Next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to pion (kaon)-induced exclusive Drell-Yan process

Abstract

The high-energy pion and kaon beams proposed for future experiments at J-PARC offer a unique opportunity to investigate exclusive Drell-Yan processes induced by pions or kaons, which correspond to inverse deeply virtual meson production with $M=\pi,K$. To facilitate precise comparisons between theoretical predictions and forthcoming experimental data, we calculate the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to the processes $\pi^- p\to \gamma^*(\to l^+l^-) + n$ and $K^- p\to \gamma^*(\to l^+l^-) + \Lambda$. Our calculations are performed within the generalized parton distribution (GPD) factorization framework, accurate to leading twist in the generalized Bjorken limit ($Q^2\gg |t|,\,\Lambda_{\rm QCD}^2$). We find that the NNLO QCD corrections are substantial and positive; therefore, their inclusion is imperative for reliable theoretical predictions in confrontation with future experiments.