Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Parton distributions”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Description of di-hadron saturation signals within a universal nuclear parton distribution function approach

Di-hadron and di-jet correlation measurements in proton-nucleus (𝑝+𝐴) and electron-nucleus collisions are widely motivated as sensitive probes of novel, nonlinear quantum chromodynamices saturation dynamics in hadrons, which are particularly accessible in the dense nuclear environment at low values of Bjorken-𝑥 (𝑥 A ). Current measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) observe a significant suppression in the per-trigger yield at forward rapidities compared to that in proton-proton collisions, nominally consistent with the “mono-jet” production expected in a saturation scenario. However, the width of the azimuthal correlation remains unmodified, in contradiction to the qualitative expectations from this physics picture. I investigate whether the construction of these observables leaves them sensitive to effects from simple nuclear shadowing as captured by, for example, universal nuclear parton distribution function (nPDF) analyses. I find that modern nPDF sets, informed by recent precision measurements sensitive to the shadowing of low-𝑥 A gluon densities in LHC and other data, can describe all or the majority of the di-hadron/jet suppression effects in 𝑝+𝐴 data at both RHIC and the LHC, while giving a natural explanation for why the azimuthal correlation width is unmodified. Notably, this is achieved via a (𝑥 A ,𝑄 2 )-differential suppression of overall cross sections only, without requiring additional physics dynamics which alter the interevent correlations.

Jets & heavy flavor physics↗

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

The second Mellin moments ⟨ x ⟩ of the nucleon’s unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions are computed. Two lattice QCD ensembles at the physical pion mass are used: these were generated using a tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action and 2 + 1 flavor tree-level improved Wilson Clover fermions coupling via 2-level HEX-smearing. The moments are extracted from forward matrix elements of local leading twist operators. We determine renomalization factors in RI-(S)MOM and match to MS ¯ at scale 2 GeV. Our findings show that operators that exhibit vanishing kinematics at zero momentum can have significantly reduced excited-state contamination. The resulting polarized moment is used to quantify the longitudinal contribution to the quark spin-orbit correlation. All our results agree within two sigma with previous lattice results. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Combining lattice QCD and phenomenological inputs on generalised parton distributions at moderate skewness

Abstract We present a systematic study demonstrating the impact of lattice QCD data on the extraction of generalised parton distributions (GPDs). For this purpose, we use a previously developed modelling of GPDs based on machine learning techniques fulfilling the theoretical requirements of polynomiality, a form of positivity constraint and known reduction limits. A special care is given to estimate the uncertainty stemming from the ill-posed character of the connection between GPDs and the experimental processes usually considered to constrain them, like deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS). Moke lattice QCD data inputs are included in a Bayesian framework to a prior model based on an Artificial Neural Network. This prior model is fitted to reproduce the most experimentally accessible information of a phenomenological extraction by Goloskokov and Kroll. We highlight the impact of the precision, correlation and kinematic coverage of lattice data on GPD extraction at moderate $$\xi $$ ξ which has only been brushed in the literature so far, paving the way for a joint extraction of GPDs.

Physics↗

Confronting lattice parton distributions with global QCD analysis

We present the first Monte Carlo based global QCD analysis of spin-averaged and spin-dependent parton distribution functions (PDFs) that includes nucleon isovector matrix elements in coordinate space from lattice QCD. We investigate the degree of universality of the extracted PDFs when the lattice and experimental data are treated under the same conditions within the Bayesian likelihood analysis. For the unpolarized sector, we find rather weak constraints from the current lattice data on the phenomenological PDFs, and difficulties in describing the lattice matrix elements at large spatial distances. In contrast, for the polarized PDFs we find good agreement between experiment and lattice data, with the latter providing significant constraints on the spin-dependent isovector quark and antiquark distributions.

