Algebraic Ansaetze for the Poincaré-covariant Bethe-Salpeter wave functions of the pion and kaon are used to calculate their light-front wave functions (LFWFs), parton distribution amplitudes (PDAs), quasi-PDAs (qPDAs), valence parton distribution functions (PDFs), and quasi-PDFs (qPDFs). The LFWFs are broad, concave functions; and the scale of flavour-symmetry violation in the kaon is roughly 15%, being set by the ratio of emergent masses in the $s$-and $u$-quark sectors. qPDAs computed with longitudinal momentum $P_z =1.75\,$GeV provide a semiquantitatively accurate representation of the objective PDA; but even with $P_z=3\,$GeV, they cannot provide information about this amplitude's endpoint behaviour. On the valence-quark domain, similar outcomes characterise qPDFs. In this connection, however, the ratio of kaon-to-pion $u$-quark qPDFs is found to provide a good approximation to the true PDF ratio on $0.3\lesssim x \lesssim 0.8$, suggesting that with existing resources computations of ratios of quasi-parton-distributions can yield results that support empirical comparison.
We present the first lattice-QCD calculation of the kaon valence-quark distribution functions using the large-momentum effective theory (LaMET) approach. The calculation is performed with multiple pion masses with the lightest one around 220 MeV, 2 lattice spacings $a=0.06$ and 0.12 fm, $(M_π)_\text{min} L \approx 5.5$, and high statistics ranging from 11,600 to 61,312 measurements. We also calculate the valence-quark distribution of pion and find it to be consistent with the FNAL E615 experimental results, and our ratio of the $u$ quark PDF in the kaon to that in the pion agrees with the CERN…
The only experimental information on the parton distribution of kaons was obtained from the scarce kaon-induced Drell-Yan cross section data. From these data, evidence for a valence $u$ quark distribution of kaon softer than that of pion was found. We study the feasibility to extract kaon's valence quark distribution via the existing kaon-induced J/psi production data. We compare the NA3 data on the K- / pi- and K+ / pi+ ratios for J/psi production on a platinum target with theoretical calculations based on the color-evaporation model. We show that the NA3 data on J/psi production provide an i…
A rainbow-ladder truncation of QCD's Dyson-Schwinger equations, constrained by existing applications to hadron physics, is employed to compute the valence-quark parton distribution functions of the pion and kaon. Comparison is made to pi-N Drell-Yan data for the pion's u-quark distribution and to Drell-Yan data for the ratio u_K(x)/u_π(x): the environmental influence of this quantity is a parameter-free prediction, which agrees well with existing data. Our analysis unifies the computation of distribution functions with that of numerous other properties of pseudoscalar mesons.
We have calculated the Bjorken-x dependence of the kaon and pion valence quark distributions in a statistical model. Each meson is described by a Fock state expansion in terms of quarks, antiquarks and gluons. Although Drell-Yan experiments have measured the pion valence quark distributions directly, the kaon valence quark distributions have only been deduced from the measurement of the ratio $\bar{u}_K(x)/\bar{u}_π(x)$. We show that, using no free parameters, our model predicts the decrease of this ratio with increasing x.
We describe expressions for pion and kaon dressed-quark distribution functions that incorporate contributions from gluons which bind quarks into these mesons and hence overcome a flaw of the commonly used handbag approximation. The distributions therewith obtained are purely valence in character, ensuring that dressed-quarks carry all a meson's momentum at a characteristic hadronic scale and vanishing as $(1-x)^2$ when Bjorken-$x\to 1$. Comparing such distributions within the pion and kaon, it is apparent that the size of SU(3)-flavour symmetry breaking in meson parton distribution functions i…
Using realistic quark propagators and meson Bethe-Salpeter amplitudes based on the Dyson-Schwinger equations, we calculate the pion and kaon's valence parton distribution functions (PDF) through the modified impulse approximation. The PDFs we obtained at hadronic scale have the purely valence characteristic and exhibit both dynamical chiral symmetry breaking and SU(3) flavor symmetry breaking effects. A new calculation technique is introduced to determine the valence PDFs with precision. Through NLO DGLAP evolution, our result is compared with pion and kaon valence PDF data at experimental sca…
In-medium valence-quark distributions of $π^+$ and $K^+$ mesons in symmetric nuclear matter are studied by combining the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model and the quark-meson coupling model. The in-medium properties of the current quarks, which are used as inputs for studying the in-medium pion and kaon properties in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model, are calculated within the quark-meson coupling model. The light-quark condensates, light-quark dynamical masses, pion and kaon decay constants, and pion- and kaon-quark coupling constants are found to decrease as nuclear density increases. The obtained valen…
In this paper we study the gluon and valence quark distributions in the pion and kaon in nuclear medium for various nuclear densities as well as in vacuum within the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model with the help of the proper-time regularization scheme which simulates a confinement of QCD. The nuclear medium effect is also determined in the same model for the symmetric nuclear matter. We then analyze the gluon and valence quark distributions for the bound pion and kaon in symmetric nuclear matter as well as those in vacuum. We find that the valence quark and gluon distributions in vacuum have …
