arXiv subjects

Alberto Accardi

Publications and source records attributed to Alberto Accardi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High Precision Fundamental Physics Experiments at JLab with Spin-transparent Storage Rings of Low-energy Polarized Electron Beams

A breakthrough in fundamental physics experiments measuring particle spin precession may happen if spin-transparent storage rings become adopted tools for such experiments. We present a new design of highly specialized table-sized storage rings, which use low-energy polarized electron beams and Mott polarimetry. Based on the spin transparency ansatz, the spin precession stemming from the magnetic dipole moment is canceled at any beam energy after an electron's turn along the periodic orbit in the ring. Meanwhile, a spin precession induced by the fundamental physics of interest, e.g., the electron's permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) and/or ultralight-dark-matter-mediated forces such as axions, will accumulate. However, capitalizing on such types of rings is not only desirable for measurements of EDMs and axion searches relevant to $CP$ violation and matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe, but may also find very promising applications in quantum computing.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

CJ26 Global QCD Analysis with Large-$x$ Jefferson Lab 6 and 12 GeV Data

We present CJ26, the new CTEQ-JLab global QCD analysis that incorporates for the first time the complete suite of JLab 6 GeV DIS measurements and the first published JLab 12 GeV measurements. Focused on the large-$x$ region, the analysis utilizes the increased $Q^2$ leverage of the 12 GeV data to uniquely disentangle higher-twist effects from off-shell nucleon corrections. This leads to a highly accurate determination of the $n/p$ structure function ratio and the $d/u$ valence quark ratio, with uncertainties reduced by 30-50% and 5-10%, respectively. We highlight the critical role of experimental correlated systematic uncertainties in achieving this precision and provide the resulting NLO PDFs and structure functions in LHAPDF format for general use.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Robust extraction of power corrections and nuclear dynamics from DIS at large $x$

We present recent updates from the CTEQ-JLab (CJ) global PDF analysis, focusing on the interplay and implementation systematics of the HT and offshell correction (CJ22ht). We also discuss preliminary results of the CJ25 global analysis, showing the impact of the full JLab 6 GeV datasets, that we recently collected in a comprehensive DIS database, and having a first look at early JLab 12 GeV measurements. We finally offer a few thoughts on how future data may help unraveling the nuclear and partonic dynamics in light nuclei.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Unveiling the Collins-Soper kernel in inclusive DIS at threshold

We revisit the factorization of inclusive deep inelastic scattering near the kinematic threshold to explicitly track off-lightcone effects. Particle production develops around two opposite near-lightcone directions like in transverse-momentum-dependent processes, and the Collins-Soper kernel emerges as a universal function in the rapidity evolution of the relevant parton correlators. We clarify outstanding issues regarding soft radiation and rapidity divergences, and uncover a new way to calculate the Collins-Soper kernel on the lattice with collinear operators.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Systematic uncertainties from higher-twist corrections in DIS at large x

We investigate the systematic uncertainties and potential biases arising from the inclusion of large-$x$ corrections to proton and deuteron deep inelastic scattering (DIS) data in global quantum chromodynamics (QCD) analyses. Using the CTEQ-JLab framework, we examine various approaches to implementing higher-twist corrections in nucleon structure functions and off-shell PDF modifications in deuteron targets. We analyze how these components interact and influence the determination of the $d$-quark PDF and the neutron structure function at large $x$. We find that it is very important to consider isospin-dependent higher-twist corrections in order to minimize implementation biases in the extracted quantities.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Systematic uncertainty of offshell corrections and higher-twist contribution in DIS at large x

We study the systematic uncertainty and biases introduced by theoretical assumptions needed to include large-$x$ DIS data in a global QCD analysis. Working in the CTEQ-JLab framework, we focus on different implementations of higher-twist corrections to the nucleon structure functions and of offshell PDF deformations in deuteron targets and discuss how their interplay impacts the extraction of the $d$-quark PDF and the calculation of the neutron structure function at large $x$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Extraction of the neutron F2 structure function from inclusive proton and deuteron deep-inelastic scattering data

The available world deep-inelastic scattering data on proton and deuteron structure functions F2p, F2d, and their ratios, are leveraged to extract the free neutron F2n structure function, the F2n/F2p ratio, and associated uncertainties using the latest nuclear effect calculations in the deuteron. Special attention is devoted to the normalization of the proton and deuteron experimental datasets and to the treatment of correlated systematic errors, as well as the quantification of procedural and theoretical uncertainties. The extracted F2n dataset is utilized to evaluate the Q2 dependence of the Gottfried sum rule and the nonsinglet F2p - F2n moments. To facilitate replication of our study, as well as for general applications, a comprehensive DIS database including all recent JLab 6 GeV measurements, the extracted F2n, a modified CTEQ-JLab global PDF fit named CJ15nlo_mod, and grids with calculated proton, neutron and deuteron DIS structure functions at next-to-leading order, are discussed and made publicly available.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Hadronization dynamics from the spectral representation of the gauge invariant quark propagator