Sato, Nobuo↗

Unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distributions of the nucleon from lattice QCD

We present a first lattice QCD calculation of the unpolarized nucleon’s isovector transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs), which are essential to predict observables of multiscale, semi-inclusive processes in the standard model. We use a N f = 2 + 1 + 1 MILC ensemble with valence clover fermions on a highly improved staggered quark (HISQ) sea to compute the quark momentum distributions in a large-momentum nucleon on the lattice. The state-of-the-art techniques in renormalization and extrapolation in the correlation distance on the lattice are adopted. The perturbative kernel up to next-to-next-to-leading order is taken into account, and the dependence on the pion mass and the hadron momentum is explored. Our results are qualitatively comparable with phenomenological TMDPDFs, which provide an opportunity to predict high energy scatterings from first principles. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Generalized parton distributions from lattice QCD with asymmetric momentum transfer: Unpolarized quarks at nonzero skewness

We extend the formalism of asymmetric frames of reference for generalized parton distributions (GPDs) to the case of nonzero skewness, i.e., including longitudinal momentum transfer. The framework, based on Lorentz-invariant amplitudes and previously developed and numerically implemented for unpolarized, helicity and transversity GPDs at zero skewness, gives efficient access to a broad range of kinematics, making full mapping of GPDs from the lattice realistic. The general-skewness formalism is tested using lattice data with both transverse and longitudinal or only longitudinal momentum transfer, the latter being a special case with a reduced number of independent amplitudes. We extract the amplitudes in coordinate space and express the GPDs 𝐻 and 𝐸 in terms of these amplitudes. This is followed by reconstruction of quasidistributions and their matching to the light cone. We further identify and discuss the principal challenges for nonzero skewness GPDs.

Lattice QCD↗

Determination of the parton distribution functions of the proton from ATLAS measurements of differential W ± and Z boson production in association with jets

This article presents a new set of proton parton distribution functions, AT-LASepWZVjet20, produced in an analysis at next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD. The new data sets considered are the measurements of W + and W - boson and Z boson production in association with jets in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8TeV performed by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC with integrated luminosities of 20.2 fb -1 and 19.9 fb -1 , respectively. The analysis also considers the ATLAS measurements of differential W ± and Z boson production at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7TeV with an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb -1 and deep-inelastic-scattering data from e ± p collisions at the HERA accelerator. An improved determination of the sea-quark densities at high Bjorken x is shown, while confirming a strange-quark density similar in size to the up- and down-sea-quark densities in the range x ≲ 0.02 found by previous ATLAS analyses.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Generalized parton distributions from lattice QCD with asymmetric momentum transfer: Axial-vector case

Recently, we made significant advancements in improving the computational efficiency of lattice QCD calculations for generalized parton distributions (GPDs). This progress was achieved by adopting calculations of matrix elements in asymmetric frames, deviating from the computationally-expensive symmetric frame typically used, and allowing freedom in the choice for the distribution of the momentum transfer between the initial and final states. A crucial aspect of this approach involves the adoption of a Lorentz covariant parametrization for the matrix elements, introducing Lorentz-invariant amplitudes. This approach also allows us to propose an alternative definition of quasi-GPDs, ensuring frame independence and potentially reduce power corrections in matching to light cone GPDs. In our previous work, we presented lattice QCD results for twist-2 unpolarized GPDs ( H and E ) of quarks obtained from calculations performed in asymmetric frames at zero skewness. Building upon this work, we now introduce a novel Lorentz covariant parametrization for the axial-vector matrix elements. We employ this parametrization to compute the axial-vector GPD H ˜ at zero skewness, using an N f = 2 + 1 + 1 ensemble of twisted mass fermions with clover improvement. The light-quark masses employed in our calculations correspond to a pion mass of approximately 260 MeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nonlocal chiral anomaly and generalized parton distributions

We discuss the nonlocal generalization of the QCD chiral anomaly along the light cone and derive relations between twist-two, twist-three, and twist-four generalized parton distributions (GPDs) mediated by the anomaly. We further establish the connection to the “anomaly pole” in the GPD E ˜ recently identified in the perturbative calculation of the Compton scattering amplitudes, and demonstrate its cancellation at the GPD level. Our work helps elucidate the previously unexplored connection between GPDs, the chiral anomaly, and the mass generation of the η ′ meson. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Third moments of nucleon unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions from physical-point lattice QCD