The elastic electromagnetic form factors in the space-like region and valence quark distribution functions for the K+ meson are calculated using the confining Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with the help of the proper-time regularization scheme, which simulates quark confinement. In this model framework, the dynamics information on the nonperturbative aspects is obtained from quark propagators and bound state amplitudes via Bethe-Salpeter equations. We found that the results on the kaon form factors and valence quark distribution functions are qualitatively in excellent agreement with the existing k…
Clear windows onto emergent hadron mass (EHM) and modulations thereof by Higgs boson interactions are provided by observable measures of pion and kaon structure, many of which are accessible via generalised parton distributions (GPDs). Beginning with algebraic GPD Ansaetze, constrained entirely by hadron-scale $π$ and $K$ valence-parton distribution functions (DFs), in whose forms both EHM and Higgs boson influences are manifest, numerous illustrations are provided. They include the properties of electromagnetic form factors, impact parameter space GPDs, gravitational form factors and associat…
In this work, we investigate the gluon distribution functions for the pion and kaon, in addition to the improved result of the valence-quark ones, in the gauge-invariant nonlocal chiral-quark model (NL$χ$QM), in which the momentum dependence of the quark interactions is properly taken into account. We then analyze the gluon distribution functions, generated dynamically through the splitting functions in the DGLAP QCD evolution. By comparing with the recent lattice QCD results and JAM global analyses, it is found that the present numerical results for the gluon parton distribution functions for…
Kaon electroweak properties in symmetric nuclear matter are studied in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model using the proper-time regularization. The valence quark properties in symmetric nuclear matter are calculated in the quark-meson coupling model, and they are used as inputs for studying the in-medium kaon properties in the NJL model. We evaluate the kaon decay constant, kaon-quark coupling constant, and $K^+$ electromagnetic form factor by two different approaches. Namely, by two different ways of calculating the in-medium constituent quark masses of the light quarks. We predict that, in both a…
We present our analysis on the valence quark distribution functions of the $K^{+}$ meson, $v^{K (u)} (x, Q^2)$ and $v^{K (\bar{s})} (x, Q^2)$, taking into account the meson cloud effects in the framework of the chiral constituent quark model. Assuming appropriate bare quark distribution functions at the initial scale, evaluating the Goldstone boson dressing corrections with the model, and performing the QCD evolution, one can obtain the realistic dressed distributions at a certain scale. The phenomenologically satisfactory valence quark distribution of the pion was obtained in the previous stu…
The separate quark flavour contributions to the pion and kaon valence quark distribution functions are studied, along with the corresponding electromagnetic form factors in the space-like region. The calculations are made using the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the model of Nambu and Jona-Lasinio with proper-time regularization. Both the pion and kaon form factors and the valence quark distribution functions reproduce many of the features of the available empirical data. The larger mass if the strange quark naturally explains the empirical fact that the ratio $u_{K^+}(x)/u_{π^+}(…
Pion and kaon structural properties provide insights into the emergence of mass within the Standard Model and attendant modulations by the Higgs boson. Novel expressions of these effects, in impact parameter space and in mass and pressure profiles, are exposed via $π$ and $K$ generalised parton distributions, built using the overlap representation from light-front wave functions constrained by one-dimensional valence distribution functions that describe available data. Notably, e.g. $K$ pressure profiles are spatially more compact than $π$ profiles and both achieve near-core pressures of simil…
We investigate the valence $u$ and $\bar{s}$ quark distribution functions of the $K^+$ meson, $v^{K(u)}(x,Q^2)$ and $v^{K(\bar{s})}(x,Q^2)$, in the framework of the chiral constituent quark model. We judiciously choose the bare distributions at the initial scale to generate the dressed distributions at the higher scale, considering the meson cloud effects and the QCD evolution, which agree with the phenomenologically satisfactory valence quark distribution of the pion and the experimental data of the ratio $v^{K(u)}(x,Q^2)/v^{π(u)}(x,Q^2)$. We show how the meson cloud effects affect the bare d…
First simultaneous global QCD analysis of kaon and pion parton distributions with lattice QCD constraints
Argonne National Laboratory（阿贡国家实验室）；North Carolina State University（北卡罗来纳州立大学）；Jefferson Lab（杰弗逊实验室）；Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik, University of Bonn（波恩大学亥姆霍兹辐射与核物理研究所）；Bethe Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Bonn（波恩大学贝特理论物理中心）
The leading-twist parton distribution functions of the pion and kaon are calculated for the first time using a rainbow-ladder truncation of QCD's Dyson-Schwinger equations (DSEs) that self-consistently sums all planar diagrams. The non-perturbative gluon dressing of the quarks is thereby correctly accounted for, which in practice means solving the inhomogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) for the quark operator that defines the spin-independent quark distribution functions. An immediate consequence of using this dressed vertex is that gluons carry 35% of the pion's and 30% of the kaon's ligh…
