Semi-inclusive DIS Research Articles

Nuclear final-state interactions in deep inelastic scattering off the lightest nuclei

We review recent progress in studies of nuclear final-state interactions in deep inelastic scattering (DIS) off the lightest nuclei tagged by a recoil nucleon. These processes hold a lot of potential for resolving the outstanding issues related to the dynamics of hadronization in QCD. Within the minimal Fock component framework, valid at large Bjorken [Formula: see text], the main features of the theoretical approach based on the virtual nucleon approximation are elaborated. In this approach, the strong final-state interaction of the DIS products with the nuclear fragments is described by an effective eikonal amplitude, whose parameters can be extracted from the analysis of semi-inclusive DIS off the deuteron target. The extraction of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mass dependences of these parameters gives a new observable in studying the QCD structure of DIS final states. Another important feature of tagged DIS off the lightest nuclei is the possibility of performing pole extrapolation with a high degree of accuracy. Such extrapolation allows an extraction of the neutron structure function in a model independent way due to suppression of the final-state interaction in the on-shell limit of the struck nucleon propagator. We review the first application of the pole extrapolation to recent experimental data. Finally, we outline the extension of the framework to inclusive DIS, including a polarized deuteron target as well as its application to the tagged DIS reactions for future experiments at fixed target and collider energies.

The Sivers asymmetry in Drell–Yan production at the J/Ψ peak at COMPASS

The abundant production of lepton pairs via J/Ψ creation at COMPASS, π±p↑→J/ΨX→ℓ+ℓ−X, allows a measurement of the transverse single spin asymmetry, ANJ/Ψ, generated by the Sivers effect. The crucial issue of the sign change of the Sivers function in Drell–Yan lepton pair production, with respect to Semi Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering processes, can be addressed in a different context. Assuming that the Sivers asymmetry is related to a universal and intrinsic property of the proton, predictions for the expected magnitude of ANJ/Ψ, which turns out to be large, are given. A comparison with the suggested measurement of this single spin asymmetry – an important quantity by itself – should give valuable information.

First measurement of unpolarized semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering cross sections from a He3 target

The unpolarized semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) differential cross sections in $^3$He($e,e^{\prime}\pi^{\pm}$)$X$ have been measured for the first time in Jefferson Lab experiment E06-010 performed with a $5.9\,$GeV $e^-$ beam on a $^3$He target. The experiment focuses on the valence quark region, covering a kinematic range $0.12 < x_{bj} < 0.45$, $1 < Q^2 < 4 \, \textrm{(GeV/c)}^2$, $0.45 < z_{h} < 0.65$, and $0.05 < P_t < 0.55 \, \textrm{GeV/c}$. The extracted SIDIS differential cross sections of $\pi^{\pm}$ production are compared with existing phenomenological models while the $^3$He nucleus approximated as two protons and one neutron in a plane wave picture, in multi-dimensional bins. Within the experimental uncertainties, the azimuthal modulations of the cross sections are found to be consistent with zero.

Polarized $$^{\varvec{3}}$$ 3 He Target and Final State Interactions in SiDIS

Jefferson Lab (JLab) is starting a wide experimental program aimed at studying the neutron's structure, with a great emphasis on the extraction of the parton transverse-momentum distributions (TMDs). To this end, Semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SiDIS) experiments on polarized $^3$He will be carried out, providing, together with proton and deuteron data, a sound flavor decomposition of the TMDs. Given the expected high statistical accuracy, it is crucial to disentangle nuclear and partonic degrees of freedom to get an accurate theoretical description of both initial and final states. In this contribution, a preliminary study of the Final State Interaction (FSI) in the standard SiDIS, where a pion (or a Kaon) is detected in the final state is presented, in view of constructing a realistic description of the nuclear initial and final states.

Sivers effect and the spin asymmetry in meson production

The transverse polarization of nucleon and the transverse momentum of its unpolarized constituent partons are correlated with each other. This can be fairly described by the Sivers effect. In recent years this effect is cynosure and produces privilege aspects from both theoretical and experimental views. To extend our knowledge from nucleon structure, this effect has an outstanding role. One way to obtain the Sivers function which is essentially depends on transverse momentum of partons, is to employ the Semi inclusive DIS (SIDIS) process. In this article a new parametrization for the concerned piece of Sivers function is used which is different with respect to what has been done in [M. Anselmino et al., Phys. Rev. D 72 (2005) 094007]. The required collinear PDF is getting from HERAPDF parametrization group. The unknown parameters which exist in Sivers function can be extracted, fitting the available experimental data for single spin asymmetry (SSA) in π+π− production. The final analytical results for SSA are in good agreement with the HERMES experimental data.

Problem of kinematic mass corrections for unpolarized semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering

Miraculously, target mass corrections for inclusive deep inelastic scattering can be calculated exactly. On the contrary, there does not exist a consistent derivation of kinematic hadron mass corrections for semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS). Recently this has become of topical interest, since there is a significant difference between the measured HERMES and COMPASS pion and kaon multiplicities, which cannot be explained as a consequence of evolution in $Q^2$, and it has been suggested that the difference can be understood if kinematic hadron mass corrections are taken into account. We explain why this argument is incorrect.

