Calculation of the Nucleon Axial Form Factor Using Staggered Lattice QCD

TL;DR

This paper presents a lattice QCD calculation of the nucleon axial form factor using staggered quarks, aiming to improve theoretical precision in neutrino oscillation research.

Contribution

It provides the first-blinded calculation of $g_A$ and the axial form factor with physical quark masses using HISQ staggered baryons, employing model-independent $z$ expansion fitting.

Findings

Preliminary results for $g_A$ and axial form factor.

Use of physical light quark masses and absolute normalization.

Application of $z$ expansion for form factor data fitting.

Abstract

The nucleon axial form factor is a dominant contribution to errors in neutrino oscillation studies. Lattice QCD calculations can help control theory errors by providing first-principles information on nucleon form factors. In these proceedings, we present preliminary results on a blinded calculation of $g_A$ and the axial form factor using HISQ staggered baryons with 2+1+1 flavors of sea quarks. Calculations are done using physical light quark masses and are absolutely normalized. We discuss fitting form factor data with the model-independent $z$ expansion parametrization.