arXiv subjects

Lei Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Lei Chang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Revealing the Signal of QCD Phase Transition in Heavy-Ion Collisions

We propose a novel method to construct the Landau thermodynamic potential directly from the fluctuations measured in heavy-ion collisions. The potential is capable of revealing the signal of the critical end-point (CEP) and the first order phase transition (FOPT) of QCD in the system even away from the phase transition region. With the available experimental data, we show that the criterion of the FOPT is negative for most of the collision energies which indicates no signal of FOPT. The data at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=7.7$ GeV with 0-5% centrality shows a different behavior and the mean value of the data satisfies the criterion. However, the uncertainty is still too large to make a certain conclusion. The higher order fluctuations are also required for confirming the signal. We emphasize therefore that new measurements with higher precision for the $C_{1,...,6}$ within 0-5% centrality in the vicinity of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=7.7$ GeV are in demand which may finally reveal the signal of QCD phase transition.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

A symmetry preserving contact interaction treatment of the kaon

A symmetry-preserving regularization procedure for dealing with the contact interaction model is proposed in this work. This regularization procedure follows a series of consistency conditions which are necessary to maintain gauge symmetry. Under this regularization, proofs for the preservation of the Ward-Takahashi identities are given and the loop integrals in the contact interaction model are systematically computed. As an application example, the kaon electromagnetic form factor and $K_{l3}$ transition form factor are computed and self-consistent results are obtained. Since the proposed regularization properly handles the divergence, one is freed from the inconsistencies caused by the regularization and can concentrate more on the physical discussion.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Pion scalar, vector and tensor form factors from a contact interaction

The pion scalar, vector and tensor form factors are calculated within a symmetry-preserving contact interaction model (CI) of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), encompassed within a Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations approach. In addition to the traditional rainbow-ladder truncation, a modified interaction kernel for the Bethe-Salpeter equation is adopted. The implemented kernel preserves the vector and axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identities, while also providing additional freedom. Consequently, new tensor structures are generated in the corresponding interaction vertices, shifting the location of the mass poles appearing in the quark-photon and quark tensor vertex and yielding a notorious improvement in the final results. Despite the simplicity of the CI, the computed form factors and radii are compatible with recent lattice QCD simulations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Valence quark ratio in the proton

Beginning with precise data on the ratio of structure functions in deep inelastic scattering (DIS) from $^3$He and $^3$H, collected on the domain $0.19 \leq x_B \leq 0.83$, where $x_B$ is the Bjorken scaling variable, we employ a robust method for extrapolating such data to arrive at a model-independent result for the $x_B=1$ value of the ratio of neutron and proton structure functions. Combining this with information obtained in analyses of DIS from nuclei, corrected for target-structure dependence, we arrive at a prediction for the proton's valence-quark ratio: $\left. d_v/u_v \right|_{x_B\to 1} = 0.230 (57)$. Requiring consistency with this result presents a challenge to many descriptions of proton structure.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Exposing the effect of $p$-wave in pion triplet under the strong magnetic field

The static properties, masses and decay constants, of pseudoscalar meson triplet in a strongly magnetized medium are studied through the Dyson-Schwinger equation approach treatment of a contact interaction. Complementary to the usual vector-vector form, a symmetry-preserving formulation of couplings has been proposed in this work, without modifying the quark propagator, to control the strength of the $p$-wave component of Bethe-Salpeter amplitude. It is found that, with the help of flexible auxiliary interaction, our simple model is able to reproduce the observation in the lattice QCD simulation, where the spectra of the charged pseudo-scalar meson shows a non-monotonic behavior as the magnetic field grows. The discovery of this work implies the strong magnetic field affects the inner structure of mesons dramatically.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Wave propagation and power deposition in blue-core helicon plasma

