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R. D. Young

Publications and source records attributed to R. D. Young.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Octet Spin Fractions and the Proton Spin Problem

The relatively small fraction of the spin of the proton carried by its quarks presents a major challenge to our understanding of the strong interaction. Traditional efforts to explore this problem have involved new and imaginative experiments and QCD based studies of the nucleon. We propose a new approach to the problem which exploits recent advances in lattice QCD. In particular, we extract values for the spin carried by the quarks in other members of the baryon octet in order to see whether the suppression observed for the proton is a general property or depends significantly on the baryon structure. We compare these results with the values for the spin fractions calculated within a model that includes the effects of confinement, relativity, gluon exchange currents and the meson cloud required by chiral symmetry, finding a very satisfactory level of agreement given the precision currently attainable.

nucl-th↗

Scale setting, sigma terms and the Feynman-Hellman theorem

The authors recently presented new values for the octet baryon sigma terms. These were extracted using the Feynman-Hellman theorem from a chiral perturbation theory fit to octet baryon mass data from the PACS-CS collaboration. Of particular interest is the precise determination of the strangeness sigma term $σ_s = 21 \pm 6$ MeV. In this work, we elaborate on the critical effect which the choice of scale setting has on this value. We discuss the prospect that the comparison of direct and 'spectrum' determinations of the sigma terms from the lattice can provide insight not only into scale setting on the lattice, but into QCD itself.

hep-lat↗

Strong contribution to octet baryon mass splittings

We calculate the $m_d-m_u$ contribution to the mass splittings in baryonic isospin multiplets using SU(3) chiral perturbation theory and lattice QCD. Fitting isospin-averaged perturbation theory functions to PACS-CS and QCDSF-UKQCD Collaboration lattice simulations of octet baryon masses, and using the physical light quark mass ratio $m_u/m_d$ as input, allows $M_n-M_p$, $M_{Σ^-}-M_{Σ^+}$ and $M_{Ξ^-}-M_{Ξ^0}$ to be evaluated from the full SU(3) theory. The resulting values for each mass splitting are consistent with the experimental values after allowing for electromagnetic corrections. In the case of the nucleon, we find $M_n-M_p= 2.9 \pm 0.4 \textrm{MeV}$, with the dominant uncertainty arising from the error in $m_u/m_d$.

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Strange quark content of the nucleon and dark matter searches

The strange quark scalar content plays an important role in both the description of nucleon structure and in the determination of dark matter direct detection cross sections. As a measure of the strange-quark contribution to the nucleon mass, the strange-quark sigma term (σ_s) provides important insight into the nature of mass generation in QCD. The phenomenological determination of σ_s exhibits a wide range of variation, with values suggesting that the strange quark contributes anywhere between 0 and more than 30% of the nucleon mass. In the context of dark matter searches, coupled with relatively large Higgs coupling to strangeness, this variation dominates the uncertainty in predicted cross sections for a large class of dark matter models. Here we report on the recent results in lattice QCD, which are now giving a far more precise determination of σ_s than can be inferred from phenomenology. As a consequence, the lattice determinations of σ_s can now dramatically reduce the uncertainty in dark matter cross sections associated with the hadronic matrix elements.

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Baryon resonances and hadronic interactions in a finite volume

In a finite volume, resonances and multi-hadron states are identified by discrete energy levels. When comparing the results of lattice QCD calculations to scattering experiments, it is important to have a way of associating the energy spectrum of the finite-volume lattice with the asymptotic behaviour of the S-matrix. A new technique for comparing energy eigenvalues with scattering phase shifts is introduced, which involves the construction of an exactly solvable matrix Hamiltonian model. The model framework is applied to the case of $Δ\rightarrow Nπ$ decay, but is easily generalized to include multi-channel scattering. Extracting resonance parameters involves matching the energy spectrum of the model to that of a lattice QCD calculation. The resulting fit parameters are then used to generate phase shifts. Using a sample set of pseudodata, it is found that the extraction of the resonance position is stable with respect to volume for a variety of regularization schemes, and compares favorably with the well-known Luescher method. The model-dependence of the result is briefly investigated.

