arXiv subjects

M. Engelhardt

Publications and source records attributed to M. Engelhardt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Precision QCD with the Electron-Ion Collider

This document summarizes the discussions at the program "Precision QCD with the Electron Ion Collider", held from May to June 2025 at the Institute for Nuclear Theory (INT) at the University of Washington. The program was co-sponsored by the INT and by the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science (CFNS, Stony Brook University). Over its five-week duration it brought together about 70 theorists, experimentalists and computer scientists all interested in the physics program at the future Electron Ion Collider in preparation at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Key topics at the program were: higher-order perturbative-QCD calculations and techniques; nuclear structure and tomography; comparisons of phenomenological and lattice determinations of parton distribution functions; identification of signature observables for saturated gluons; assessment of the importance of AI techniques for EIC studies and detector development.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Nucleon electromagnetic form factors at large momentum from Lattice QCD

Proton and neutron electric and magnetic form factors are the primary characteristics of their spatial structure and have been studied extensively over the past half-century. At large values of the momentum transfer $Q^2$ they should reveal transition from nonperturbative to perturbative QCD dynamics as well as effects of quark orbital angular momenta and diquark correlations. Currently, these form factors are being measured at JLab at momentum transfer up to $Q^2=18$ GeV$^2$ for the proton and up to 14 GeV$^2$ for the neutron. We report preliminary results of our lattice calculations of these form factors, including $G_E$ and $G_M$ nucleon form factors with momenta up to $Q^2=8$ GeV$^2$, pion masses down to the almost-physical $m_\pi$=170 MeV, several lattice spacings down to $a=0.073$ fm, and high $O(10^5)$ statistics. Specifically, we study individual form factors, the $G_E/G_M$ ratios, and flavor dependence of contributions to the form factors. We observe qualitative agreement of our ab initio theory calculations with experiment. Comparison of our calculations and upcoming JLab experimental results will be an important test of nonperturbative QCD methods in the almost-perturbative regime.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2024

Quark orbital angular momentum in the proton from a twist-3 generalized parton distribution

Quark orbital angular momentum in the proton is evaluated via a Lattice QCD calculation of the second Mellin moment of the twist-3 generalized parton distribution $\widetilde{E}_{2T} $ in the forward limit. The connection between this approach to quark orbital angular momentum and approaches previously utilized in Lattice QCD calculations, via generalized transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions and via Ji's sum rule, is reviewed. This connection can be given in terms of Lorentz invariance and equation of motion relations. The calculation of the second Mellin moment of $\widetilde{E}_{2T} $ proceeds via a finite-momentum proton matrix element of a quark bilocal operator with a straight-line gauge connection and separation in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The dependence on the former component serves to extract the second Mellin moment, whereas the dependence on the latter component provides a transverse momentum cutoff for the matrix element. Furthermore, a derivative of the matrix element with respect to momentum transfer in the forward limit is required, which is obtained using a direct derivative method. The calculation utilizes a clover fermion ensemble at pion mass 317 MeV. The resulting quark orbital angular momentum is consistent with previous evaluations through alternative approaches, albeit with greater statistical uncertainty using a comparable number of samples.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2023

The Present and Future of QCD

This White Paper presents the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting that took place September 23-25, 2022 at MIT, as part of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) 2023 Long Range Planning process. A total of 424 physicists registered for the meeting. The meeting highlighted progress in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) nuclear physics since the 2015 LRP (LRP15) and identified key questions and plausible paths to obtaining answers to those questions, defining priorities for our research over the coming decade. In defining the priority of outstanding physics opportunities for the future, both prospects for the short (~ 5 years) and longer term (5-10 years and beyond) are identified together with the facilities, personnel and other resources needed to maximize the discovery potential and maintain United States leadership in QCD physics worldwide. This White Paper is organized as follows: In the Executive Summary, we detail the Recommendations and Initiatives that were presented and discussed at the Town Meeting, and their supporting rationales. Section 2 highlights major progress and accomplishments of the past seven years. It is followed, in Section 3, by an overview of the physics opportunities for the immediate future, and in relation with the next QCD frontier: the EIC. Section 4 provides an overview of the physics motivations and goals associated with the EIC. Section 5 is devoted to the workforce development and support of diversity, equity and inclusion. This is followed by a dedicated section on computing in Section 6. Section 7 describes the national need for nuclear data science and the relevance to QCD research.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions for longitudinally polarized nucleons from domain wall fermion calculations at the physical pion mass