The wave propagation and power deposition in blue-core helicon plasma are computed referring to recent experiments. It is found that the radial profile of wave electric field peaks off-axis during the blue-core formation, and the location of this peak is very close to that of particle transport barrier observed in experiment; the radial profile of wave magnetic field shows multiple radial modes inside the blue-core column, which is consistent with the experimental observation of coherent high $m$ modes through Bessel function. The axial profiles of wave field indicate that, once the blue-core mode has been achieved, waves can only propagate inside the formed column with distinct phase compared to that outside. The wave energy distribution shows a clear and sharp boundary at the edge of blue-core column, besides which periodic structures are observed and the axial periodicity inside is nearly twice that outside. The dispersion relation inside the blue-core column exhibits multiple modes, a feature of resonant cavity that selects different modes during frequency variation, while the dispersion relation outside gives constant wave number with changed frequency. The power deposition appears to be off-axis in the radial direction and periodic in the axial direction, and mostly inside the blue-core column. Analyses based on step-like function theory and introduced blue-core constant provide consistent results. The equivalence of blue-core column to optical fiber for electromagnetic communication is also explored and inspires a novel application of helicon plasma, which may be one of the most interesting findings of present work.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Proton and pion distribution functions in counterpoint

Working with proton and pion valence distribution functions (DFs) determined consistently at the same, unique hadron scale and exploiting the possibility that there is an effective charge which defines an evolution scheme for DFs that is all-orders exact, we obtain a unified body of predictions for all proton and pion DFs - valence, glue, and four-flavour-separated sea. Whilst the hadron light-front momentum fractions carried by identifiable parton classes are the same for the proton and pion at any scale, the pointwise behaviour of the DFs is strongly hadron-dependent. All calculated distributions comply with quantum chromodynamics constraints on low- and high-$x$ scaling behaviour and, owing to emergent hadron mass, pion DFs are the most dilated. These results aid in elucidating the sources of similarities and differences between proton and pion structure.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Parton distributions of light quarks and antiquarks in the proton

An algebraic Ansatz for the proton's Poincaré-covariant wave function, which includes both scalar and pseudovector diquark correlations, is used to calculate proton valence, sea, and glue distribution functions (DFs). Regarding contemporary data, a material pseudovector diquark component in the proton is necessary for an explanation of the neutron-proton structure function ratio; and a modest Pauli blocking effect in the gluon splitting function is sufficient to explain the proton's light-quark antimatter asymmetry. In comparison with pion DFs, the light-front momentum fractions carried by all identifiable parton classes are the same; on the other hand, the higher moments are different. Understanding these features may provide insights that explain distinctions between Nambu-Goldstone bosons and seemingly less complex hadrons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Electromagnetic form factors of neutron and neutral stange hyperons in the oscillating view of point

Based on the recently precise measurements of the electron-positron annihilation reactions into a neutron and anti-neutron pair by BESIII collaboration, the effective form factor of neutron was determined in the time like region, and it was found that the effective form factor of neutron is smaller than the ones of proton. The effective form factors of neutron shows a periodic behaviour, similar to the case of proton. Here, a compared analysis for $Λ$, $Σ^0$ and $Ξ^0$ is performed. Fits of the available data on the effective form factors of $Λ$, $Σ^0$ and $Ξ^0$ with charge zero, allow to show a universal phenomenon of the oscillation behavior in their effective form factors. However, this needs to be confirmed by future precise experiments. Both theoretical and experimental investigations of this phenomenon can shed light on the reaction mechanisms of the electron-positron annihilation process.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Revealing pion and kaon structure via generalised parton distributions

Clear windows onto emergent hadron mass (EHM) and modulations thereof by Higgs boson interactions are provided by observable measures of pion and kaon structure, many of which are accessible via generalised parton distributions (GPDs). Beginning with algebraic GPD Ansaetze, constrained entirely by hadron-scale $π$ and $K$ valence-parton distribution functions (DFs), in whose forms both EHM and Higgs boson influences are manifest, numerous illustrations are provided. They include the properties of electromagnetic form factors, impact parameter space GPDs, gravitational form factors and associated pressure profiles, and the character and consequences of all-orders evolution. The analyses predict that mass-squared gravitational form factors are stiffer than electromagnetic form factors; reveal that $K$ pressure profiles are tighter than $π$ profiles, with both mesons sustaining near-core pressures at magnitudes similar to that expected at the core of neutron stars; deliver parameter-free predictions for $π$ and $K$ valence, glue, and sea GPDs at the resolving scale $ζ=2$GeV; and predict that at this scale the fraction of meson mass-squared carried by glue and sea combined matches that lodged with the valence degrees-of-freedom, with a similar statement holding for mass-squared radii.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Light charged pion in ultra-strong magnetic field