Using the spectral representation of the quark propagator we study the Dirac decomposition of the gauge invariant quark propagator, whose imaginary part describes the hadronization of a quark as this interacts with the vacuum. We then demonstrate the formal gauge invariance of the so-called jet mass, that is of the coefficient of the chiral-odd part of the gauge invariant propagator, that can be expressed in any gauge as the first moment of the chiral-odd quark spectral function. This is therefore revealed to be a \textit{bona fide} QCD observable encoding aspects of the dynamical mass generation in the QCD vacuum, and is furthermore experimentally measurable in specific twist-3 longitudinal-transverse asymmetries in DIS and in semi-inclusive electron-positron collisions. In light-like axial gauges, we also obtain a new sum rule for the spectral function associated with the gauge fixing vector. We finally present a gauge-dependent formula that connects the second moment of the chiral-even coefficient of the quark spectral function to invariant mass generation and final state rescattering in the hadronization of a quark. Finding twist-4 experimental observables sensitive to this quantity is left for future work.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Gauge invariant spectral analysis of quark hadronization dynamics

We study the Dirac decomposition of the gauge invariant quark propagator, whose imaginary part describes the hadronization of a quark as this interacts with the vacuum, and relate each of its coefficients to a specific sum rule for the chiral-odd and chiral-even quark spectral functions. Working at first in light-like axial gauge, we obtain a new sum rule for the spectral function associated to the gauge fixing vector, and show that its second moment is in fact equal to zero. Then, we demonstrate that the first moment of the chiral-odd quark spectral function is equal in any gauge to the so-called inclusive jet mass, which is related to the mass of the particles produced in the hadronization of a quark. Finally, we present a gauge-dependent formula that connects the second moment of the chiral-even quark spectral function to invariant mass generation and final state rescattering in the hadronization of a quark.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Light quark and antiquark constraints from new electroweak data

We present a new parton distribution function analysis which includes new data for W boson production in proton-proton collisions and lepton pair production in proton-proton and proton-deuteron collisions. The new data provide strong constraints on the light antiquark parton distribution functions in the proton. We identify an interesting correlation between the $d/u$ ratio and the $\bar{d}/\bar{u}$ ratio which leads to a modification of our previous results for the $d/u$ ratio as the parton momentum fraction $x \rightarrow 1.$

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Collinear Factorization at sub-asymptotic kinematics and validation in a diquark spectator model

We revisit the derivation of collinear factorization for Deep Inelastic Scattering at sub-asymptotic values of the four momentum transfer squared, where the masses of the particles participating in the interaction cannot be neglected. By using an inclusive jet function to describe the scattered quark final state, we can restrict the needed parton kinematic approximations just to the four-momentum conservation of the hard scattering process, and explicitly expand the rest of the diagram in powers of the unobserved parton transverse momenta rather than neglecting those. This procedure provides one with more flexibility in fixing the virtuality of the scattered and recoiling partons than in the standard derivation, and naturally leads to scaling variables that more faithfully represent the partonic kinematic at sub-asymptotic energy than the Bjorken's xB variable. We then verify the validity of the obtained factorization formula by considering a diquark spectator model designed to reproduce the main features of electron-proton scattering at large $x_B$ in Quantum Chromo-Dynamics. In the model, the Deep Inelastic Scattering contribution to the cross section can be explicitly isolated and analytically calculated, then compared to the factorized approximation. Limiting ourselves to the leading twist contribution, we then show that use of the new scaling variables maximizes the kinematic range of validity of collinear factorization, and highlight the intrinsic limitations of this approach due to the unavoidably approximate treatment of four momentum conservation in factorized diagrams. Finally, we briefly discuss how these limitations may be overcome by including higher-twist corrections to the factorized calculation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Low Energy Protons as Probes of Hadronization Dynamics

Energetic quarks liberated from hadrons in nuclear deep-inelastic scattering propagate through the nuclear medium, interacting with it via several processes. These include quark energy loss and nuclear interactions of forming hadrons. One manifestation of these interactions is the enhanced emission of low-energy charged particles, referred to as grey tracks. We use the theoretical components of the BeAGLE event generator to interpret grey track signatures of parton transport and hadron formation by comparing its predictions to E665 data. We extend the base version of BeAGLE by adding four different options for describing parton energy loss. The E665 data we used consists of multiplicity ratios for fixed-target scattering of 490 GeV muons on Xe normalized to deuterium as a function of the number of grey tracks. We compare multiplicity ratios for E665 grey tracks to the predictions of BeAGLE, varying the options and parameters to determine which physics phenomena can be identified by these data. We find that grey tracks are unaffected by modifications of the forward production. Thus their production must be dominated by interactions with hadrons in the backward region. This offers the advantage that selecting certain particles in the forward region is unlikely to bias a centrality selection. We see a strong correlation between the number of grey tracks and the in-medium path length. Our energy loss model does not reproduce the suppression observed in the projectile region. We see an underprediction of the proton production rate in backward kinematics, suggesting that a stronger source of interaction with the nuclear medium is needed for accurate modeling. These results lay an important foundation for future spectator tagging studies at both Jefferson Lab and at the Electron-Ion Collider, where neutron and proton grey track studies will be feasible down to very small momenta.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

