$\eta$-$\gamma$ and $\eta'$-$\gamma$ transition form factors in a nonlocal NJL model

TL;DR

This paper investigates the distribution amplitudes of eta and eta' mesons using a nonlocal chiral quark model, and applies these to compute transition form factors, revealing unique symmetric features and discussing higher twist and gluonic contributions.

Contribution

It introduces a nonlocal SU(3) chiral quark model that accurately reproduces meson properties and predicts distinctive symmetric distribution amplitudes for eta and eta' mesons.

Findings

Distribution amplitudes have two symmetric maxima.

Calculated transition form factors match experimental data.

Discussed potential gluon-gluon contributions and higher twist effects.

Abstract

We study the $\eta$ and $\eta'$ distribution amplitudes (DAs) in the context of a nonlocal SU(3)_L x SU(3)_R chiral quark model. The corresponding Lagrangian allows to reproduce the phenomenological values of pseudoscalar meson masses and decay constants, as well as the momentum dependence of the quark propagator arising from lattice calculations. It is found that the obtained DAs have two symmetric maxima, which arise from new contributions generated by the nonlocal character of the interactions. These DAs are then applied to the calculation of the $\eta$-$\gamma$ and $\eta'$-$\gamma$ transition form factors. Implications of our results regarding higher twist corrections and/or contributions to the transition form factors originated by gluon-gluon components in the $\eta$ and $\eta'$ mesons are discussed.