We present a valence calculation of the electric polarizability of the neutron, neutral pion, and neutral kaon on two dynamically generated nHYP-clover ensembles. The pion masses for these ensembles are 227(2) MeV and 306(1) MeV, which are the lowest ones used in polarizability studies. This is part of a program geared towards determining these parameters at the physical point. We carry out a high statistics calculation that allows us to: (1) perform an extrapolation of the kaon polarizability to the physical point; we find $α_K =0.269(43)\times10^{-4}$fm$^{3}$, (2) quantitatively compare our …
We present the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) for the valence quarks of the pion and the kaon in both momentum space and position space within the basis light-front quantization framework. These GPDs are obtained from the eigenvectors of a light-front effective Hamiltonian consisting of the holographic quantum chromodynamics (QCD) confinement potential, a complementary longitudinal confinement potential, and the color-singlet Nambu-Jona--Lasinio interactions for the valence quarks of mesons. We then calculate the generalized form factors of the pion and the kaon from the moments of th…
We compute the kaon's valence-quark (twist-two parton) distribution amplitude (PDA) by projecting its Poincare'-covariant Bethe-Salpeter wave-function onto the light-front. At a scale ζ=2GeV, the PDA is a broad, concave and asymmetric function, whose peak is shifted 12-16% away from its position in QCD's conformal limit. These features are a clear expression of SU(3)-flavour-symmetry breaking. They show that the heavier quark in the kaon carries more of the bound-state's momentum than the lighter quark and also that emergent phenomena in QCD modulate the magnitude of flavour-symmetry breaking:…
We investigate the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the pion and the kaon by combining quantum chromodynamics (QCD) evolution with the basis light front quantization. The initial PDFs result from the light front wave functions obtained by diagonalizing the effective Hamiltonian consisting of the holographic QCD confinement potential, a complementary longitudinal confinement potential, and the color-singlet Nambu--Jona-Lasinio interactions. The valence-quark PDF of the pion, after QCD evolution, is consistent with the result from the E-0615 experiment at Fermilab. Meanwhile, the pion str…
We determine the leading Fock state light front wave functions (LFWFs) of the pion and kaon via light front projections of the covariant Bethe-Salpeter wave function. Using these LFWFs we study the multi-dimensional images of the valence quarks in the pion and kaon that are provided by their generalized parton distribution functions (GPDs) and transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). Moments of the GPDs are taken to obtain the electromagnetic and gravitational form factors of the pion and kaon, and comparisons to available experimental and lattice data are made. High…
There are two mass generating mechanisms in the standard model of particle physics (SM). One is related to the Higgs boson and fairly well understood. The other is embedded in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the SM's strong interaction piece; and although responsible for emergence of the roughly 1 GeV mass scale that characterises the proton and hence all observable matter, the source and impacts of this emergent hadronic mass (EHM) remain puzzling. As bound states seeded by a valence-quark and -antiquark, pseudoscalar mesons present a simpler problem in quantum field theory than that associated…
We present a lattice-QCD calculation of the pion, kaon and $η_s$ distribution amplitudes using large-momentum effective theory (LaMET). Our calculation is carried out using three ensembles with 2+1+1 flavors of highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ), generated by MILC collaboration, at 310 MeV pion mass with 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 fm lattice spacings. We use clover fermion action for the valence quarks and tune the quark mass to match the lightest light and strange masses in the sea. The resulting lattice matrix elements are nonperturbatively renormalized in regularization-independent momentum-s…
Multiple scattering and induced parton splitting lead to a medium modification of the QCD evolution for jet fragmentation functions and the final hadron spectra. Medium-induced parton splittings not only lead to energy loss of leading partons and suppression of leading hadron spectra, but also modify the flavor composition of a jet due to induced flavor conversion via gluon emission, quark pair production and annihilation. Through a numerical study of the medium-modified QCD evolution, leading $K^-$ strange meson spectra are found to be particularly sensitive to the induced flavor conversion i…
We investigate the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the pion and kaon from the eigenstates of a light-front effective Hamiltonian in the constituent quark-antiquark representation suitable for low-momentum scale applications. By taking these scales as the only free parameters, the valence quark distribution functions of the pion, after QCD evolving, are consistent with the E615 experiment at Fermilab. In addition, the ratio of the up quark distribution in the kaon to that in the pion also agrees with the NA3 experimental result at CERN.
