Exploring Baryon Resonances with Transition Generalized Parton Distributions: Status and Perspectives

TL;DR

This paper discusses the use of transition generalized parton distributions (GPDs) to explore the internal structure of baryon resonances, combining theory and experimental prospects at various facilities.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive research program for studying baryon resonances using transition GPDs, including theoretical frameworks and experimental plans.

Findings

First experimental results from JLab 12 GeV on transition GPDs.

Proposed future measurements at multiple facilities.

Theoretical methods for interpreting transition GPDs.

Abstract

QCD gives rise to a rich spectrum of excited baryon states. Understanding their internal structure is important for many areas of nuclear physics, such as nuclear forces, dense matter, and neutrino-nucleus interactions. Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are an established tool for characterizing the QCD structure of the ground-state nucleon. They are used to create 3D tomographic images of the quark/gluon structure and quantify the mechanical properties such as the distribution of mass, angular momentum and forces in the system. Transition GPDs extend these concepts to $N \rightarrow N^\ast$ transitions and can be used to characterize the 3D structure and mechanical properties of baryon resonances. They can be probed in high-momentum-transfer exclusive electroproduction processes with resonance transitions $e + N \rightarrow e' + M + N^\ast$, such as deeply-virtual Compton scattering ($M = \gamma$) or meson production ($M = \pi, K$, $etc.$), and in related photon/hadron-induced processes. This White Paper describes a research program aiming to explore baryon resonance structure with transition GPDs. This includes the properties and interpretation of the transition GPDs, theoretical methods for structures and processes, first experimental results from JLab 12 GeV, future measurements with existing and planned facilities (JLab detector and energy upgrades, COMPASS/AMBER, EIC, EicC, J-PARC, LHC ultraperihperal collisions), and the theoretical and experimental developments needed to realize this program.