Renormalization of transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution on the lattice

TL;DR

This study develops and tests a non-perturbative renormalization method for lattice QCD calculations of TMDPDFs, demonstrating its effectiveness over traditional schemes and enabling future continuum limit computations.

Contribution

It introduces a successful non-perturbative renormalization approach for quasi-TMDPDFs on the lattice, addressing linear divergences effectively.

Findings

The square root of the Wilson loop combined with short-distance matrix elements removes ultraviolet divergences.

The method is validated across multiple lattice spacings from 0.03 fm to 0.12 fm.

The RI/MOM scheme fails to eliminate all linear divergences.

Abstract

To calculate the transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs) from lattice QCD, an important goal yet to be realized, it is crucial to establish a viable non-perturbative renormalization approach for linear divergences in the corresponding Euclidean quasi-TMDPDF correlators in large-momentum effective theory. We perform a first systematic study of the renormalization property of the quasi-TMDPDFs by calculating the relevant matrix elements in a pion state at 5 lattice spacings ranging from 0.03 fm to 0.12 fm. We demonstrate that the square root of the Wilson loop combined with the short distance hadron matrix element provides a successful method to remove all ultraviolet divergences of the quasi-TMD operator, and thus provide the necessary justification to perform a continuum limit calculation of TMDPDFs. In contrast, the popular RI/MOM renormalization scheme fails to eliminate all linear divergences.