Double-spin asymmetryALTcosϕSin semi-inclusive DIS at CLAS12 and EIC within the collinear framework

We study the longitudinal-transverse double-spin asymmetry with a $\cos\phi_S$ modulation in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering for charged and neutral pions production. We consider the particular case in which the transverse momentum of the final state hadron is integrated out. The corresponding asymmetry may be contributed by two parts: one is the convolution of the twist-3 distribution function $g_{T}(x)$ and the unpolarized fragmentation function $D_1(z)$, the other is related to the coupling of the transversity distribution function $h_1(x)$ and the collinear twist-3 fragmentation function $\tilde{E}(z)$. We take into account both contributions to predict the $\cos\phi_S$ asymmetry at the kinematics of CLAS12 and a future Electron Ion Collider. We find that the asymmetry of pion production at CLAS12 is sizable, and $\tilde{E}(z)$ can play an important role in the asymmetry in the large-$z$ region.

Asymmetries in heavy quark pair and dijet production at an EIC

Asymmetries in heavy quark pair and dijet production in electron-proton collisions allow studies of gluon TMDs in close analogy to studies of quark TMDs in semi-inclusive DIS. Here we present expressions for azimuthal asymmetries for both unpolarized and transversely polarized proton cases and consider the maximal asymmetries allowed. The latter are found to be rather sizeable, except in certain kinematic limits which are pointed out. In addition, we consider the small-x limit and expectations from a McLerran-Venugopalan model for unpolarized and linearly polarized gluons and from a perturbative, large transverse momentum calculation for the T-odd gluon TMDs. Comparison to related observables at RHIC and LHC is expected to provide valuable information about the process dependence of the gluon TMDs. In particular this will offer the possibility of a sign change test of the gluon Sivers TMD and two other T-odd gluon TMDs. This provides additional motivation for studies of azimuthal asymmetries in heavy quark pair and dijet production at a future Electron-Ion Collider.

Phenomenology of transverse spin: Past, present and future

We summarize the most significant aspects in the study of transverse spin phenomena over the last few decades, focusing on Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering processes and hadronic production in e + e - annihilations. The phenomenology of transverse-momentum-dependent distribution and fragmentation functions will be reviewed in an in-depth analysis of the most recent developments and of the future perspectives.

Experimental results on TMDs

QCD factorisation for semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (DIS) at low transverse momentum in the current-fragmentation region has been established recently, providing a rigorous basis to study the transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) distribution and fragmentation functions of partons from semi-inclusive DIS data using different spin-dependent and spin-independent observables. The main focus of the experiments were the measurements of various single- and double-spin asymmetries in hadron electro-production ( $ e p^{\uparrow} \rightarrow ehX$ with unpolarised, longitudinally and transversely polarised targets. The joint use of a longitudinally polarised beam and longitudinally and transversely polarised targets allowed to measure double-spin asymmetries related to leading-twist distribution functions describing the transverse-momentum distribution of longitudinally and transversely polarised quarks in a longitudinally and transversely polarised nucleons (helicity and worm-gear TMDs). The single-spin asymmetries measured with transversely polarised targets, provided access to specific leading-twist parton distribution functions: the transversity, the Sivers function and the so-called “pretzelosity” function. In this review we present the current status and some future measurements of TMDs worldwide.

Consistency check of charged hadron multiplicities and fragmentation functions in SIDIS

We derived the conditions on certain combinations of integrals of the fragmentation functions of pion using HERMES data of the sum for the charged pion multiplicities from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) off the deuteron target. In our derivation the nucleon parton distribution functions (PDFs) are assumed to be isospin SU(2) symmetric. Similar conditions have also been obtained for the fragmentation functions (FFs) of kaon by the sum of charged kaon multiplicities as well. We have chosen several FFs to study the impact of those conditions we have derived. Among those FFs, only that produced in the nonlocal chiral-quark model (NL$\chi$QM) constantly satisfy the conditions. Furthermore, the ratios of the strange PDFs $S(x)$ and the nonstrange PDFs $Q(x,Q^2)$ extracted from the charged pion and kaon multiplicities differ from each other significantly. Finally, we demonstrate that the HERMES pion multiplicity data is unlikely to be compatible with the two widely-used PDFs, namely CTEQ6M and NNPDF3.0.

Lattice QCD study of the Boer-Mulders effect in a pion

The three-dimensional momenta of quarks inside a hadron are encoded in transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). This work presents an exploratory lattice QCD study of a TMD observable in the pion describing the Boer-Mulders effect, which is related to polarized quark transverse momentum in an unpolarized hadron. Particular emphasis is placed on the behavior as a function of a Collins-Soper evolution parameter quantifying the relative rapidity of the struck quark and the initial hadron, e.g., in a semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) process. The lattice calculation, performed at the pion mass m_pi = 518 MeV, utilizes a definition of TMDs via hadronic matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator with a staple-shaped gauge connection; in this context, the evolution parameter is related to the staple direction. By parametrizing the aforementioned matrix elements in terms of invariant amplitudes, the problem can be cast in a Lorentz frame suited for the lattice calculation. In contrast to an earlier nucleon study, due to the lower mass of the pion, the calculated data enable quantitative statements about the physically interesting limit of large relative rapidity. In passing, the similarity between the Boer-Mulders effects extracted in the pion and the nucleon is noted.