In this work, the mass of charged pions is investigated in the presence of background magnetic fields stronger than the energy scale of QCD. We introduce an anomaly magnetic momentum term in the Dirac equation and obtain the quark propagator as consequence. We find a novel finite Landau level, denoted as $tl$LL, becoming dominant rather than the conventional lowest Landau level. We examine that, due to the shifting of Landau level, it drives a mass decreasing around $eB\sim 0.8~\mathrm{GeV}^2$ for charged pions and their masses drastically limit to the neutral one at ultra-strong magnetic field, $eB\sim 1.6~\mathrm{GeV}^2$, which is consistent with the recent lattice simulation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Dynamical diquarks in the ${\boldsymbol{γ^{(\ast)} p\to N(1535)\tfrac{1}{2}^-}}$ transition

The $γ^{(\ast)}+p \to N(1535) \tfrac{1}{2}^-$ transition is studied using a symmetry-preserving regularisation of a vector$\,\otimes\,$vector contact interaction (SCI). The framework employs a Poincaré-covariant Faddeev equation to describe the initial and final state baryons as quark+di\-quark composites, wherein the diquark correlations are fully dynamical, interacting with the photon as allowed by their quantum numbers and continually engaging in breakup and recombination as required by the Faddeev kernel. The presence of such correlations owes largely to the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of hadron mass; and whereas the nucleon Faddeev amplitude is dominated by scalar and axial-vector diquark correlations, the amplitude of its parity partner, the $N(1535) \tfrac{1}{2}^-$, also contains sizeable pseudoscalar and vector diquark components. It is found that the $γ^{(\ast)}+p \to N(1535) \tfrac{1}{2}^-$ helicity amplitudes and related Dirac and Pauli form factors are keenly sensitive to the relative strengths of these diquark components in the baryon amplitudes, indicating that such resonance electrocouplings possess great sensitivity to baryon structural details. Whilst SCI analyses have their limitations, they also have the virtue of algebraic simplicity and a proven ability to reveal insights that can be used to inform more sophisticated studies in frameworks with closer ties to quantum chromodynamics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Quark anomalous magnetic moment and its effects on the $ρ$ meson properties

A symmetry-preserving treatment of mesons, within a Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations approach, demands an interconnection between the kernels of the quark gap equation and meson Bethe-Salpeter equation. Appealing to those symmetries expressed by the vector and axial-vector Ward-Green-Takahashi identitiges (WGTI), we construct a two-body Bethe-Salpeter kernel and study its implications in the vector channel; particularly, we analyze the structure of the quark-photon vertex, which explicitly develops a vector meson pole in the timelike axis and the quark anomlaous magnetic moment term, as well as a variety of $ρ$ meson properties: mass and decay constants, electromagnetic form factors, and valence-quark distribution amplitudes.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Regarding the distribution of glue in the pion

Understanding why the scale of emergent hadron mass is obvious in the proton but hidden in the pion may rest on mapping the distribution functions (DFs) of all partons within the pion and comparing them with those in the proton; and since glue provides binding in quantum chromodynamics, the glue DF could play a special role. Producing reliable predictions for the proton's DFs is difficult because the proton is a three valence-body bound-state problem. As sketched herein, the situation for the pion, a two valence-body problem, is much better, with continuum and lattice predictions for the valence-quark and glue DFs in agreement. This beginning of theory alignment is timely because experimental facilities now either in operation or planning promise to realise the longstanding goal of providing pion targets, thereby enabling precision experimental tests of rigorous theory predictions concerning Nature's most fundamental Nambu-Goldstone bosons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Linking continuum and lattice quark mass functions via an effective charge

The quark mass function is computed both by solving the quark propagator Dyson-Schwinger equation and from lattice simulations implementing overlap and Domain-Wall fermion actions for valence and sea quarks, respectively. The results are confronted and seen to produce a very congruent picture, showing a remarkable agreement for the explored range of current-quark masses. The effective running-interaction is based on a process-independent charge rooted on a particular truncation of the Dyson-Schwinger equations in the gauge sector, establishing thus a link from there to the quark sector and inspiring a correlation between the emergence of gluon and hadron masses.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Insights into the Emergence of Mass from Studies of Pion and Kaon Structure

