We discuss all-order factorization for the virtual Compton process at next-to-leading power (NLP) in the $Λ_{\rm QCD}/Q$ and $\sqrt{-t}/Q$ expansion (twist-3), both in the double-deeply-virtual case and the single-deeply-virtual case. We use the soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) as the main theoretical tool. We conclude that collinear factorization holds in the double-deeply virtual case, where both photons are far off-shell. The agreement is found with the known results for the hard matching coefficients at leading order $α_s^0$, and we can therefore connect the traditional approach with SCET. In the single-deeply-virtual case, commonly called deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS), the contribution of non-target collinear regions complicates the factorization. These include momentum modes collinear to the real photon and (ultra)soft interactions between the photon-collinear and target-collinear modes. However, such contributions appear only for the transversely polarized virtual photon at the NLP accuracy and in fact it is the only NLP $\sim (Λ_{\rm QCD}/Q)^1 \sim (\sqrt{-t}/Q)^1$ contribution in that case. We therefore conclude that the DVCS amplitude for a longitudinally polarized virtual photon, where the leading power $\sim (Λ_{\rm QCD}/Q)^0 \sim (\sqrt{-t}/Q)^0$ contribution vanishes, is free of non-target collinear contributions and the collinear factorization in terms of twist-3 GPDs holds in that case as well.
We show that factorization holds for the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude in QCD, up to power suppressed terms, to all orders in perturbation theory. Furthermore, we show that the virtuality of the produced photon does not influence the general theorem.
Based on the two-gluon-exchange dynamical mechanism for deeply inelastic scattering at low x ~= Q^2/W^2 <<1, we stress the intimate connection between the total virtual photoabsorption cross section, deeply virtual Compton scattering and vector-meson electroproduction. A simple expression for the cross section for deeply virtual Compton scattering is derived. Parameter-free predictions are obtained for deeply-virtual Compton forward scattering and vector-meson forward production, once the parameters in the total virtual photoabsorption cross section are determined in a fit to the experimental …
It is argued that $W/Z$ boson production in ultra-relativistic $pp$ collisions in the fragmentation region, subject to a kinematic cut on the boson transverse momentum $Q_\perp>Q_{\perp\min}$, with 1 GeV/c$\ll Q_{\perp\min}\ll M_{W/Z}$, must be dominated by the Compton mechanism $qg\to q'W/Z$. We propose applications for boson hadroproduction in this kinematics and formulate the factorization theorem. The analysis of QCD enhancements indicates that Regge behavior should manifest itself not only in the $s$ but also in $Q_\perp$-dependence of the boson production differential cross-section.
The positivity bounds on generalized parton distributions are derived from the positivity properties of the absorptive part of the amplitude of the virtual Compton scattering in the generalized Bjorken region.
A factorized Regge-pole model for deeply virtual Compton scattering is suggested. The use of an effective logarithmic Regge-Pomeron trajectory provides for the description of both ``soft'' (small $|t|$) and ``hard'' (large $|t|$) dynamics. The model contains explicitly the photoproduction and the DIS limits and fits the existing HERA data on deeply virtual Compton scattering.
Recent results from the Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) program at Jefferson Lab will be presented. Approved dedicated DVCS experiments at 6 GeV and plans for the 12 GeV upgrade will be discussed.
In this talk I report on recent progress in a few areas closely related to the virtual Compton scattering studies. In particular, I discuss the quark-hadron duality estimate of the $γ^* p \to Δ^+$ transition, QCD sum rule calculation of the $γγ^* \to π^0$ form factor, and application of perturbative QCD to deeply virtual Compton scattering at small $t$.
We calculate the one-loop corrections to a general off-forward deeply-virtual Compton process at leading twist for both parton helicity-dependent and independent cases. We show that the infrared divergences can be factorized entirely into off-forward parton distributions, even when one of the two photons is onshell. We argue that this property persists to all orders in perturbation theory. We obtain the next-to-leading order Wilson coefficients for the general leading-twist expansion of the product of two electromagnetic currents in the \overline{\rm MS} scheme.
