Parton distribution functions on the lattice and in the continuum

TL;DR

This paper presents the first numerical calculation of Ioffe-time distributions of the nucleon using lattice QCD in the quenched approximation, linking lattice computations to continuum parton distribution functions.

Contribution

It introduces a first-principles lattice QCD method to compute Ioffe-time distributions, connecting them to parton distributions in the continuum.

Findings

First numerical calculation of nucleon Ioffe-time distributions

Demonstrates feasibility of lattice QCD for parton distribution functions

Provides data in the quenched approximation

Abstract

Ioffe-time distributions, which are functions of the Ioffe-time $\nu$, are the Fourier transforms of parton distribution functions with respect to the momentum fraction variable $x$. These distributions can be obtained from suitable equal time, quark bilinear hadronic matrix elements which can be calculated from first principles in lattice QCD, as it has been recently argued. In this talk I present the first numerical calculation of the Ioffe-time distributions of the nucleon in the quenched approximation.