arXiv subjects

S. Scopetta

Publications and source records attributed to S. Scopetta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Coherent $J/ \psi$ electroproduction on $^4$He and $^3$He at the Electron-Ion Collider: probing nuclear shadowing one nucleon at a time

While the phenomenon of gluon nuclear shadowing at small $x$ has been getting confirmation in QCD analyses of various LHC measurements involving heavy nuclei, it has not been possible so far to establish experimentally the number of target nucleons responsible for nuclear shadowing in a given process. To address this issue, we study coherent $J / \psi$ electroproduction on $^4$He and $^3$He in the kinematics of a future electron-ion collider and show that this process has the power to disentangle the contributions of the interaction with a specific number of nucleons $k$, in particular, with two nucleons at the momentum transfer $t \neq 0$. We predict a dramatic shift of the $t$-dependence of the differential cross section toward smaller values of $|t|$ due to a non-trivial correlation between $x$ and $k$. This calculation, which makes use for the first time of realistic wave functions, provides a stringent test of models of nuclear shadowing and a novel probe of the 3D imaging of gluons in light nuclei. In addition, thanks to this analysis, unique information on the real part of the corresponding scattering amplitude could be accessed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Exposing Novel Quark and Gluon Effects in Nuclei

The fundamental theory of the strong interaction -- quantum chromodynamics (QCD) -- provides the foundational framework with which to describe and understand the key properties of atomic nuclei. A deep understanding of the explicit role of quarks and gluons in nuclei remains elusive however, as these effects have thus far been well-disguised by confinement effects in QCD which are encapsulated by a successful description in terms of effective hadronic degrees of freedom. The observation of the EMC effect has provided an enduring indication for explicit QCD effects in nuclei, and points to the medium modification of the bound protons and neutrons in the nuclear medium. Understanding the EMC effect is a major challenge for modern nuclear physics, and several key questions remain, such as understanding its flavor, spin, and momentum dependence. This manuscript provides a contemporary snapshot of our understanding of the role of QCD in nuclei and outlines possible pathways in experiment and theory that will help deepen our understanding of nuclei in the context of QCD.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

The LHCSpin Project

LHCSpin aims at installing a polarized gas target in front of the LHCb spectrometer, bringing, for the first time, polarized physics to the LHC. The project will benefit from the experience achieved with the installation of an unpolarized gas target at LHCb during the LHC Long Shutdown 2. LHCb will then become the first experiment simultaneously running in collider and fixed-target mode with polarized targets, opening a whole new range of explorations to its exceptional spectrometer. LHCSpin will offer a unique opportunity to probe polarized quark and gluon parton distributions in nucleons and nuclei, especially at high $x$ and intermediate $Q^2$, where experimental data are still largely missing. Beside standard collinear parton distribution functions (PDFs), LHCSpin will make it possible to study multidimensional polarized parton distributions that depend also on parton transverse momentum. The study of the multidimensional partonic structure of the nucleon, particularly including polarization effects, can test our knowledge of QCD at an unprecedented level of sophistication, both in the perturbative and nonperturbative regime. At the same time, an accurate knowledge of hadron structure is necessary for precision measurements of Standard Model (SM) observables and discovery of physics beyond the SM. Due to the intricate nature of the strong interaction, it is indispensable to perform the widest possible suite of experimental measurements. It will be ideal to have two new projects complementing each other: a new facility for polarized electron-proton collisions and a new facility for polarized proton-proton collisions. LHCSpin stands out at the moment as the most promising candidate for the second type of project, going beyond the kinematic coverage and the accuracy of the existent experiments, especially on the heavy-quark sector.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Final state interactions and the extraction of neutron single spin asymmetries from SIDIS by a transversely polarized $^3$He target

The semi-inclusive deep inelastic electron scattering off transversely polarized $^3$He, i.e. the process, $e + \vec{^3 {\rm He}} \to e' + h+X$, with $h$ a detected fast hadron, is studied beyond the plane wave impulse approximation. To this end, a distorted spin-dependent spectral function of a nucleon inside an A=3 nucleus is actually evaluated through a generalized eikonal approximation, in order to take into account the final state interactions between the hadronizing system and the (A-1) nucleon spectator one. Our realistic description of both nuclear target and final state is a substantial step forward for achieving a reliable extraction of the Sivers and Collins single spin asymmetries of the free neutron. To illustrate how and to what extent the model dependence due to the treatment of the nuclear effects is under control, we apply our approach to the extraction procedure of the neutron single spin asymmetries from those measured for $^3$He for values of the kinematical variables relevant both for forthcoming experiments at Jefferson Lab and, with an exploratory purpose, for the future Electron Ion Collider.

