Exclusive Pion-production and the Relation to Transversity
Gary R. Goldstein, Simonetta Liuti
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4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the XVI International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects (DIS 2008), 7-11 April 2008, University College London
Exclusive $π^0$ electroproduction from nucleons is suggested for extracting the tensor charge and other quantities related to transversity from experimental data. This process isolates C-parity odd and chiral odd combinations of t-channel exchange quantum numbers. In a hadronic picture it connects the meson production amplitudes to C-odd Regge exchanges with final state interactions. In a description based on partonic degrees of freedom, the helicity structure for this C-odd process relates to the quark helicity flip, or chiral odd generalized parton distributions.
Exclusive pi0 electroproduction from nucleons can be related to transversity, the tensor charge, and other quantities related to transversity. This process isolates C-parity odd and chiral odd combinations of t-channel exchange quantum numbers. In a hadronic picture the meson production amplitudes for intermediate energy and Q are determined by C-odd Regge exchanges with final state interactions. The helicity structure for this C-odd process relates to the quark helicity flip, or chiral odd generalized parton distributions (GPDs).Various cross sections and asymmetries will be sensitive to the …
We show that the leading twist contribution to exclusive electroproduction of transversely polarized vector mesons vanishes at all orders in perturbation theory. Therefore one cannot extract information on the quark transversity distribution of the nucleon from this reaction. In turn one has that the produced vector meson is purely longitudinal in the large-Q^2 limit, which provides a new test of the dominance of leading twist at finite Q^2.
The role of transversity or helicity-flip generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in leptoproduction of vector mesons is investigated within the framework of the handbag approach. The transversity GPDs in combination with twist-3 meson wave functions, occur in the amplitudes for transitions from a transversely polarized virtual photon to a longitudinal polarized vector meson. The importance of the transversity GPDs can be examined in some of the spin density matrix elements and in transverse target spin asymmetries. Using suitable parametrizations of both helicity-flip and non-flip GPDs, which…
Exclusive $π^0$ electroproduction from nucleons at large $Q^2$ can be described by Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), particularly the chiral odd subset related to transversity. These GPDs can be accessed experimentally from various cross sections and asymmetries. We calculate these GPDs in a spectator model, constrained by boundary functions. Alternatively, in a hadronic picture the meson production amplitudes correspond to C-odd Regge exchanges with final state interactions. The helicity structure provides relations between the partonic and the hadronic, Regge description of C-odd, chi…
We investigate exclusive electroproduction of vector and pseudoscalar mesons at large photon virtuality $Q^2$. These reactions were analyzed within the handbag approach where amplitudes factorize into hard subprocesses and generalized parton distributions (GPDs). The essential role of transversity effects were found in pseudoscalar and light vector meson leptoproduction. These contributions are important at low $Q^2$ and determined by twist-3 effects accompanied by transversity GPDs. The transversity contributions lead to large transverse cross sections for most reactions of pseudoscalar meson…
In this talk it is reported on an analysis of hard exclusive pion electroproduction within the handbag approach. Particular emphasis is laid on single-spin asymmetries. It is argued that a recent HERMES measurement of asymmetries measured with a transversely polarized target clearly indicate the occurrence of strong contributions from transversely polarized photons. Within the handbag approach such gamma_T --> pion transitions are described by the transversity GPDs accompanied by a twist-3 pion wave function. It is shown that this approach leads to results on cross sections and single-spin asy…
