Accessing pion GPDs through the Sullivan process: is it feasible?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the feasibility of accessing pion generalized parton distributions (GPDs) via the Sullivan process, using models to compute Compton form factors and lepton-beam-spin asymmetries, indicating potential for 3D hadron imaging at electron-ion colliders.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential to probe pion GPDs through the Sullivan process by modeling Compton form factors and analyzing asymmetries at electron-ion colliders.

Findings

CFFs are gluon-dominated at EIC kinematics.

Lepton-beam-spin asymmetries are detectable in the Sullivan process.

Feasibility of probing pion's 3D structure at colliders is supported.

Abstract

Describing hadronic structure is one of the most intriguing problems in physics. In this respect, generalized parton distributions (GPDs) constitute an outstanding tool, allowing to draw "three dimensional pictures" of hadron's inside. Starting from contemporary models for pion's GPDs fulfilling all constraints imposed by QCD, we compute Compton form factors (CFFs) of pions subjected to deeply virtual Compton scattering. We show the behaviour of CFFs to be gluon-dominated at EIC's kinematics. Finally we evaluate lepton-beam-spin asymmetries in the Sullivan process, demonstrating the existence of such and thus triggering optimism about the possibility of probing pion's 3D structure at electron-ion colliders.