There are two mass generating mechanisms in the standard model of particle physics (SM). One is related to the Higgs boson and fairly well understood. The other is embedded in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the SM's strong interaction piece; and although responsible for emergence of the roughly 1 GeV mass scale that characterises the proton and hence all observable matter, the source and impacts of this emergent hadronic mass (EHM) remain puzzling. As bound states seeded by a valence-quark and -antiquark, pseudoscalar mesons present a simpler problem in quantum field theory than that associated with the nucleon. Consequently, there is a large array of robust predictions for pion and kaon properties whose empirical validation will provide a clear window onto many effects of both mass generating mechanisms and the constructive interference between them. This has now become significant because new-era experimental facilities, in operation, construction, or planning, are capable of conducting such tests and thereby contributing greatly to resolving the puzzles of EHM. These aspects of experiment, phenomenology, and theory, along with contemporary successes and challenges, are sketched herein, simultaneously highlighting the potential gains that can accrue from a coherent effort aimed at finally reaching an understanding of the character and structure of Nature's Nambu-Goldstone modes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Revealing the structure of light pseudoscalar mesons at the Electron-Ion Collider

How the bulk of the Universe's visible mass emerges and how it is manifest in the existence and properties of hadrons are profound questions that probe into the heart of strongly interacting matter. Paradoxically, the lightest pseudoscalar mesons appear to be the key to the further understanding of the emergent mass and structure mechanisms. These mesons, namely the pion and kaon, are the Nambu-Goldstone boson modes of QCD. Unravelling their partonic structure and the interplay between emergent and Higgs-boson mass mechanisms is a common goal of three interdependent approaches -- continuum QCD phenomenology, lattice-regularised QCD, and the global analysis of parton distributions -- linked to experimental measurements of hadron structure. Experimentally, the foreseen electron-ion collider will enable a revolution in our ability to study pion and kaon structure, accessed by scattering from the "meson cloud" of the proton through the Sullivan process. With the goal of enabling a suite of measurements that can address these questions, we examine key reactions to identify the critical detector system requirements needed to map tagged pion and kaon cross sections over a wide range of kinematics. The excellent prospects for extracting pion structure function and form factor data are shown, and similar prospects for kaon structure are discussed in the context of a worldwide programme. Successful completion of the programme outlined herein will deliver deep, far-reaching insights into the emergence of pions and kaons, their properties, and their role as QCD's Goldstone boson modes.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Electron-Ion Collider in China

Lepton scattering is an established ideal tool for studying inner structure of small particles such as nucleons as well as nuclei. As a future high energy nuclear physics project, an Electron-ion collider in China (EicC) has been proposed. It will be constructed based on an upgraded heavy-ion accelerator, High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) which is currently under construction, together with a new electron ring. The proposed collider will provide highly polarized electrons (with a polarization of $\sim$80%) and protons (with a polarization of $\sim$70%) with variable center of mass energies from 15 to 20 GeV and the luminosity of (2-3) $\times$ 10$^{33}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. Polarized deuterons and Helium-3, as well as unpolarized ion beams from Carbon to Uranium, will be also available at the EicC. The main foci of the EicC will be precision measurements of the structure of the nucleon in the sea quark region, including 3D tomography of nucleon; the partonic structure of nuclei and the parton interaction with the nuclear environment; the exotic states, especially those with heavy flavor quark contents. In addition, issues fundamental to understanding the origin of mass could be addressed by measurements of heavy quarkonia near-threshold production at the EicC. In order to achieve the above-mentioned physics goals, a hermetical detector system will be constructed with cutting-edge technologies. This document is the result of collective contributions and valuable inputs from experts across the globe. The EicC physics program complements the ongoing scientific programs at the Jefferson Laboratory and the future EIC project in the United States. The success of this project will also advance both nuclear and particle physics as well as accelerator and detector technology in China.

nucl-ex↗