A review is given of the very recent developments in the fields of real and virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon. Both real and virtual Compton scattering reactions are discussed at low outgoing photon energy where one accesses polarizabilities of the nucleon. The real Compton scattering at large momentum transfer is discussed which is asymptotically a tool to obtain information on the valence quark wave function of the nucleon. The rapid developments in deeply virtual Compton scattering and associated meson electroproduction reactions at high energy, high photon virtuality and small mom…
We extend the analysis of the deeply virtual Compton scattering process to the weak interaction sector in the generalized Bjorken limit. The virtual Compton scattering amplitudes for the weak neutral and charged currents are calculated at the leading twist within the framework of the nonlocal light-cone expansion via coordinate space QCD string operators. Using a simple model, we estimate cross sections for neutrino scattering off the nucleon, relevant for future high intensity neutrino beam facilities.
We report on a recent work proposing measurements of the deeply virtual Compton amplitude (DVCS) $γ^* \to h \bar h γ$ in the timelike kinematic domain which is accessible at electron-positron colliders via the radiative annihilation process $e^+ e^- \to h \bar h γ$.
Prospects for future measurements of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering at HERMES are studied using different simple models for parameterizations of generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Measurements of the lepton charge and lepton beam helicity asymmetry will yield important input for theoretical models towards the future extraction of GPDs.
We calculate spin, charge, and azimuthal asymmetries in deeply virtual Compton scattering at leading twist-two level. The measurement of these asymmetries gives an access to the imaginary and real part of all deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitudes. We note that a consistent description of this process requires taking into account twist-three contributions and give then a model dependent estimate of these asymmetries.
The handbag contribution to Compton scattering at moderately large momentum transfer factorises into parton-photon subprocess amplitudes and new form factors representing 1/x-moments of skewed parton distributions. A detailed phenomenological study for polarised and unpolarised real and virtual Compton scattering is presented
We investigate the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) in the color dipole approach, implementing the dipole cross section through the saturation model, which interpolates successfully between soft and hard regimes. The imaginary and real part of the DVCS amplitude are obtained and the results are compared to the available data.
The sensitivity of the Deep Inelastic Compton (DIC) scattering at HERA to the structure of the virtual photon is discussed. It is demonstrated that the gluonic content of the virtual photon can be pinned down by measuring the photons with $p_T \sim 5 $ GeV in the proton direction.
Exclusive vector meson production and deeply virtual Compton scattering are ideally suited reactions for studying the structure of the proton and the transition from soft to hard processes. The main experimental data obtained at HERA are summarised and presented in the light of QCD approaches.
In this note, we present a new generator for Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering processes. This generator is based on formalism of Generalized Partons Distributions evolved at Next Leading Order (NLO). In the following we give a brief description of this formalism and we explain the main features of the generator for the elastic reactions, as well as for proton dissociation.
We study deeply virtual Compton scattering on a virtual pion that is emitted by a proton. Using a range of models for the generalized parton distributions of the pion, we evaluate the cross section, as well as the beam spin and beam charge asymmetries in the leading-twist approximation. Studying Compton scattering on the pion in suitable kinematics puts high demands on both beam energy and luminosity, and we find that the corresponding requirements will first be met after the energy upgrade at Jefferson Laboratory. As a by-product of our study, we construct a parameterization of pion generaliz…
Virtual Compton Scattering (VCS) at low transferred momenta to the proton ($t$) and sufficiently high c.m. energies ($s$) may be used to a) study $Q^2$--dependence of leading $t$--channel exchanges and b) look for onset of scaling behavior with increasing $Q^2$. I discuss the implications for perturbative and nonperturbative QCD and suggest possible experiments.
The soft physics approach to Compton scattering at moderately large momentum transfer is reviewed. It will be argued that in that approach the Compton cross section as well as other exclusive observables exhibit approximate scaling in a limited range of momentum transfer. Invited talk held at the workshop on exclusive and semi-exclusive processes at high momentum transfer, Jefferson Lab, May (1999).