It is studied the possibility of direct extraction of the transversity and its accompanying T-odd parton distribution function (PDF) from Drell-Yan (DY) processes with unpolarized pion beam and with both unpolarized and transversely polarized proton targets. At present, such a measurement can be performed on the COMPASS experiment at CERN. The preliminary estimations performed for COMPASS kinematic region demonstrate that it is quite real to extract both transversity and its accompanying T-odd PDF in the COMPASS conditions
We show that in hard exclusive electroproduction, ep-->eVp, the leading-twist hard-scattering coefficient for the production of a transversely polarized vector meson V vanishes to all orders of perturbation theory. This implies that this process cannot be used to measure the skewed transversity distribution of quarks in a hadron. In contrast, a recent calculation obtained a non-zero value at NLO. We show that this calculation is incorrect because it failed to include the necessary collinear subtractions. Our method of proof also applies to other processes whose hard-scattering coefficients are…
A method is discussed to determine the hitherto unknown u-quark transversity distribution from a planned HERMES measurement of a single-spin asymmetry in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction off a transversely polarized target. Assuming u-quark dominance, the measurement yields the shapes of the transversity distribution and of the ratio of a polarized and the unpolarized u-quark fragmentation functions. The unknown relative normalization can be obtained by identifying the transversity distribution with the well-known helicity distribution at large x. The systematic uncertainty of the method …
We show that the transverse momentum dependent transversity function is proportional to the longitudinal polarization of a quark in a transversely polarized proton. This result suggests an alternative, convenient method for determining transversity, without knowing unusual fragmentation functions. The method consists of measuring the double spin azimuthal asymmetry in semi-inclusive pion leptoproduction by a transversely polarized proton target. The asymmetry, which is twist 3, is estimated to be more than 10% under the most favorable conditions. The experiment we suggest is feasible at facili…
The transversity form factors of the pion, involving matrix elements of bilocal tensor currents, are evaluated in chiral quark models, both in the local Nambu--Jona-Lasinio with the Pauli-Villars regularization, as well as in nonlocal models involving momentum-dependent quark mass. After suitable QCD evolution the agreement with recent lattice calculations is very good, in accordance to the fact that the spontaneously broken chiral symmetry governs the dynamics of the pion. Meson dominance of form factors with expected meson masses also works properly, conforming to the parton-hadron duality i…
The transversity generalized parton distributions (tGPDs) of the the pion, involving matrix elements of the tensor bilocal quark current, are analyzed in chiral quark models. We apply the nonlocal chiral models involving a momentum-dependent quark mass, as well as the local Nambu--Jona-Lasinio with the Pauli-Villars regularization to calculate the pion tGPDs, as well as related quantities following from restrained kinematics, evaluation of moments, or taking the Fourier-Bessel transforms to the impact-parameter space. The obtained distributions satisfy the formal requirements, such as proper s…
The exclusive $π^0$ electroproduction is analyzed within the handbag approach based on Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) factorization. We consider the leading-twist contribution together with the transversity effects. It is shown that the transversity, $H_T$ and $\bar E_T$ GPDs are essential in the description of $π^0$ cross section. Predictions for future Electron-Ion Collider of China (EicC) energy range are done. It is found that transversity dominance $σ_T\ggσ_L$, observed at low energies is valid up to EicC energy range.
Both meson photoproduction and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering can potentially probe transversity properties of the nucleon. We explore how that potential can be realized dynamically. The role of rescattering in both exclusive and inclusive meson production as a source for single spin asymmetries is examined. Using a dynamical model, we evaluate the spin independent $\cos 2ϕ$ asymmetry associated with transversity of quarks inside unpolarized hadrons, at HERMES kinematics. We also explore the effects of rescattering on the transversity distribution of the nucleon.