Using forward matrix elements of local leading-twist operators, we present a determination of the isovector third Mellin moments ⟨𝑥 2 ⟩ of nucleon unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions. Two lattice QCD ensembles at the physical pion mass are used, which were generated using a tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action and 2+1 flavor tree-level improved Wilson Clover fermions coupling via 2-level HEX-smearing. Leveraging a wide set of operators, two extraction methods for the matrix elements, and the automatic inclusion of model uncertainties via bootstrapped model averages, we extract values of the third Mellin moments. Furthermore, this is the first direct calculation of these observables performed at the physical pion mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Exploring baryon resonances with transition generalized parton distributions: status and perspectives

QCD gives rise to a rich spectrum of excited baryon states. Understanding their internal structure is important for many areas of nuclear physics, such as nuclear forces, dense matter, and neutrino-nucleus interactions. Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are an established tool for characterizing the QCD structure of the ground-state nucleon. They are used to create 3D tomographic images of the quark/gluon structure and quantify the mechanical properties such as the distribution of mass, angular momentum, and forces in the system. Transition GPDs extend these concepts to N → N* transitions and can be used to characterize the 3D structure and mechanical properties of baryon resonances. They can be probed in high-momentum-transfer exclusive electroproduction processes with resonance transitions e + N → e' + M + N*, such as deeply-virtual Compton scattering (M = γ) or meson production (M = π, K, etc.), and in related photon/hadron-induced processes. This White Paper describes a research program aiming to explore baryon resonance structure with transition GPDs. This includes the properties and interpretation of the transition GPDs, theoretical methods for structures and processes, first experimental results from JLab 12 GeV, future measurements with existing and planned facilities (JLab detector and energy upgrades, COMPASS/AMBER, EIC, EicC, J-PARC, LHC ultraperipheral collisions), and the theoretical and experimental developments needed to realize this program.

Experimental Nuclear Physics↗

Generalized parton distributions and gravitational form factors at large momentum transfer

Within the soft collinear effective theory (SCET), we derive a factorization theorem which resums Sudakov logarithms (α s ln 2 ( –t)) n to all orders in the quark-in-quark generalized parton distribution (GPD) at large momentum transfer t, and perform a consistency check to one-loop. We show that the same Sudakov factor appears in the ‘Feynman’ contribution to the GPDs of the nucleon. Our result enables the resummation of all the large logarithms ln Q 2 and ln 2 t in exclusive processes with two hard scales Λ$^{2}_{QCD}$ ≪ |t| ≪ Q 2 . We also present a SCET power counting analysis of the Feynman contributions to the GPDs and show that the x-dependence of GPDs factorizes at large-t with controlled corrections. This in particular implies that any ratio of GPD moments such as the electromagnetic and gravitational form factors (GFF) is perturbatively calculable in this approximation. Furthermore, we identify a novel order α s power-law t-dependence in the GPD and the D-type GFF that will dominate over the standard order α$^{2}_{s}$ ‘leading twist’ asymptotic contribution in the phenomenologically relevant region of t.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Parton distribution function uncertainties in theoretical predictions for far-forward tau neutrinos at the Large Hadron Collider

New experiments dealing with neutrinos in the far-forward region at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are under design or already in preparation. Two of them, FASERν and SND@LHC, are expected to be active during Run 3 and have the potential to detect the interactions of ν and $\bar {v}$ that come from high-energy collisions in one of the LHC interaction points, extracted along the direction tangent to the beam line. Tau neutrinos and antineutrinos come predominantly from $D^{±}_{s}$ production in pp collisions, followed by the leptonic decay of these mesons. Neutrino pseudorapidities in the range of η > 6.9 and η > 8.9 are relevant to these future experiments. At such pseudorapidities at high energies, QCD theoretical predictions for the flux of ν τ plus $\bar {v}_τ$ rely on parton distribution functions (PDFs) in a combination of very small and large parton–x values. We evaluate PDF un certainties affecting the flux of ν τ + $\bar {v}_τ$ produced by $D^{±}_{s}$ decay in the far forward region at the LHC. Next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD uncertainties are included in the calculation of $D^{±}_{s}$ production and NLO PDF sets are used for consistency. The theoretical uncertainty associated with the 40 PDF sets of the PROSA19 group amounts to ±(20 – 30)% for the (ν τ + $\bar {v}_τ$) number of charged-current (CC) events. Scale uncertainties are much larger, resulting in a range of CC event predictions from ~70% lower to ~90% higher than the central prediction. A comparison of the predictions with those obtained using as input the central PDFs from the 3-flavour NLO PDF sets of the CT14, ABMP16 and NNPDF3.1 collaborations show that far-forward neutrino energy distributions vary by as much as a factor of ~2 – 4 relative to the PROSA19 predictions at TeV neutrino energies. The Forward Physics Facility in the high luminosity LHC era will provide data capable of constraining NLO QCD evaluations with these PDF sets.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Solving challenges in QCD 3D partonic distributions

