Factorization and infrared properties of non-perturbative contributions to DIS structure functions

TL;DR

This paper derives a new, consistent approach to QCD factorization in deep inelastic scattering, clarifying the separation of perturbative and non-perturbative effects and imposing restrictions on parton distribution fits.

Contribution

It provides a new derivation of QCD factorization, linking unintegrated and collinear factorizations, and establishes restrictions on non-perturbative parton distributions.

Findings

Excludes singular factors like x^{-a} in parton distribution fits.

Provides conditions for separating perturbative and non-perturbative contributions.

Ensures finite Compton amplitude by avoiding ultraviolet and infrared singularities.

Abstract

In this paper we present a new derivation of the QCD factorization. We deduce the k_T- and collinear factorizations for the DIS structure functions by consecutive reductions of a more general theoretical construction. We begin by studying the amplitude of the forward Compton scattering off a hadron target, representing this amplitude as a set of convolutions of two blobs connected by the simplest, two-parton intermediate states. Each blob in the convolutions can contain both the perturbative and non-perturbative contributions. We formulate conditions for separating the perturbative and non-perturbative contributions and attributing them to the different blobs. After that the convolutions correspond to the QCD factorization. Then we reduce this totally unintegrated (basic) factorization first to the k_T- factorization and finally to the collinear factorization. In order to yield a finite expression for the Compton amplitude, the integration over the loop momentum in the basic factorization must be free of both ultraviolet and infrared singularities. This obvious mathematical requirement leads to theoretical restrictions on the non-perturbative contributions (parton distributions) to the Compton amplitude and the DIS structure functions related to the Compton amplitude through the Optical theorem. In particular, our analysis excludes the use of the singular factors x^{-a} (with a > 0) in the fits for the quark and gluon distributions because such factors contradict to the integrability of the basic convolutions for the Compton amplitude. This restriction is valid for all DIS structure functions in the framework of both the k_T- factorization and the collinear factorization if we attribute the perturbative contributions only to the upper blob.