A model for dihadron fragmentation functions is briefly outlined, that describes the fragmentation of a quark in two unpolarized hadrons. The parameters are tuned to the output of the PYTHIA event generator for two-hadron semi-inclusive production in deep inelastic scattering at HERMES. Then, predictions are made for the unknown polarized fragmentation function and the related single-spin asymmetry in the azimuthal distribution of $π^+ π^-$ pairs in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering on transversely polarized targets at HERMES and COMPASS. This asymmetry can be used to extract the quark …
We describe the chiral quark model evaluation of the transversity Generalized Parton Distributions (tGPDs) and related transversity form factors (tFFs) of the pion. The obtained tGPDs satisfy all necessary formal requirements, such as the proper support, normalization, and polynomiality. The lowest tFFs, after the necessary QCD evolution, compare favorably to the recent lattice QCD determination. Thus the transversity observables of the pion support once again the fact that the spontaneously broken chiral symmetry governs the structure of the Goldstone pion. The proper QCD evolution is crucial…
The transversity Generalized Parton Distributions (tGPDs) and related transversity form factors of the pion are evaluated in chiral quark models, both local (Nambu--Jona-Lasinio) and nonlocal, involving a momentum-dependent quark mass. The obtained tGPDs satisfy all a priori formal requirements, such as the proper support, normalization, and polynomiality. We evaluate generalized transversity form factors accessible from the recent lattice QCD calculations. These form factors, after the necessary QCD evolution, agree very well with the lattice data, confirming the fact that the spontaneously b…
We present calculation on the azimuthal spin asymmetries for pion pair production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) process at both HERMES and COMPASS kinematics, with transversely polarized proton, deuteron and neutron targets. We calculate the asymmetry by adopting a set of parametrization of the interference fragmentation functions and two different models for the transversity. We find that the result for the proton target is insensitive to the approaches of the transversity but more helpful to understand the interference fragmentation functions. However, for the neutron t…
Both meson photoproduction and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering can potentially probe transversity in the nucleon. We explore how that potential can be realized dynamically. The role of rescattering in both exclusive and inclusive meson production as a source for transverse polarization asymmetry is examined. We use a dynamical model to calculate the asymmetry and relate that to the transversity distribution of the nucleon.
Exclusive $π^o$ electroproduction and related processes are suggested to investigate the chiral odd transversity distributions of quarks in the transversely polarized nucleon, $h_1(x)$, and its first moment, the tensor charge. The connection between a description based on partonic degrees of freedom, given in terms of generalized parton distributions, and Regge phenomenology is explored.
We discuss in detail the option to access the transversity distribution function $h_1(x)$ by utilizing the analyzing power of interference fragmentation functions in two-pion production inside the same current jet. The transverse polarization of the fragmenting quark is related to the transverse component of the relative momentum of the hadron pair via a new azimuthal angle. As a specific example, we spell out thoroughly the way to extract $h_1(x)$ from a measured single spin asymmetry in two-pion inclusive lepton-nucleon scattering. To estimate the sizes of observable effects we employ a spec…
Exclusive meson leptoproduction from nucleons in the deeply virtual exchanged boson limit can be described by generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Including spin dependence in the description requires 8 independent quark-parton and gluon-parton functions. The chiral even subset of 4 quark-nucleon GPDs are related to nucleon form factors and to parton distribution functions. The chiral odd set of 4 quark-nucleon GPDs are related to transversity, the tensor charge, and other quantities related to transversity. Different meson or photon production processes access different combinations of GP…
We define twist-two and twist-three quark fragmentation functions in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and study their physical implications. Using this formalism we show how the nucleon's transversity distribution can be measured in single pion inclusive electroproduction.
We calculate at the leading order in $α_s$ the QCD amplitude for exclusive neutrino production of a $D^*$ or $D_s^*$ charmed vector meson on a nucleon. We work in the framework of the collinear QCD approach where generalized parton distributions (GPDs) factorize from perturbatively calculable coefficient functions. We include $O(m_c)$ terms in the coefficient functions and $O(m_D)$ term in the definition of heavy meson distribution amplitudes. The show that the analysis of the angular distribution of the decay $D_{(s)}^*\to D_{(s)} π$ allows to access the transversity gluon GPDs.
We consider the leading and sub-leading twist $T$-odd and even contributions to the $\cos 2ϕ$ azimuthal asymmetry in unpolarized dilepton production in Drell-Yan Scattering and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering of pions.
Observations of the transversity parton distribution based on an analysis of pion-pair production in deep inelastic scattering off transversely polarized targets are presented. This extraction relies on the knowledge of dihadron fragmentation functions, which are obtained from electron-positron annihilation measurements. This is the first attempt to determine the transversity distribution in the framework of collinear factorization.