The superior luminosity and high polarization of CEBAF, combined with the high resolution and excellent particle identification capabilities of its detectors, as well as the ability for multidimensional and multiparticle detection using polarized targets, make Jefferson Lab uniquely positioned to disentangle the genuine intrinsic transverse structure of hadrons encoded in 3D partonic distributions—particularly in the kinematic regime dominated by valence quarks. The inclusion of Jefferson Lab data on semi-inclusive and hard exclusive hadron production has the potential to dramatically advance our understanding of non-perturbative QCD dynamics. Although a wealth of data from various Jefferson Lab experiments is already available, its incorporation into phenomenological studies has been slow, and a significant portion of data from other leptoproduction experiments is still missing from global fits. In this contribution, we discuss the existing challenges and outline a path forward for improving the analysis of low center-of-mass electroproduction experiments in general, and Jefferson Lab data in particular.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Phenomenology of TMD parton distributions in Drell-Yan and 𝑍 0 boson production in a hadron structure oriented approach

We present a first practical implementation of a recently proposed hadron structure oriented (HSO) approach to transverse momentum dependent (TMD) phenomenology applied to Drell-Yan-like processes, including lepton pair production at moderate 𝑄 2 and 𝑍 0 boson production. We compare and contrast general features of our methodology with other common practices and emphasize aspects that we view as improvements. Separately, we discuss the importance of treatments that preserve various theoretical properties of the nonperturbative parts of TMD parametrizations for future applications that have the extraction of hadron structure as a primary goal. These include the HSO’s preservation of a basic TMD parton-model-like framework even while accounting for full TMD factorization and evolution, explicit preservation of the integral relationship between TMD and collinear parton density functions, and the ability to meaningfully compare different theoretical models of nonperturbative TMD parton distributions. In our examples, we show that there is significant sensitivity at moderate 𝑄 2 to both the form of the nonperturbative transverse momentum dependence and the parametrization of collinear parton densities. However, we also find that evolving to 𝑄 2 =𝑀$^2_𝑍$, without fitting, results in a satisfactory postdiction of existing data for 𝑍0 production, nearly independently of the modeling of nonperturbative transverse momentum behavior. We argue that this demonstrates that moderate 𝑄 measurements should be given greater weight than high 𝑄 measurements in extractions of nonperturbative transverse momentum dependence. We also obtain new extractions of the nonperturbative Collins-Soper kernel within the HSO approach. We discuss its features and compare with some earlier extractions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Window observables for benchmarking parton distribution functions

Global analysis of collider and fixed-target experimental data and calculations from lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) are used to gain complementary information on the structure of hadrons. We propose novel ``window observables'' that allow for higher precision cross-validation between the different approaches, a critical step for studies that wish to combine the datasets. Global analyses are limited by the kinematic regions accessible to experiment, particularly in a range of Bjorken-x, and lattice QCD calculations also have limitations requiring extrapolations to obtain the parton distributions. We provide two different ``window observables'' that can be defined within a region of x where extrapolations and interpolations in global analyses remain reliable and where lattice QCD results retain sensitivity and precision.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Gluon parton distribution of the pion from lattice QCD

We present the first determination of the x-dependent pion gluon distribution from lattice QCD using the pseudo-PDF approach. We use lattice ensembles with 2+1+1 flavors of highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ), generated by MILC Collaboration, at two lattice spacings a ≈ 0.12 and 0.15 fm and three pion masses M π ≈ 220, 310 and 690 MeV. We use clover fermions for the valence action and momentum smearing to achieve pion boost momentum up to 2.29 GeV. We find that the dependence of the pion gluon parton distribution on lattice spacing and pion mass is mild. We compare our results from the lightest pion mass ensemble with the determination by JAM and xFitter global fits.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