PDF sets generally have a low compatibility with a suite of global rapidity-sensitive Drell–Yan measurements. The most compatible set is CT18 due to its larger uncertainties. A combination of all mW\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$m_W$$\\end{document} measurements yields a value of mW=80,394.6±11.5\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$m_W = 80{,}394.6 \\pm 11.5$$\\end{document} MeV with the CT18 set, but has a probability of compatibility of 0.5% and is therefore disfavoured. Combinations are performed removing each measurement individually, and a 91% probability of compatibility is obtained when the CDF measurement is removed. The corresponding value of the W boson mass is 80,369.2±13.3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$80{,}369.2 \\pm 13.3$$\\end{document} MeV, which differs by 3.6σ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$3.6\\sigma $$\\end{document} from the CDF value determined using the same PDF set.

Intrinsic charm quark valence distribution of the proton

We provide a first quantitative indication that the wave function of the proton contains unequal distributions of charm quarks and antiquarks, i.e., a nonvanishing intrinsic valence charm distribution. A significant nonvanishing valence component cannot be perturbatively generated; hence, our results reinforce previous evidence that the proton contains an intrinsic (i.e., not radiatively generated) charm quark component. We establish our result through a determination of the parton distribution functions of charm quarks and antiquarks in the proton. We propose two novel experimental probes of this intrinsic charm valence component: D-meson asymmetries in Z+c-jet production at the LHCb experiment and flavor-tagged structure functions at the Electron-Ion Collider. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Impact of JLab data on the determination of GPDs at zero skewness and new insights from transition form factors N→Δ

It is well-established now that the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) at zero skewness are playing important roles in some physical process such as elastic electron-nucleon scattering, elastic (anti)neutrino-nucleon scattering, and wide-angle Compton scattering (WACS) via various types of form factors (FFs). In this study, we are going to utilize the recent JLab measurements of the elastic electron-nucleon scattering reduced cross section, namely GMp12, as a touchstone to unravel the tension observed between the measurements of the WACS cross section and the data of the proton magnetic FF GMp. We also investigate the impact of GMp12 data on valence unpolarized GPDs Hvq and Evq at zero skewness by performing some χ2 analyses of the related experimental data. By calculating the electric and scalar quadrupole ratios, REM and RSM, and magnetic transition FF GM*/3GD related to the nucleon-to-delta (N→Δ) transition using the extracted GPDs and comparing the results with corresponding experimental measurements, we show that our results are in an excellent consistency with experiments, indicating the universality property of GPDs. We emphasize that the inclusion of these data in the future analysis of GPDs can significantly affect the extracted GPDs especially their uncertainties at smaller values of Q2. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Nuclear Parton Distribution Functions After the First Decade of LHC Data

We present a review of the conceptual basis, current knowledge, and recent progress regarding global analysis of nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs). After introducing the theoretical foundations and methodological approaches for the extraction of nuclear PDFs from experimental data, we discuss how different measurements in fixed-target and collider experiments provide increasingly precise constraints on various aspects of nuclear PDFs, including shadowing, antishadowing, the EMC effect, Fermi motion, flavor separation, deuteron binding, and target-mass and other higher-twist effects. Particular emphasis is given to measurements carried out in proton–lead collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, which have revolutionized the global analysis during the past decade. These measurements include electroweak boson, jet, light hadron, and heavy flavor observables. Finally, we outline the expected impact of the future Electron Ion Collider and discuss the role and interplay of nuclear PDFs with other branches of nuclear, particle, and astroparticle physics.

Renormalons and power corrections in pseudo- and quasi-GPDs

High-order behavior of the perturbative expansion for short-distance observables in QCD is intimately related to the contributions of small momenta in the corresponding Feynman diagrams and this correspondence provides one with a useful tool to investigate power-suppressed nonperturbative corrections. We use this technique to study the structure of power corrections to parton quasi- and pseudo-GPDs which are used in lattice calculations of generalized parton distributions. As the main result, we predict the functional dependence of the leading power corrections to quasi(pseudo)-GPDs on x variable for nonzero skewedness parameter ξ. The kinematic point x=±ξ turns out to be special. We find that the nonperturbative corrections to quasi-GPDs at this point are suppressed by the first power of the hard scale only. These contributions come from soft momenta and have nothing to do with the known UV renormalon in the Wilson line. We also show that power corrections can be strongly suppressed by the normalization procedure. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Analysis of parton distributions in a pion with Bézier parametrizations

Analysis of parton distributions in a pion with Bézier parametrizations

Extracting transition generalized parton distributions from hard exclusive pion-nucleon scattering

Extracting transition generalized parton distributions from hard exclusive pion-nucleon scattering

Double parton distributions with flavor interference from lattice QCD

We study double parton distributions with flavor interference in the nucleon and compare them with previous results for the flavor diagonal case. We investigate both unpolarized and polarized partons. We compare our lattice results with those obtained from the simple description of the proton in terms of an SU(6) symmetric three-quark wave function and find that this description fails for both flavor and polarization dependence. We also derive and test a factorization ansatz for the unpolarized flavor interference distribution in terms of single-parton distributions and find that this ansatz fails to a large extent.

Moments of nucleon unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions from lattice QCD at the physical point

Moments of nucleon unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions from lattice QCD at the physical point

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.