We discuss the quark transversity distribution function and a possible way to access it through the measurement of single spin azimuthal asymmetry in semi-inclusive single pion electroproduction on a transversely polarized target.
We consider a rescattering mechanism to calculate a leading twist $T$-odd pion fragmentation function, a candidate for filtering the transversity properties of the nucleon. We evaluate the single spin azimuthal asymmetry for a transversely polarized target in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (for HERMES kinematics) and the double $T$-odd $\cos2ϕ$ asymmetry in this framework.
We report a state-of-the-art lattice calculation of the isovector quark transversity distribution of the proton at the physical pion mass. Within the framework of large-momentum effective theory (LaMET), we compute the transversity quasi-distributions using clover valence fermions on 2+1+1-flavor (up/down, strange, charm) HISQ-lattice configurations with boosted proton momenta as large as 3.0~GeV. The relevant lattice matrix elements are nonperturbatively renormalized in regularization-independent momentum-subtraction (RI/MOM) scheme and systematically matched to the physical transversity dist…
We analyze the equal-time Bethe-Salpeter quark wave functions of the pion in various models. We discuss how the quenched lattice QCD results with delocalized pion interpolators can be identified with the coarse grained wave functions, typical of low-energy effective models. Actually, we find that one-loop chiral quark models predict that pseudoscalar and tensor wave functions have the same shape, while the axial component is more extended. These facts are accurately confirmed by the lattice. We also show how the transversity information, relevant for the light-cone physics, can be straightforw…
The azimuthal asymmetry observed by the HERMES collaboration in semi-inclusive pion production in deep inelastic scattering of unpolarized positron on the longitudinally polarized proton target, can provide information of the quark transversity distributions of the nucleon. We show that the quark transversity distributions predicted both by the light-cone quark-spectator-diquark model and by a pQCD inspired model can give consistent descriptions of the available HERMES data for the analyzing powers $A_{UL}^{\sin ϕ}$ and $A_{UL}^{\sin 2 ϕ}$ for $π^+$ and $π^-$ productions. We also show that the…
We calculate the non-zero (naïve) T-odd transverse momentum dependent transversity distribution $h_1^{\perp}(x,\kp^2)$ of the pion in a quark-spectator-antiquark model. The final-state interaction is modelled by the approximation of one gluon exchange between the quark and the antiquark spectator. Using our model result we estimate the unsuppressed cos2$ϕ$ azimuthal asymmetry in unpolarized $π^-p$ Drell-Yan process. We find that the transverse momentum dependence of $h_1^{\perp}(x,\kp^2)$ of the pion is the same as that of $h_1^{\perp}(x,\kp^2)$ of the proton calculated from the quark-scalar-d…
The chiral-odd transversity generalized parton distributions (GPDs) of the nucleon can be accessed experimentally through the exclusive photoproduction process gamma + N -> pi + rho + N', in the kinematics where the meson pair has a large invariant mass and the final nucleon has a small transverse momentum, provided the vector meson is produced in a transversally polarized state. We calculate perturbatively the scattering amplitude at leading order in alpha_s. We build a simple model for the dominant transversity GPD H_T(x,xi, t) based on the concept of double distribution. We estimate the unp…
Recently HERMES has observed an azimuthal asymmetry in electro-production of neutral pions in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of unpolarized positrons off longitudinally polarized protons. This asymmetry (like those observed in the production of charged pions) is well reproduced theoretically by using the non-perturbative calculation of the proton transversity distribution in the effective chiral quark-soliton model combined with experimental DELPHI-data on the new T-odd Collins fragmentation function. There are no free, adjustable parameters in the analysis. Using the $z$-dependence …
We present first observations of the transversity parton distribution based on an analysis of pion-pair production in deep inelastic scattering off transversely polarized targets. The extraction of transversity relies on the knowledge of dihadron fragmentation functions, which we take from electron-positron annihilation measurements. This is the first attempt to determine the transversity distribution in the framework of collinear factorization.