We have analyzed the longitudinally polarized proton target asymmetry data of the Deep Virtual Compton process recently published by the HERMES collaboration in terms of Generalized Parton Distributions. We have fitted these new data in a largely model-independent fashion and the procedure results in numerical constraints on the $\tilde{H}_\mathrm{Im}$ Compton Form Factor. We present its $t-$ and $ξ-$ dependencies. We also find improvement on the determination of two other Compton Form Factors, $H_\mathrm{Re}$ and $H_\mathrm{Im}$.
We study the double deeply virtual Compton scattering (DDVCS) process off the nucleon, through the scattering of a spacelike virtual photon with large virtuality resulting in the production of a timelike virtual photon, decaying into an e^+ e^- pair. This process is expressed in the Bjorken regime in terms of generalized parton distributions (GPDs) and it is shown that by varying the invariant mass of the lepton pair, one can directly extract the GPDs from the observables. We give predictions for the DDVCS cross section and beam helicity asymmetry and discuss its experimental feasibility.
The beam spin asymmetries of the reaction ep -> epg in the Bjorken regime were measured over a wide kinematical domain using the CLAS detector and a new lead-tungstate calorimeter. Through the interference of the Bethe-Heitler process with Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering, those asymmetries provide constraints for the nucleon Generalized Parton Distributions models. The observed shapes are in agreement with twist-2 dominance predictions.
We have calculated the NLO corrections to the twist-2 part of the deeply-virtual Compton scattering amplitude. Our results for the transverse and antisymmetric parts agree with recent calculations by Ji and Osborne and by Belitsky and Müller. In addition we present NLO results for the longitudinal part of the amplitude.
We have analyzed the beam spin asymmetry and the longitudinally polarized target spin asymmetry of the Deep Virtual Compton Scattering process, recently measured by the Jefferson Lab CLAS collaboration. Our aim is to extract information about the Generalized Parton Distributions of the proton. By fitting these data, in a largely model-independent procedure, we are able to extract numerical values for the two Compton Form Factors $H_{Im}$ and $\tilde{H}_{Im}$ with uncertainties, in average, of the order of 30%.
We discuss the experimental issues confronting measurements of the Virtual Compton Scattering (VCS) reaction ep->ep gamma with electron beam energies 6-30 GeV. We specifically address the kinematics of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (Deep Inelastic Scattering, with coincident detection of the exclusive real photon nearly parallel to the virtual photon direction) and large transverse momentum VCS (High energy VCS of arbitrary Q**2, and the recoil proton emitted with high momentum transverse to the virtual photon direction). We discuss the experimental equipment necessary for these measuremen…
We give a complete representation of virtual Compton scattering $γ^* p \to γp$ at large initial photon virtuality $Q^2$ and small momentum transfer squared $t$ in terms of the light-cone wavefunctions of the target proton. We verify the identities between the skewed parton distributions $H(x,ζ,t)$ and $E(x,ζ,t)$ which appear in deeply virtual Compton scattering and the corresponding integrands of the Dirac and Pauli form factors $F_1(t)$ and $F_2(t)$ and the gravitational form factors $A_{q}(t)$ and $B_{q}(t)$ for each quark and anti-quark constituent. We illustrate the general formalism for t…
Radiative corrections to the cross sections of photon electroproduction and the single spin asymmetries induced by the interference between the Bethe Heitler and deep virtual Compton scattering amplitudes are calculated within the leading log approximation. The deep virtual Compton scattering amplitude is presented in the Belitsky, Müller, and Kirchner approximation for the polarized initial particles. The Fortran code for estimation of the radiative effects in a given kinematic point and Monte Carlo generator for simulation of one or two photons are developed. Numerical results are performed …
We show that the one-loop QCD correction to deeply-virtual Compton scattering can be factorized into the finite perturbative contributions and the collinearly-divergent terms, which correspond to the matrix elements of the off-forward parton distributions. As a by-product, we obtain the next-to-leading order coefficient functions in the generalized operator product expansion of two vector currents.
