Low $x$ physics as an infinite twist (G)TMD framework: unravelling the origins of saturation

Abstract

We show how the formulations of low $x$ physics involving Wilson line operators can be fully rewritten into an infinite twist TMD or GTMD framework, respectively for inclusive and exclusive observables. This leads to a perfect match between low $x$ physics and moderate $x$ formulations of QCD in terms of GTMDs, TMDs, GPDs or PDFs. We derive the BFKL limit as a kinematic limit and argue that beyond the Wandzura-Wilczek approximation, 3-body and 4-body unintegrated PDFs should be taken into account even in this regime. Finally, we analyze how saturation should be understood as three distinct effects: saturation through non-linearities in the evolution equations at small $x$, saturation through multiple interactions with slow gluons as TMD gauge links, and saturation as the enhancement of genuine twist corrections.