Previous Lattice QCD calculations of nucleon transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions (TMDs) focused on the case of transversely polarized nucleons, and thus did not encompass two leading-twist TMDs associated with longitudinal polarization, namely, the helicity TMD and the worm-gear TMD corresponding to transversely polarized quarks in a longitudinally polarized nucleon. Based on a definition of TMDs via hadronic matrix elements of quark bilocal operators containing staple-shaped gauge connections, TMD observables characterizing the aforementioned two TMDs are evaluated, utilizing an RBC/UKQCD domain wall fermion ensemble at the physical pion mass.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Quark spin-orbit correlations in the proton

Generalized transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions (GTMDs) provide a comprehensive framework for imaging the internal structure of the proton. In particular, by encoding the simultaneous distribution of quark transverse positions and momenta, they allow one to directly access longitudinal quark orbital angular momentum, and, moreover, to correlate it with the quark helicity. The relevant GTMD is evaluated through a lattice calculation of a proton matrix element of a quark bilocal operator (the separation in which is Fourier conjugate to the quark momentum) featuring a momentum transfer (which is Fourier conjugate to the quark position), as well as the Dirac structure appropriate for capturing the quark helicity. The weighting by quark transverse position requires a derivative with respect to momentum transfer, which is obtained in unbiased fashion using a direct derivative method. The lattice calculation is performed directly at the physical pion mass, using domain wall fermions to mitigate operator mixing effects. Both the Jaffe-Manohar as well as the Ji quark spin-orbit correlations are extracted, yielding evidence for a strong quark spin-orbit coupling in the proton.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2020

From Ji to Jaffe-Manohar orbital angular momentum in Lattice QCD using a direct derivative method

A Lattice QCD approach to quark orbital angular momentum in the proton based on generalized transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions (GTMDs) is enhanced methodologically by incorporating a direct derivative technique. This improvement removes a significant numerical bias that had been seen to afflict results of a previous study. In particular, the value obtained for Ji quark orbital angular momentum is reconciled with the one obtained independently via Ji's sum rule, validating the GMTD approach. Since GTMDs simultaneously contain information about the quark impact parameter and transverse momentum, they permit a direct evaluation of the cross product of the latter. They are defined through proton matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator containing a Wilson line; the choice in Wilson line path allows one to continuously interpolate from Ji to Jaffe-Manohar quark orbital angular momentum. The latter is seen to be significantly enhanced in magnitude compared to Ji quark orbital angular momentum, confirming previous results.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

Quark orbital angular momentum in the proton evaluated using a direct derivative method

Quark orbital angular momentum (OAM) in the proton can be calculated directly given a Wigner function encoding the simultaneous distribution of quark transverse positions and momenta. This distribution can be accessed via proton matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator (the separation in which is Fourier conjugate to the quark momentum) featuring a momentum transfer (which is Fourier conjugate to the quark position). To generate the weighting by quark transverse position needed to calculate OAM, a derivative with respect to momentum transfer is consequently required. This derivative is evaluated using a direct derivative method, i.e., a method in which the momentum derivative of a correlator is directly sampled in the lattice calculation, as opposed to extracting it a posteriori from the numerical correlator data. The method removes the bias stemming from estimating the derivative a posteriori that was seen to afflict a previous exploratory calculation. Data for Ji OAM generated on a clover ensemble at pion mass $m_{\pi } = 317\, \mbox{MeV} $ are seen to agree with the result obtained via the traditional Ji sum rule method. By varying the gauge connection in the quark bilocal operator, also Jaffe-Manohar OAM is extracted, and seen to be enhanced significantly compared to Ji OAM.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Quark orbital dynamics in the proton from Lattice QCD -- from Ji to Jaffe-Manohar orbital angular momentum

