Transverse momentum distributions inside the nucleon from lattice QCD

TL;DR

This paper uses lattice QCD with non-local operators to compute and analyze transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions inside the nucleon, revealing deformations and testing factorization assumptions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel lattice QCD approach based on non-local operators to study transverse momentum distributions, advancing understanding of quark intrinsic motion.

Findings

Deformation observed in polarized quark densities.

Tested factorization of longitudinal and transverse momentum dependence.

Preliminary results support further operator development for experimental comparison.

Abstract

This work applies lattice QCD to compute quark momentum distributions in the nucleon. We explore a novel approach based on non-local operators in order to analyze transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions, which encode information about the intrinsic motion of quarks inside the nucleon. Our calculations are based on MILC gauge configurations and domain wall fermion propagators from LHPC. One interesting observation is that the transverse momentum dependent density of polarized quarks in a polarized nucleon is visibly deformed. Moreover, we can test the assumption that longitudinal and transverse momentum dependence factorize within a certain kinematical region. A more elaborate operator geometry is required to enable a quantitative comparison to azimuthal asymmetries observable in experiments such as semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering, and to study time-reversal odd distributions such as the Sivers function. First steps in this direction are encouraging.