We study the time-reversal odd quark fragmentation function and its consequences on the hard processes. T-odd quark fragmentation function may arise, although QCD is T-invariant, from the non-perturbative dynamics in the fragmentation process. Assuming the factorization, we extract the T-odd fragmentation function from the inclusive pion production in the transversely polarized proton-proton collision. We then estimate the single spin asymmetry $A_{OT}$ of the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering with unpolarized lepton and the transversely polarized proton. We also discuss the meson cloud…
We consider the Sivers, Collins and transversity functions as extracted from SIDIS and e+e- experimental data and investigate to what extent they might explain the large Single Spin Asymmetries (SSA) observed in proton-proton inclusive processes. This phenomenological study is performed within the TMD factorization scheme. As the SIDIS data cover only a limited range of x values (x < 0.3), we allow for different large $x$ behaviours of the SIDIS Sivers functions and transversity distributions. We conclude that, within the available experimental constraints, one cannot observe any clear univers…
Electroproduction of two vector mesons with a large rapidity gap between them provides the first feasible selective access to chiral-odd GPDs. The scattering amplitude of the process $ γ^* N \to ρ_L^0 ρ_T^+ N'$ may be represented as a convolution of an impact factor describing the $γ^* \to ρ_L^0$ transition and an amplitude describing the $N\to ρ_T^+ N'$ transition, analogously to deeply exclusive electroproduction of a meson, the virtual photon being replaced by a Pomeron. The production of a transversely polarized vector meson $ρ_T^+$ selects a chiral-odd GPD in the proton.
Exclusive $π^o$ electroproduction from nucleons is suggested for extracting the tensor charge and other quantities related to transversity from experimental data. This process isolates C-parity odd and chiral odd combinations of t-channel exchange quantum numbers. In a hadronic picture it connects the meson production amplitudes to C-odd Regge exchanges with final state interactions. In a description based on partonic degrees of freedom, the helicity structure for this C-odd process relates to the quark helicity flip, or chiral odd generalized parton distributions. This differs markedly from d…
Based on a simple quark-diquark model, we propose a set of unpolarized, longitudinally polarized and transversely polarized fragmentation functions for the $Λ$ by fitting the unpolarized $Λ$ production data in $e^+ e ^- $ annihilation. It is found that the helicity structure of the obtained $Λ$ fragmentation functions is supported by the all available experimental data on the longitudinal $Λ$ polarization. Within the same framework of the diquark model, the nucleon transversity distributions are presented and consistent descriptions of the available HERMES data on the azimuthal spin asymmetrie…
We investigate hard exclusive reactions on the nucleon with soft pion emission. A parametrization of corresponding hadronic matrix elements in terms of parton distributions for final pion-nucleon state is provided. These distributions are calculated in terms of nucleon and pion GPDs and the pion distribution amplitude via soft-pion theorems. Some observables for the process of hard charged pion production on the proton with soft pion emission are computed.
We have updated our extraction of the transversity parton distribution based on the analysis of pion-pair production in deep-inelastic scattering off transversely polarized targets in collinear factorization. The most recent COMPASS data for proton and deuteron targets, complemented by previous HERMES data on the proton, make it possible to perform a flavor separation of the valence components of the transversity distribution, using di-hadron fragmentation functions taken from the semi-inclusive production of two pion pairs in back-to-back jets in $e^+ e^-$ annihilation. The $e^+ e^-$ data fro…
We computed the leading non-analytic chiral corrections to the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) of the pion and to the two-pion distribution amplitudes. This allows us to obtain the corresponding corrections for the hard exclusive processes, such as gamma^* gamma -> pi pi, gamma^* N -> 2pi N' and deeply virtual Compton scattering on the pion target.