CJ15 global PDF analysis with new electroweak data from the STAR and SeaQuest experiments

We present updates to a recent CTEQ-Jefferson Lab (CJ) global analysis of parton distribution functions with a new set of electroweak data that provide unique access to quark flavor separation in the proton. In particular, recent $W$ and $Z$ boson measurements from the STAR experiment at RHIC put additional constraints on light quarks and antiquarks near the valence regime. The new measurement of the Drell-Yan lepton pair production ratio in $p+p$ and $p+d$ collisions by the SeaQuest experiment at Fermilab extends the large-$x$ coverage of the previous E866 experiment and sheds new light on the light antiquarks distribution. In this report, the impact of these new data sets on parton distribution functions will be presented with emphasis given to the flavor asymmetry of the light antiquark sea at large values of the parton momentum $x$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

On the connection between quark propagation and hadronization

We investigate the properties and structure of the recently discussed "fully inclusive jet correlator", namely, the gauge-invariant field correlator characterizing the final state hadrons produced by a free quark as this propagates in the vacuum. Working at the operator level, we connect this object to the single-hadron fragmentation correlator of a quark, and exploit a novel gauge invariant spectral decomposition technique to derive a complete set of momentum sum rules for quark fragmentation functions up to twist-3 level; known results are recovered, and new sum rules proposed. We then show how one can explicitly connect quark hadronization and dynamical quark mass generation by studying the inclusive jet's gauge-invariant mass term. This mass is, on the one hand, theoretically related to the integrated chiral-odd spectral function of the quark, and, on the other hand, is experimentally accessible through the $E$ and $\tilde{E}$ twist-3 fragmentation function sum rules. Thus, measurements of these fragmentation functions in deep inelastic processes provide one with an experimental gateway into the dynamical generation of mass in Quantum Chromodynamics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Quark fragmentation as a probe of dynamical mass generation

We address the propagation and hadronization of a struck quark by studying the gauge invariance of the color-averaged cut quark propagator, and by relating this to the single inclusive quark fragmentation correlator by means of new sum rules. Using suitable Wilson lines, we provide a gauge-invariant definition for the mass of the color-averaged dressed quark and decompose this into the sum of a current and an interaction-dependent component. The latter, which we argue is an order parameter for dynamical chiral symmetry breaking, also appears in the sum rule for the twist-3 $\tilde{E}$ fragmentation function, providing a specific experimental way to probe the dynamical generation of mass in Quantum Chromo Dynamics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Testing collinear factorization in a spectator model with mass corrections

In perturbative QCD, the masses of the hadrons involved in high energy reactions can usually be neglected. However, in the case of Kaon production in electron-proton collisions at low (and not so low) beam energies this may not be a good approximation. In particular, a recent proposal to include hadron masses in theoretical calculations shows how these Hadron Mass Corrections (HMCs) can explain a large discrepancy observed in measurements performed at the HERMES and COMPASS experiments. In this talk, we present preliminary results of a spectator model calculation designed to test the range of validity of the approximations needed in the proposed factorization scheme. We focus on inclusive DIS scattering as a first step towards the analysis of HMCs in semi-inclusive processes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Gauge invariance and kaon production in deep inelastic scattering at low scales

This paper focuses on hadron mass effects in calculations of semi-inclusive kaon production in lepton-Deuteron deeply inelastic scattering at HERMES and COMPASS kinematics. In the collinear factorization framework, the corresponding cross section is shown to factorize, at leading order and leading twist, into products of parton distributions and fragmentation functions evaluated in terms of kaon- and nucleon-mass-dependent scaling variables, and to respect gauge invariance. It is found that hadron mass corrections for integrated kaon multiplicities sizeably reduce the apparent large discrepancy between measurements of $K^+ + K^-$ multiplicities performed by the two collaborations, and fully reconcile their $K^+/K^-$ ratios.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Transversity in inclusive DIS and novel TMD sum rules

A reanalysis of collinear factorization for inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering shows that a novel, non perturbative spin-flip term associated with the invariant mass of the produced hadrons couples, at large enough Bjorken $x_B$, to the target's transversity distribution function. The resulting new contribution to the $g_2$ structure function can potentially explain the discrepancy between recent calculations and fits of this quantity. The new term also breaks the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule, now featuring an interplay between the $g_2$ and $h_1$ functions that calls for a re-examination of their small-$x$ behavior. As part of the calculation leading to these results, a new set of TMD sum rules is derived by relating the single-hadron quark fragmentation correlator to the fully dressed quark propagator by means of integration over the hadronic momenta and spins. A complete set of momentum sum rules is obtained for transverse-momentum-dependent quark fragmentation functions up to next-to-leading twist.

hep-ph↗