Chiral and trace anomalies in Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering II: QCD factorization and beyond

Abstract

We extend the discussion of the recently discovered 'anomaly poles' in QCD Compton scattering. We perform the complete one-loop calculation of the Compton amplitude using momentum transfer $t$ as the regulator of collinear divergences. In the gluon channel, we confirm the presence of poles $1/t$ in both the real and imaginary parts of the amplitude. In the quark channel, we find unexpected infrared single $1/\epsilon$ and double $1/\epsilon^2$ poles. We then perform the one-loop calculation of the leading-twist quark generalized parton distributions (GPDs) for quark and gluon external states with the same regulators and find that all these singular terms can be systematically absorbed into the GPDs, showing that QCD factorization is restored to this order. Having established this, we discuss the fate of the $1/t$ poles. We argue that they become the nonperturbative building blocks of GPDs that encode the chiral and trace anomalies of QCD, in a way consistent with the known constraints these anomalies impose on the nucleon axial and gravitational form factors. The scope of research on GPDs can therefore be expanded to address the manifestation and implications of quantum anomalies in high-energy exclusive processes.