In the following, the subject of Deep Virtual Compton Scattering on the nucleon and its relation to the recently introduced concept of Generalized Parton Distributions are briefly reviewed. The general theoretical framework and the links between theory and experiment will be outlined and the recently published data which look promising for the development of this field will be discussed. Finally, the experimental prospectives of the domain will be presented.
We compute the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) amplitude for forward and backward scattering in the asymptotic limit. Since this calculation does not assume ordering of the transverse momenta, it includes important logarithmic contributions that are beyond those summed by the DGLAP evolution. These contributions lead to a power-like behavior for the forward DVCS amplitude.
The amplitude of a Compton-like process nu_i gamma^* -> nu_j gamma^* with virtual photons is calculated in the standard GWS theory with lepton mixing. The contribution of this process to the high energy neutrino scattering on the nucleus with single photon radiation nu N -> nu N gamma is discussed. The bremsspectrum and the total cross-section are estimated in the leading log approximation.
We evaluate within a microscopic calculation the contributions of both coherent and incoherent deeply virtual Compton scattering from a spin-0 nucleus. The coherent contribution is obtained when the target nucleus recoils as a whole, whereas for incoherent scattering break-up configurations for the final nucleus into a an outgoing nucleon and an $A-1$ system are considered. The two processes encode different characteristics of generalized parton distributions.
This work reviews the recent developments in the field of Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and Deeply virtual Compton scattering in the valence region, which aim at extracting the quark structure of the nucleon. We discuss the constraints which the present generation of measurements provide on GPDs, and examine several state-of-the-art parametrizations of GPDs. Future directions in this active field are discussed.
We study twist-three effects in deeply virtual Compton scattering on an unpolarized spin-1/2 target. A careful definition of observables as Fourier moments w.r.t. the azimuthal angle allows for a clear separation of twist-two and -three effects. Although the latter are power suppressed, they give leading contributions to the twist-three asymmetries and do not affect the twist-two observables.
We consider the azimuthal angle dependence in the cross section of the hard leptoproduction of a photon on a nucleon target. We show that this dependence allows to define observables that isolate the twist-two and twist-three sectors in the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude. All twist-two and twist-three Compton form factors can be extracted from measurements of the charge odd part of the polarized cross section and give access to all generalized parton distributions.
A model for deeply virtual Compton scattering, based on analytical light-cone hadron wave functions is presented and studied at energies currently accessible at Jefferson Laboratory, DESY, and beyond. It is shown that perpendicular vector components play an important role at Q^2 < 10 GeV^2 and that the meson-exchange diagrams are important at all energies. This could significantly impact the physical interpretation of the underlying hadron amplitudes.
Using the similarity between twist 3 contributions to transverse spin for usual parton distributions and transverse momentum for non-diagonal parton distributions, we determine for the simple case of a scalar (pion, $He^4$) target the linear in transverse momentum twist-3 contribution to Deeply Virtual Compton amplitude. This allows to write a gauge invariant amplitude for this non-forward process.
A two-gluon-exchange model incorporating perturbative and non-perturbative effects is presented for rho electroproduction which provides an excellent description of all current data. This is then used to calculate the contribution from the rho to deeply virtual Compton scattering via the vector-meson-dominance transition rho -> gamma. This is found to be sufficiently large to provide a significant contribution through interference with the perturbative QCD term.
Applications of perturbative QCD to deeply virtual Compton scattering process require a generalization of usual parton distributions for the case when long-distance information is accumulated in nonforward matrix elements of quark and gluon operators. We discuss two types of functions parametrizing such matrix elements: double distributions F(x,y;t) and nonforward distribution functions \cal F_ζ(X;t) and also their relation to usual parton densities f(x).
We calculate the one-loop QCD virtual corrections to all helicity amplitudes for parton level virtual Compton scattering processes. We include the amplitudes both on quark target process $γ^* q\toγq$ and on gluon target process $γ^*g\toγg$. The infrared pole structure of the amplitudes is in agreement with the prediction of Catani's general formalism for the singularities of one-loop amplitudes, while expressions for the finite remainder are given in terms of logarithms and dilogarithms that are real in the physical region.