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arXiv2015

3D Structure and Nuclear Targets

Recent experimental and theoretical ideas are laying the ground for a new era in the knowledge of the parton structure of nuclei. We report on two promising directions beyond inclusive deep inelastic scattering experiments, aimed at, among other goals, unveiling the three dimensional structure of the bound nucleon. The 3D structure in coordinate space can be accessed through deep exclusive processes, whose non-perturbative content is parametrized in terms of generalized parton distributions. In this way the distribution of partons in the transverse plane will be obtained, providing a pictorial view of the realization of the European Muon Collaboration effect. In particular, we show how, through the generalized parton distribution framework, non nucleonic degrees of freedom in nuclei can be unveiled. Analogously, the momentum space 3D structure can be accessed by studying transverse momentum dependent parton distributions in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes. The status of measurements is also summarized, in particular novel coincidence measurements at high luminosity facilities, such as Jefferson Laboratory. Finally the prospects for the next years at future facilities, such as the 12~GeV Jefferson Laboratory and the Electron Ion Collider, are presented.

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arXiv2015

Double parton scattering: a study of the effective cross section within a Light-Front quark model

We present a calculation of the effective cross section $σ_{eff}$, an important ingredient in the description of double parton scattering in proton-proton collisions. Our theoretical approach makes use of a Light-Front quark model as framework to calculate the double parton distribution functions at low-resolution scale. QCD evolution is implemented to reach the experimental scale. The obtained $σ_{eff}$, when averaged over the longitudinal momentum fractions of the interacting partons, $x_i$, is consistent with the present experimental scenario. However the result of the complete calculation shows a dependence of $σ_{eff}$ on $x_i$, a feature not easily seen in the available data, probably because of their low accuracy. Measurements of $σ_{eff}$ in restricted $x_i$ regions are addressed to obtain indications on double parton correlations, a novel and interesting aspect of the three dimensional structure of the nucleon.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

The pion distribution amplitude and the pion-photon transition form factor in a nonlocal chiral quark model

We study the pion Distribution Amplitude (πDA) in the context of a nonlocal chiral quark model. The corresponding Lagrangian reproduces the phenomenological values of the pion mass and decay constant, as well as the momentum dependence of the quark propagator obtained in lattice calculations. It is found that the obtained πDA has two symmetric maxima, which arise from the new contributions generated by the nonlocal character of the interactions. This πDA is applied to leading order and next-to-leading order calculations of the pion-photon transition form factor. Implications of the results are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Distorted spin-dependent spectral function of an A=3 nucleus and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes

The distorted spin-dependent spectral function of a nucleon inside an A=3 nucleus is introduced as a novel tool for investigating the polarized electron scattering off polarized $^3$He in semi-inclusive DIS regime (SiDIS), going beyond the standard plane wave impulse approximation. This distribution function is applied to the study of the spectator SiDIS, $\vec{^3{\rm He}}(\vec e, e' ~{^2}{\rm H})X$, in order to properly take into account the final state interaction between the hadronizing quark and the detected deuteron, with the final goal of a more reliable extraction of the polarized parton-distribution $g_1(x)$ inside a bound proton. Our analysis allows to single out two well-defined kinematical regions where the experimental asymmetries could yield very interesting information: the region where the final state effects can be minimized, and therefore the direct access to the parton distributions in the proton is feasible, and the one where the final state interaction dominates, and the spectator SiDIS reactions can elucidate the mechanism of the quark hadronization itself. The perspectives of extending our approach i) to the mirror nucleus, $^3$H, for achieving a less model-dependent flavor decomposition, and ii) to the asymmetries measured in the standard SiDIS reactions, $\vec e + \vec{^3 {\rm He}} \to e' + h+X$ with $h$ a detected fast hadron, with the aim of extracting the neutron transversity, are discussed.

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arXiv2013

Double parton correlations in constituent quark models

Double parton correlations, having effects on the double parton scattering processes occurring in high-energy hadron-hadron collisions, for example at the LHC, are studied in the valence quark region, within constituent quark models. In this framework, two particle correlations are present without any additional prescription, at variance with what happens, for example, in independent particle models, such as the MIT bag model in its simplest version. From the present analysis, conclusions similar to the ones obtained recenty in a modified version of the bag model can be drawn: correlations in the longitudinal momenta of the active quarks are found to be sizable, while those in transverse momentum are much smaller. However, the used framework allows to understand clearly the dynamical origin of the correlations. In particular, it is shown that the small size of the correlations in transverse momentum is a model dependent result, which would not occur if models with sizable quark orbital angular momentum were used to describe the proton. Our analysis permits therefore to clarify the dynamical origin of the double parton correlations and to establish which, among the features of the results, are model independent. The possibility to test experimentally the studied effects is discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Extracting generalized neutron parton distributions from 3He data

An impulse approximation analysis is described of the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) H and E of the 3He nucleus, quantities which are accessible in hard exclusive processes, such as coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS). The calculation is based on the Av18 interaction. The electromagnetic form factors are correctly recovered in the proper limits. The sum of the GPDs H and E of 3He, at low momentum transfer, is largely dominated by the neutron contribution, thanks to the unique spin structure of 3He. This nucleus is therefore very promising for the extraction of the neutron information. By increasing the momentum transfer, however, this conclusion is somehow hindered by the the fast growing proton contribution. Besides, even when the neutron contribution to the GPDs of 3He is largely dominating, the procedure of extracting the neutron GPDs from it could be, in principle, nontrivial. A technique is therefore proposed, independent on both the nuclear potential and the nucleon model used in the calculation, able to take into account the nuclear effects included in the IA analysis and to safely extract the neutron information at values of the momentum transfer large enough to allow the measurements. Thanks to this observation, coherent DVCS should be considered a key experiment to access the neutron GPDs and, in turn, the orbital angular momentum of the partons in the neutron.