We present a determination of the non-singlet transversity parton distribution function (PDF) of the nucleon, normalized with respect to the tensor charge at $μ^2=2$ GeV$^2$ from lattice quantum chromodynamics. We apply the pseudo-distribution approach, using a gauge ensemble with a lattice spacing of 0.094 fm and the light quark mass tuned to a pion mass of 358 MeV. We extract the transversity PDF from the analysis of the short-distance behavior of the Ioffe-time pseudo-distribution using the leading-twist next-to-leading order (NLO) matching coefficients calculated for transversity. We recon…
We construct the spin formalism in order to deal in a direct and natural way with processes involving transversity which are now of increasing popularity. The helicity formalism which is more appropriate for collision processes of definite helicity has been so far used also to manage processes with transversity, but at the price of computing numerous helicity amplitudes generally involving unnecessary kinematical variables.In a second step we work out the correspondence between both formalisms and retrieve in another way all results of the helicity formalism but in simpler forms.We then comput…
We present an updated extraction of the transversity parton distribution based on the analysis of pion-pair production in deep-inelastic scattering off transversely polarized targets in collinear factorization. Data for proton and deuteron targets make it possible to perform a flavor separation of the valence components of the transversity distribution, using di-hadron fragmentation functions taken from the semi-inclusive production of two pion pairs in back-to-back jets in e+e- annihilation. The e+e- data from Belle have been reanalyzed using the replica method and a more realistic estimate o…
We consider a simple rescattering mechanism to calculate a leading twist $T$-odd pion fragmentation function, a favored candidate for filtering the transversity properties of the nucleon. We evaluate the single spin azimuthal asymmetry for a transversely polarized target in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (for HERMES kinematics). Additionally, we calculate the double $T$-odd $\cos2ϕ$ asymmetry in this framework.
We summarize the latest achievements about the extraction of the transversity parton distribution and proton tensor charge based on an analysis of pion-pair production in deep-inelastic scattering off transversely polarized targets. Recently released data for proton and deuteron targets by HERMES and COMPASS allow for a flavor separation of the valence components of transversity. At variance with the Collins effect, this extraction is performed in the framework of collinear factorization and relies on di-hadron fragmentation functions. The latter have been taken from the first recent analysis …
A formula for the single transverse spin asymmetry in the large-$p_T$ pion production in the nucleon-nucleon collision is derived. We focuss on the chiral-odd contribution where the transversity distribution and the chiral-odd spin-independent twist-3 distribution contributes. This contribution is expected to give rise to a large effect at $x_F\to -1$.
We analyze the electroproduction of pseudoscalar mesons within the handbag approach. To investigate these reactions, we consider the leading-twist contribution together with the transversity twist-3 effects that are crucial in the description of experimental data. Our results on the cross section are in agreement with experiment. We present our predictions for spin observables.
We calculate azimuthal asymmetries and the Callan-Gross $R$-ratio for semi-exclusive pion production in deep inelastic scattering taking into account higher twist effects. Our results are qualitatively different from the QCD-improved parton model predictions for semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering.
We investigate electroproduction of pion pairs on the nucleon in the framework of QCD factorization for hard exclusive processes. We extend previous analyses by taking the hard-scattering coefficients at next-to-leading order in $α_s$. The dynamics of the produced pion pair is described by two-pion distribution amplitudes, for which we perform a detailed theoretical and phenomenological analysis. In particular, we obtain constraints on these quantities by comparing our results with measurements of angular observables that are sensitive to the interference between two-pion production in the iso…
We investigate the role of exclusive channels in semi-inclusive electroproduction of pions and kaons. Using the QCD factorization theorem for hard exclusive processes we evaluate the cross sections for exclusive pseudoscalar and vector meson production in terms of generalized parton distributions and meson distribution amplitudes. We investigate the uncertainties arising from the modeling of the nonperturbative input quantities. Combining these results with available experimental data, we compare the cross sections for exclusive channels to that obtained from quark fragmentation in semi-inclus…
Azimuthal spin asymmetries, both for charged and neutral pion production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering of unpolarized charged lepton beams on longitudinally and transversely polarized nucleon targets, are analyzed and calculated. Various assumptions and approximations in the quark distributions and fragmentation functions often used in these calculations are studied in detail. It is found that different approaches to the distribution and fragmentation functions may lead to quite different predictions on the azimuthal asymmetries measured in the HERMES experiments, thus their effe…