We apply the basis light-front quantization framework to solve for the structures of mesons with light and strange valence quarks. Our approach treats mesons as relativistic bound states with quarks confined in both the transverse direction and the light-front longitudinal direction. The spin-orbit interactions of these confined quarks are further specified by the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. We address the $\mathrm{U}(1)_{\mathrm{A}}$ axial anomaly by including the Kobayashi-Maskawa-'t Hooft interaction regularized by our basis. We present the structures of the pion, the kaon, the eta meson, an…
The kaon electromagnetic (e.m.) form factor is reviewed considering a light-front constituent quark model. In this approach, it is discussed the relevance of the quark-antiquark pair terms for the full covariance of the e.m. current. It is also verified, by considering a QCD dynamical model, that a good agreement with experimental data can be obtained for the kaon weak decay constant once a probability of about 80% of the valence component is taken into account.
We study the octet to decuplet baryon electromagnetic transitions using the covariant spectator quark model, and predict the transition magnetic dipole form factors for those involving the strange baryons. Utilizing SU(3) symmetry, the valence quark contributions are supplemented by the pion cloud dressing based on the one estimated in the $γ^\ast N \to Δ$ reaction. Although the valence quark contributions are dominant in general, the pion cloud effects turn out to be very important to describe the experimental data. We also show that, other mesons besides the pion in particular the kaon, may …
We obtain the pion and the kaon parton distribution functions from the eigenstates of a light front effective Hamiltonian in the constituent quark-antiquark representation suitable for low-momentum scale applications. By taking these scales as the only free parameters, the valence quark distribution functions of the pion, after QCD evolution, are consistent with the data from the FNAL-E615 experiment. The ratio of the up quark distribution of the kaon to that of the pion also agrees with the CERN-NA3 experiment. Supplemented by known parton distribution functions for the nucleons, we further o…
Charged and neutral, pion and kaon electric polarizabilities are extracted from lattice QCD using an ensemble of anisotropic gauge configurations with dynamical clover fermions. We utilize classical background fields to access the polarizabilities from two-point correlation functions. Uniform background fields are achieved by quantizing the electric field strength with the proper treatment of boundary flux. These external fields, however, are implemented only in the valence quark sector. A novel method to extract charge particle polarizabilities is successfully demonstrated for the first time.
We perform a comprehensive analysis of the strange-antistrange parton distribution function (PDF) asymmetry in the proton in the framework of chiral effective theory, including the full set of lowest order kaon loop diagrams with off-shell and contact interactions, in addition to the usual on-shell contributions previously discussed in the literature. We identify the presence of $δ$-function contributions to the $\bar s$ PDF at $x=0$, with a corresponding valence-like component of the $s$-quark PDF at larger $x$, which allows greater flexibility for the shape of $s-\bar s$. Expanding the momen…
The masses of the low-lying strange and charm baryons are evaluated using two degenerate flavors of twisted mass sea quarks for pion masses in the range of about 260 MeV to 450 MeV. The strange and charm valence quark masses are tuned to reproduce the mass of the kaon and D-meson at the physical point. The tree-level Symanzik improved gauge action is employed. We use three values of the lattice spacing, corresponding to $β=3.9$, $β=4.05$ and $β=4.2$ with $r_0/a=5.22(2)$, $r_0/a=6.61(3)$ and $r_0/a=8.31(5)$ respectively. %spacings $a=0.0855(5)$ and $a=0.0667(3)$ determined from the pion decay c…
Dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (DCSB) is a remarkably effective mass generating mechanism. It is also, amongst other things, the foundation for a successful application of chiral effective field theories, the origin of constituent-quark masses, and intimately connected with confinement in QCD. Using the Dyson-Schwinger equations (DSEs), we explain the origin and nature of DCSB, and elucidate some of its consequences, e.g.: a model-independent result for the pion susceptibility; the generation of a quark anomalous chromomagnetic moment, which may explain the longstanding puzzle of the a_1-r…
Measurements of the anisotropy parameter v_2 of identified hadrons (pions, kaons, and protons) as a function of centrality, transverse momentum p_T, and transverse kinetic energy KE_T at midrapidity (|η|<0.35) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV are presented. Pions and protons are identified up to p_T = 6 GeV/c, and kaons up to p_T = 4 GeV/c, by combining information from time-of-flight and aerogel Cherenkov detectors in the PHENIX Experiment. The scaling of v_2 with the number of valence quarks (n_q) has been studied in different centrality bins as a function of transverse momentum a…