The QED radiative corrections to virtual Compton scattering (reaction $e p \to e p γ$) are calculated to first order in $α_{em} \equiv e^2 / 4 π$. A detailed study is presented for the one-loop virtual corrections and for the first order soft-photon emission contributions. Furthermore, a full numerical calculation is given for the radiative tail, corresponding with photon emission processes, where the photon energy is not very small compared with the lepton momenta. We compare our results with existing works on elastic electron-proton scattering, and show for the $e p \to e p γ$ reaction how t…
We discuss possibilities of measurement of deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitudes via different asymmetries in order to access the underlying skewed parton distributions. Perturbative one-loop coefficient functions and two-loop evolution kernels, calculated recently by a tentative use of residual conformal symmetry of QCD, are used for a model dependent numerical estimation of scattering amplitudes.
We propose detailed tests of the handbag approximation in exclusive deeply virtual Compton scattering. Those tests make no use of any prejudice about parton correlations in the proton which are basically unknown objects and beyond the scope of perturbative QCD. Since important information on the proton substructure can be gained in the regime of light cone dominance we consider that such a class of tests is of special relevance.
We carry out the first complete calculation of kinematic power corrections ~t/Q^2 and ~m^2/Q^2 to the helicity amplitudes of deeply virtual Compton scattering. This result removes an important source of uncertainties in the QCD predictions for intermediate momentum transfers Q^2 ~ 1-10 GeV^2 that are accessible in the existing and planned experiments. In particular the finite-t corrections are significant and must be taken into account in the data analysis.
Recently dispersion relations have been applied to hard exclusive processes such as deeply virtual Compton scattering, and a holographic principle was proposed that maps out the generalized parton distributions entering the soft matrix elements for the processes from their values on a given kinematical ridge. We examine possible pitfalls associated with the implicit, direct identification in this approach of the physical hadronic states with colored partons, and suggest an improved treatment of this assumption.
We show that electromagnetic gauge invariance requires a 'spin rotation' of the quarks in the usual twist-2 contribution to the amplitude for deeply virtual Compton scattering. This rotation is equivalent to the inclusion of certain kinematical twist-3 (Wandzura-Wilczek type) terms, which have been derived previously using other methods. The new representation of the twist-3 terms is very compact and allows for a simple physical interpretation.
We study in QCD the physics of deeply-virtual Compton scattering (DVCS)---the virtual Compton process in the large s and small t kinematic region. We show that DVCS can probe a new type of off-forward parton distributions. We derive an Altarelli-Parisi type of evolution equations for these distributions. We also derive their sum rules in terms of nucleon form-factors of the twist-two quark and gluon operators. In particular, we find that the second sum rule is related to fractions of the nucleon spin carried separately by quarks and gluons. We estimate the cross section for DVCS and compare it…
Several observables for the deeply virtual Compton scattering process have been simulated in the kinematic regime of a proposed Electron-Ion Collider to explore the possible impact of such measurements for the phenomenological access of generalized parton distributions. In particular, emphasis is given to the transverse distribution of sea quarks and gluons and how such measurements can provide information on the angular momentum sum rule. The exact lepton energy loss dependence for the unpolarized $t$-differential electroproduction cross section, needed for a Rosenbluth separation, is also re…
I report on an analysis of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) within the dipole model, done in collaboration with M. McDermott and G. Shaw. The two models considered here are distinct in their structure and implications. They both agree with the available cross-section data on DVCS from HERA. Predictions for various asymmetries are also given.
A detailed study of the heavy quark h=c,b,... contributions to deeply virtual Compton scattering is performed at both the amplitude and the cross section level, and their phenomenological relevance is discussed. For this purpose I calculate the lowest order off-forward photon-gluon scattering amplitude with a massive quark loop and the corresponding hard scattering coefficients. In a first numerical analysis these fixed order perturbation theory results are compared with the conventional intrinsic "massless" parton approach considering generalized parton distributions for the heavy quarks. The…
