Parton content of the nucleon from distribution amplitudes and transition distribution amplitudes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the internal quark structure of the nucleon using distribution amplitudes within a light-cone quark model, and introduces a novel calculation of nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes based on a meson-cloud model.

Contribution

It provides the first calculation of nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes using a meson-cloud model, expanding understanding of nucleon structure.

Findings

Distribution amplitudes probe three-quark components of the nucleon.

Higher Fock components are essential for transition amplitudes.

First calculation of nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes.

Abstract

The nucleon distribution amplitudes and the nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes are investigated at leading twist within the frame of a light-cone quark model. The distribution amplitudes probe the three-quark component of the nucleon light-cone wave function, while higher order components in the Fock-space expansion of the nucleon state are essential to describe the nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes. Adopting a meson-cloud model of the nucleon the nucleon-to-pion transition distribution amplitudes are calculated for the first time.