arXiv · 1012.0612
Gauge-invariant decomposition of nucleon spin
Abstract
Based on gauge-invariant decomposition of covariant angular momentum tensor of QCD in an arbitrary Lorentz frame, we investigate the relation between the known decompositions of the nucleon spin into its constituents, thereby clarifying in what respect they are common and in what respect they are different critically. We argue that the decomposition of Bashinsky and Jaffe, that of Chen et al., and that of Jaffe and Manohar are contained in our more general decomposition, after an appropriate gauge-fixing in a suitable Lorentz frame, which means that they all {\it gauge-equivalent}. We however point out that there is another gauge-invariant decomposition of the nucleon spin, which is closer to the Ji decomposition, while allowing the decomposition of the gluon total angular momentum into its spin and orbital parts. An advantage of the latter decomposition is that each of the four terms corresponds to a definite observable, which can be extracted from high-energy deep-inelastic-scattering measurements.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Masashi Wakamatsu. 2010-12-03. Gauge-invariant decomposition of nucleon spin. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596%2F295%2F1%2F012038
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.