Deeply virtual $\phi$-meson production near threshold

TL;DR

This paper investigates near-threshold $$-meson electroproduction using a GPD framework, proposing a threshold approximation and analyzing its validity, with implications for future experimental measurements at Jefferson Lab and EIC.

Contribution

It introduces a threshold approximation for $$-meson production amplitudes and tests its validity at next-to-leading order in QCD.

Findings

The threshold approximation is valid at NLO in QCD.

Cross sections are highly sensitive to gluon and strangeness gravitational form factors.

Simulations show future facilities can effectively measure near-threshold $$ electroproduction.

Abstract

We discuss exclusive $\phi$-meson electroproduction off the proton near threshold within the GPD factorization framework. We propose the `threshold approximation' in which only the leading term of the conformal partial wave expansion of the meson production amplitudes is kept in both the quark and gluon exchange channels. We test the validity of this approximation to next-to-leading order in QCD and demonstrate the strong sensitivity of the cross section to the gluon and strangeness gravitational form factors. We also perform realistic event generator simulations both for Jefferson Lab and EIC kinematics and demonstrate the capabilities of future facilities for measuring near-threshold $\phi$ electroproduction.