Given a Wigner distribution simultaneously characterizing quark transverse positions and momenta in a proton, one can directly evaluate their cross-product, i.e., quark orbital angular momentum. The aforementioned distribution can be obtained by generalizing the proton matrix elements of quark bilocal operators which define transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions (TMDs); the transverse momentum information is supplemented with transverse position information by introducing an additional nonzero momentum transfer. A gauge connection between the quarks must be specified in the quark bilocal operators; the staple-shaped gauge link path used in TMD calculations yields the Jaffe-Manohar definition of orbital angular momentum, whereas a straight path yields the Ji definition. An exploratory lattice calculation, performed at the pion mass m_pi = 518 MeV, is presented which quasi-continuously interpolates between the two definitions and demonstrates that their difference can be clearly resolved. The resulting Ji orbital angular momentum is confronted with traditional evaluations based on Ji's sum rule. Jaffe-Manohar orbital angular momentum is enhanced in magnitude compared to its Ji counterpart.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Lattice QCD calculations of nucleon transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions using clover and domain wall fermions

We present a lattice QCD calculation of transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) of protons using staple-shaped Wilson lines. For time-reversal odd observables, we calculate the generalized Sivers and Boer-Mulders transverse momentum shifts in SIDIS and DY cases, and for T-even observables we calculate the transversity related to the tensor charge and the generalized worm-gear shift. The calculation is done on two different n_f=2+1 ensembles: domain-wall fermion (DWF) with lattice spacing 0.084 fm and pion mass of 297 MeV, and clover fermion with lattice spacing 0.114 fm and pion mass of 317 MeV. The results from those two different discretizations are consistent with each other.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

Lattice QCD study of the Boer-Mulders effect in a pion

The three-dimensional momenta of quarks inside a hadron are encoded in transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). This work presents an exploratory lattice QCD study of a TMD observable in the pion describing the Boer-Mulders effect, which is related to polarized quark transverse momentum in an unpolarized hadron. Particular emphasis is placed on the behavior as a function of a Collins-Soper evolution parameter quantifying the relative rapidity of the struck quark and the initial hadron, e.g., in a semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) process. The lattice calculation, performed at the pion mass m_pi = 518 MeV, utilizes a definition of TMDs via hadronic matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator with a staple-shaped gauge connection; in this context, the evolution parameter is related to the staple direction. By parametrizing the aforementioned matrix elements in terms of invariant amplitudes, the problem can be cast in a Lorentz frame suited for the lattice calculation. In contrast to an earlier nucleon study, due to the lower mass of the pion, the calculated data enable quantitative statements about the physically interesting limit of large relative rapidity. In passing, the similarity between the Boer-Mulders effects extracted in the pion and the nucleon is noted.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2014

Initial nucleon structure results with chiral quarks at the physical point

We report initial nucleon structure results computed on lattices with 2+1 dynamical M\"obius domain wall fermions at the physical point generated by the RBC and UKQCD collaborations. At this stage, we evaluate only connected quark contributions. In particular, we discuss the nucleon vector and axial-vector form factors, nucleon axial charge and the isovector quark momentum fraction. From currently available statistics, we estimate the stochastic accuracy of the determination of $g_A$ and $ _{u-d}$ to be around 10%, and we expect to reduce that to 5% within the next year. To reduce the computational cost of our calculations, we extensively use acceleration techniques such as low-eigenmode deflation and all-mode-averaging (AMA). We present a method for choosing optimal AMA parameters.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2014

Nucleon electromagnetic form factors from lattice QCD using a nearly physical pion mass