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Chiral extrapolation of nucleon magnetic moments at next-to-leading-order

Nucleon magnetic moments display a rich nonanalytic dependence on the quark mass in both quenched and full QCD. They provide a forum for a detailed examination of the connection between quenched and full QCD made possible through the formalism of finite-range regularised chiral effective field theory. By defining meson-cloud and core contributions through the careful selection of a regularisation scale, one can correct the meson cloud of quenched QCD to make full QCD predictions. Whereas past success is based on unquenching the leading-order loop contributions, here we extend and test the formalism including next to leading-order (NLO) loop contributions. We discuss the subtleties associated with working at NLO and illustrate the role of higher-order corrections.

hep-ph↗

Sigma terms from an SU(3) chiral extrapolation

We report a new analysis of lattice simulation results for octet baryon masses in 2+1-flavor QCD, with an emphasis on a precise determination of the strangeness nucleon sigma term. A controlled chiral extrapolation of a recent PACS-CS Collaboration data set yields baryon masses which exhibit remarkable agreement both with experimental values at the physical point and with the results of independent lattice QCD simulations at unphysical meson masses. Using the Feynman-Hellmann relation, we evaluate sigma commutators for all octet baryons. The small statistical uncertainty, and considerably smaller model-dependence, allows a signifcantly more precise determination of the pion-nucleon sigma commutator and the strangeness sigma term than hitherto possible, namely σπN=45 \pm 6 MeV and σs = 21 \pm 6 MeV at the physical point.

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Volume Dependence of the Axial Charge of the Nucleon

It is shown that the strong volume-dependence of the axial charge of the nucleon seen in lattice QCD calculations can be understood quantitatively in terms of the pion-induced interactions between neighbouring nucleons. The associated wave function renormalization leads to an increased suppression of the axial charge as the strength of the interaction increases, either because of a decrease in lattice size or in pion mass.

hep-lat↗

Chiral extrapolations for nucleon magnetic moments

Lattice QCD simulations have made significant progress in the calculation of nucleon electromagnetic form factors in the chiral regime in recent years. With simulation results achieving pion masses of order ~180 MeV, there is an apparent challenge as to how the physical regime is approached. By using contemporary methods in chiral effective field theory, both the quark-mass and finite-volume dependence of the isovector nucleon magnetic moment are carefully examined. The extrapolation to the physical point yields a result that is compatible with experiment, albeit with a combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of 10%. The extrapolation shows a strong finite-volume dependence; lattice sizes of L > 5 fm must be used to simulate results within 2% of the infinite-volume result for the magnetic moment at the physical pion mass.

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Charge Symmetry Breaking in Spin Dependent Parton Distributions and the Bjorken Sum Rule

We present the first determination of charge symmetry violation (CSV) in the spin-dependent parton distribution functions of the nucleon. This is done by determining the first two Mellin moments of the spin-dependent parton distribution functions of the octet baryons from N_f = 2 + 1 lattice simulations. The results are compared with predictions from quark models of nucleon structure. We discuss the contribution of partonic spin CSV to the Bjorken sum rule, which is important because the CSV contributions represent the only partonic corrections to the Bjorken sum rule.

hep-lat↗

Strangeness in the nucleon: what have we learned?

We review the state of our knowledge concerning the contribution of strange quarks to various nucleon properties. In the case of the electric and magnetic form factors, the level of agreement between theory and experiment is very satisfactory and gives us considerable confidence in our capacity to make reliable calculations within non-perturbative QCD. In view of the importance of the scalar form factors to the detection of dark matter candidates such as neutralinos, we place a particular emphasis on the determination of the pi-N and strange quark sigma commutators.

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Strange quarks and lattice QCD

The last few years have seen a dramatic improvement in our knowledge of the strange form factors of the nucleon. With regard to the vector from factors the level of agreement between theory and experiment gives us considerable confidence in our ability to calculate with non-perturbative QCD. The calculation of the strange scalar form factor has moved significantly in the last two years, with the application of new techniques which yield values considerably smaller than believed for the past 20 years. These new values turn out to have important consequences for the detection of neutralinos, a favourite dark matter candidate. Finally, very recent lattice studies have resurrected interest in the famed H-dibaryon, with modern chiral extrapolation of lattice data suggesting that it may be only slightly unbound. We review some of the major sources of uncertainty in that chiral extrapolation.

