Relativistic Correction to the First Moment of the Spin-Dependent Structure Function of the Deuteron $\Gamma_1^D(Q^2)$ in the Light-Cone Formalism

TL;DR

This paper develops a light-cone formalism approach to accurately calculate relativistic corrections to the deuteron's spin-dependent structure function, considering the invariant mass dependence of polarization vectors.

Contribution

It introduces a method for consistent relativistic nuclear corrections to the deuteron's spin structure function using light-cone variables and invariant mass-dependent polarization vectors.

Findings

Provides a new technique for calculating relativistic effects in deuteron structure functions.

Highlights the importance of invariant mass dependence in polarization vectors.

Offers a practical recipe for improved theoretical estimates of deuteron spin structure.

Abstract

The deuteron is considered as a superposition of two-nucleon Fock states with the invariant mass depending on the relative momentum in a proton-neutron pair. The condition of the transversality of the polarization vectors should be imposed at the Fock component level and these vectors depend on the invariant mass of the Fock component. Such "running" longitudinal polarization vector was not used in early estimates of relativistic effects. The technique for the calculation of the average helicity of the proton in the deuteron has been considered in the light-cone variables. A receipt has been proposed for the consistent calculation of relativistic nuclear corrections to the average helicity of the proton in the deuteron and to the first moment of the spin-dependent structure function of the deuteron.