Extracting the kaon Collins function frome+e−hadron pair production data

The latest data released by the BaBar Collaboration on azimuthal correlations measured for pion-kaon and kaon-kaon pairs produced in $e^+e^-$ annihilations allow, for the first time, a direct extraction of the kaon Collins functions. These functions are then used to compute the kaon Collins asymmetries in Semi Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering processes, which result in good agreement with the measurements performed by the HERMES and COMPASS Collaborations.

Lambda production in the DIS target fragmentation region

By using a recently obtained set of Lambda fracture functions, we present predictions for Lambda production in the target fragmentation region of Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering in CLAS@12 GeV kinematics, supplemented with a conservative error estimates. We discuss a number of observables sensitive to the assumptions of the underlying theory and many of the assumptions of the proposed phenomenological model.

QCD Factorization of Semi-Inclusive DIS Process at Operator Level**Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11275242

The operator level proof of factorization theorem exhibited in [arXiv:hep-ph/1307.4194] is extended to the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering process(SIDIS). Factorization theorem can be proved at operator level if there are not detected soft hadrons. The key point is that the initial one-nucleon state is the eigenstate of QCD.

Twist-3 contributions in semi-inclusive DIS with transversely polarized target

Abstract We study semi-inclusive DIS with a transversely polarized target in the approach of collinear factorization. The effects related to the transverse polarization are at twist-3. We derive the complete result of twist-3 contributions to the relevant hadronic tensor at leading order of α s , and construct correspondingly experimental observables. Measuring these observables will help to extract the twist-2 transversity distribution, twist-3 distributions and twist-3 fragmentation functions of the produced unpolarized hadron. A detailed comparison with the approach of transverse-momentum-dependent factorization is made.

Studies of the nucleon structure in back-to-back SIDIS

The Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) proved to be a great tool in testing of the theory of strong interactions, which was a major focus in last decades. Semi-Inclusive DIS (SIDIS), with detection of an additional hadron allowed first studies of 3D structure of the nucleon, moving the main focus from testing the QCD to understanding of strong interactions and quark gluon dynamics to address a number of puzzles accumulated in recent years. Detection of two hadrons in SIDIS, which is even more complicated, provides access to details of quark gluon interactions inaccessible in single-hadron SIDIS, providing a new avenue to study the complex nucleon structure. Large acceptance of the Electron Ion Collider, allowing detection of two hadrons, produced back-to-back in the current and target fragmentation regions, combined with clear separation of two regions, would provide a unique possibility to study the nucleon structure in target fragmentation region, and correlations of target and current fragmentation regions.

Key Future Measurements of TMDs at Jefferson Lab and Other Facilities

Transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) provide a description of nucleon structure in terms of the parton transverse momentum and its transverse spin. At leading twist there are eight TMDs, each offering a unique feature of quarks in a polarized or an unpolarized nucleon. The Sivers distribution is one of the most interesting TMD due to its non-universality. It has been extracted using the data from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS), but there is no data yet from spin-dependent Drell-Yan (DY) process. Such measurement will provide a crucial test of TMD formalism which predicts an equal magnitude and opposite sign for the Sivers function extracted from SIDIS and DY process. We will discuss key future measurements of TMDs using both SIDIS and DY process with a focus on Hall A SoLID SIDIS program at Jefferson Lab.

Spin-Directed Momentum Transfers in SIDIS Baryon Production

The measurement of transverse single-spin asymmetries for baryon production in the target fragmentation region of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS), can produce important insight into those nonperturbative aspects of QCD directly associated with confinement and with the dynamical breaking of chiral symmetry. We discuss here, interns of spin-directed momentum transfers, the powerful quantum field-theoretical constraints on the spin-orbit dynamics underlying these transverse spin observables. The spin-directed momentum shifts, originating either in the target nucleon or in the QCD jets produced in the deep inelastic scattering process, represent significant quantum entanglement effects connecting information from current fragmentation with observables in target fragmentation.

Azimuthal Asymmetries for eA/eN Semi-Inclusive DIS and Its Nuclear Dependence

We applied collinear expansion to the semi-inclusive deeply inelastic lepton-nucleon (nucleus) scattering process [Formula: see text] with both polarized beam and polarized target up to twist-3, and unpolarized process up to twist-4. The differential cross section and azimuthal asymmetries are expressed in terms of gauge invariant twist-3 and twist-4 TMD parton distribution/correlation functions. Measurements of such azimuthal asymmetries provide methods to study different spin and transverse momentum aspects of the partonic structure of nucleon. We further study the nuclear dependence of azimuthal asymmetries and adopt Gaussian ansatz for TMD distribution/correlation functions to estimat the semi-quantitive behaviour of the nuclear dependence. We predict the A-dependence of azimuthal asymmetries which can be tested in the planned EIC’s.