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Chiral extrapolation beyond the power-counting regime

Chiral effective field theory can provide valuable insight into the chiral physics of hadrons when used in conjunction with non-perturbative schemes such as lattice QCD. In this discourse, the attention is focused on extrapolating the mass of the rho meson to the physical pion mass in quenched QCD (QQCD). With the absence of a known experimental value, this serves to demonstrate the ability of the extrapolation scheme to make predictions without prior bias. By using extended effective field theory developed previously, an extrapolation is performed using quenched lattice QCD data that extends outside the chiral power-counting regime (PCR). The method involves an analysis of the renormalization flow curves of the low energy coefficients in a finite-range regularized effective field theory. The analysis identifies an optimal regulator, which is embedded in the lattice QCD data themselves. This optimal regulator is the regulator value at which the renormalization of the low energy coefficients is approximately independent of the range of quark masses considered. By using recent precision, quenched lattice results, the extrapolation is tested directly by truncating the analysis to a set of points above 380 MeV, while being blinded of the results probing deeply into the chiral regime. The result is a successful extrapolation to the chiral regime.

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Mass of the H-dibaryon

Recent lattice QCD calculations have reported evidence for the existence of a bound state with strangeness -2 and baryon number 2 at quark masses somewhat higher than the physical values. By developing a description of the dependence of this binding energy on the up, down and strange quark masses that allows a controlled chiral extrapolation, we explore the hypothesis that this state is to be identified with the $H$-dibaryon. Taking as input the recent results of the HAL and NPLQCD Collaborations, we show that the $H$-dibaryon is likely to be unbound by $13 \pm 14$ MeV at the physical point.

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Charge Symmetry Breaking in Parton Distribution Functions from Lattice QCD

By determining the quark momentum fractions of the octet baryons from N_f=2+1 lattice simulations, we are able to predict the degree of charge symmetry violation in the parton distribution functions of the nucleon. This is of importance, not only as a probe of our understanding of the non-perturbative structure of the proton but also because such a violation constrains the accuracy of global fits to parton distribution functions and hence the accuracy with which, for example, cross sections at the LHC can be predicted. A violation of charge symmetry may also be critical in cases where symmetries are used to guide the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.

hep-lat↗

Power Counting Regime of Chiral Effective Field Theory and Beyond

Chiral effective field theory complements numerical simulations of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) on a space-time lattice. It provides a model-independent formalism for connecting lattice simulation results at finite volume and a variety of quark masses to the physical world. The asymptotic nature of the chiral expansion places the focus on the first few terms of the expansion. Thus, knowledge of the power-counting regime (PCR) of chiral effective field theory, where higher-order terms of the expansion may be regarded as negligible, is as important as knowledge of the expansion itself. Through the consideration of a variety of renormalization schemes and associated parameters, techniques to identify the PCR where results are independent of the renormalization scheme are established. The nucleon mass is considered as a benchmark for illustrating this general approach. Because the PCR is small, the numerical simulation results are also examined to search for the possible presence of an intrinsic scale which may be used in a nonperturbative manner to describe lattice simulation results outside of the PCR. Positive results that improve on the current optimistic application of chiral perturbation theory beyond the PCR are reported.

hep-lat↗

An analysis of the nucleon spectrum from lattice partially-quenched QCD

The chiral extrapolation of the nucleon mass, M_n, is investigated using data coming from 2-flavour partially-quenched lattice simulations. A large sample of lattice results from the CP-PACS Collaboration is analysed using the leading one-loop corrections, with explicit corrections for finite lattice spacing artifacts. The extrapolation is studied using finite range regularised chiral perturbation theory. The analysis also provides a quantitative estimate of the leading finite volume corrections. It is found that the discretisation, finite-volume and partial quenching effects can all be very well described in this framework, producing an extrapolated value of M_n in agreement with experiment. Furthermore, determinations of the low energy constants of the nucleon mass's chiral expansion are in agreement with previous methods, but with significantly reduced errors. This procedure is also compared with extrapolations based on polynomial forms, where the results are less encouraging.

hep-lat↗

Octet baryon masses and sigma terms from an SU(3) chiral extrapolation

We report an analysis of the impressive new lattice simulation results for octet baryon masses in 2+1-flavor QCD. The analysis is based on a low order expansion about the chiral SU(3) limit in which the symmetry breaking arises from terms linear in the quark masses plus the variation of the Goldstone boson masses in the leading chiral loops. The baryon masses evaluated at the physical light quark masses are in remarkable agreement with the experimental values, with a model dependence considerably smaller than the rather small statistical uncertainty. From the mass formulae one can evaluate the sigma commutators for all octet baryons. This yields an accurate value for the pion-nucleon sigma commutator. It also yields the first determination of the strangeness sigma term based on 2+1-flavor lattice QCD and, in general, the sigma commutators provide a resolution to the difficult issue of fine-tuning the strange quark mass.

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