We present lattice QCD calculations of nucleon electromagnetic form factors using pion masses $m_\pi$ = 149, 202, and 254 MeV and an action with clover-improved Wilson quarks coupled to smeared gauge fields, as used by the Budapest-Marseille-Wuppertal collaboration. Particular attention is given to removal of the effects of excited state contamination by calculation at three source-sink separations and use of the summation and generalized pencil-of-function methods. The combination of calculation at the nearly physical mass $m_\pi$ = 149 MeV in a large spatial volume ($m_\pi L_s$ = 4.2) and removal of excited state effects yields agreement with experiment for the electric and magnetic form factors $G_E(Q^2)$ and $G_M(Q^2)$ up to $Q^2$ = 0.5 GeV$^2$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Lattice study of the Boer-Mulders transverse momentum distribution in the pion

The Boer-Mulders transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution (TMD) characterizes polarized quark transverse momentum in an unpolarized hadron. Techniques previously developed for lattice calculations of nucleon TMDs are applied to the pion. These techniques are based on the evaluation of matrix elements of quark bilocal operators containing a staple-shaped Wilson connection. Results for the Boer-Mulders transverse momentum shift in the pion, obtained at a pion mass of $m_{\pi} = 518\, \mbox{MeV} $, are presented and compared to corresponding results in the nucleon.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Strange quark contributions to nucleon mass and spin from lattice QCD

Contributions of strange quarks to the mass and spin of the nucleon, characterized by the observables f_Ts and Delta s, respectively, are investigated within lattice QCD. The calculation employs a 2+1-flavor mixed-action lattice scheme, thus treating the strange quark degrees of freedom in dynamical fashion. Numerical results are obtained at three pion masses, m_pi = 495 MeV, 356 MeV, and 293 MeV, renormalized, and chirally extrapolated to the physical pion mass. The value extracted for Delta s at the physical pion mass in the MSbar scheme at a scale of 2 GeV is Delta s = -0.031(17), whereas the strange quark contribution to the nucleon mass amounts to f_Ts =0.046(11). In the employed mixed-action scheme, the nucleon valence quarks as well as the strange quarks entering the nucleon matrix elements which determine f_Ts and Delta s are realized as domain wall fermions, propagators of which are evaluated in MILC 2+1-flavor dynamical asqtad quark ensembles. The use of domain wall fermions leads to mild renormalization behavior which proves especially advantageous in the extraction of f_Ts.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Nucleon Structure from Lattice QCD Using a Nearly Physical Pion Mass

We report the first Lattice QCD calculation using the almost physical pion mass mpi=149 MeV that agrees with experiment for four fundamental isovector observables characterizing the gross structure of the nucleon: the Dirac and Pauli radii, the magnetic moment, and the quark momentum fraction. The key to this success is the combination of using a nearly physical pion mass and excluding the contributions of excited states. An analogous calculation of the nucleon axial charge governing beta decay has inconsistencies indicating a source of bias at low pion masses not present for the other observables and yields a result that disagrees with experiment.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Nucleon Scalar and Tensor Charges from Lattice QCD with Light Wilson Quarks

We present 2+1 flavor Lattice QCD calculations of the nucleon scalar and tensor charges. Using the BMW clover-improved Wilson action with pion masses between 150 and 350 MeV and three source-sink separations between 0.9 and 1.4 fm, we achieve good control over excited-state contamination and extrapolation to the physical pion mass. As a consistency check, we also present results from calculations using unitary domain wall fermions with pion masses between 300 and 400 MeV, and using domain wall valence quarks and staggered sea quarks with pion masses between 300 and 600 MeV.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

On the Doppler effect for light from orbiting sources in Kerr-type metrics

A formula is derived for the combined motional and gravitational Doppler effect in general stationary axisymmetric metrics for a photon emitted parallel or antiparallel to the assumed circular orbital motion of its source. The same formula is derived from eikonal approximation and Killing vector approaches to elucidate connections between observational astronomy and modern Relativity. The formula yields expected results in the limits of a moving or stationary source in the exterior Kerr and Schwarzschild metrics and a moving source in flat space.

gr-qc↗