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arXiv2012

Neutron orbital structure from generalized parton distributions of 3He

The generalized parton distribution H and E of the 3He nucleus, which could be measured in hard exclusive processes, such as coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering, are thoroughly analyzed in impulse approximation, within the Av18 interaction. It is found that their sum is dominated to a large extent by the neutron contribution: The peculiar spin structure of 3He makes this target unique for the extraction of the neutron information. This observation could allow to access for the first time, in dedicated experiments, the orbital angular momentum of the partons in the neutron.

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arXiv2012

The eta-photon transition form factor

The eta-photon transition form factor is evaluated in a formalism based on a phenomenological description at low values of the photon virtuality, and a QCD-based description at high photon virtualities, matching at a scale $Q_{0}^{2}$. The high photon virtuality description makes use of a Distribution Amplitude calculated in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with Pauli-Villars regularization at the matching scale $Q_{0}^{2}$, and QCD evolution from $Q_{0}^{2}$ to higher values of $Q^{2}$. A good description of the available data is obtained. The analysis indicates that the recent data from the BaBar collaboration on pion and eta transition form factor can be well reproduced, if a small contribution of twist three at the matching scale $Q_{0}^{2}$ is included.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Universality of nucleon-nucleon short-range correlations: two-nucleon momentum distributions in few-body systems

Using realistic wave functions, the proton-neutron and proton-proton momentum distributions in $^3He$ and $^4He$ are calculated as a function of the relative, $k_{rel}$, and center of mass, $K_{CM}$, momenta, and the angle between them. For large values of ${k}_{rel}\gtrsim 2\,\,fm^{-1}$ and small values of ${K}_{CM} \lesssim 1.0\,\,fm^{-1}$, both distributions are angle independent and decrease with increasing $K_{CM}$, with the $pn$ distribution factorizing into the deuteron momentum distribution times a rapidly decreasing function of $K_{CM}$, in agreement with the two-nucleon (2N) short range correlation (SRC) picture. When $K_{CM}$ and $k_{rel}$ are both large, the distributions exhibit a strong angle dependence, which is evidence of three-nucleon (3N) SRC. The predicted center-of-mass and angular dependence of 2N and 3N SRC should be observable in two-nucleon knock-out processes $A(e,e'pN)X$.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

Transversity studies with a polarized 3He target

A realistic study of the SiDIS process 3He(e,e'π)X in the Bjorken limit is briefly reviewed, showing that the nuclear effects, present in the extraction of the neutron information, are largely under theoretical control, within an Impulse-Approximation approach. In view of the forthcoming experimental data, we shortly present a novel Poincare' covariant description of the nuclear target, implementing a Light-Front analysis at finite Q^2, within the Bakamijan-Thomas construction of the Poincare' generators. Furthermore, as a by-product of the introduction of a Light-Front spin-dependent spectral function for a J=1/2 system, we straightforwardly extend our analysis to the quark-quark correlator, obtaining three new exact relations between the six leading-twist Transverse-Momentum Dependent distributions.

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arXiv2011

Non-perturbative momentum dependence of the coupling constant and hadronic models

Models of hadron structure are associated with a hadronic scale which allows by perturbative evolution to calculate observables in the deep inelastic region. The resolution of Dyson-Schwinger equations leads to the freezing of the QCD running coupling (effective charge) in the infrared, which is best understood as a dynamical generation of a gluon mass function, giving rise to a momentum dependence which is free from infrared divergences. We use this new development to understand why perturbative treatments are working reasonably well despite the smallness of the hadronic scale.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Generalized parton distributions and the parton structure of light nuclei

The measurement of nuclear Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) represents a valuable tool to understand the structure of bound nucleons and the phenomenology of hard scattering off nuclei. By using a realistic, non-relativistic microscopic approach for the evaluation of GPDs of 3He, it will be shown that conventional nuclear effects, such as isospin and binding ones, or the uncertainty related to the use of a given nucleon-nucleon potential, are bigger than in the forward case so that, if great attention is not paid, conventional nuclear effects can be easily mistaken for exotic ones. It is stressed that 3He, for which the best realistic calculations are possible, represents a unique target to discriminate between conventional and exotic effects. The complementary information which could be obtained by using a 3H target, the possible extraction of the neutron information, as well as the relevance of a relativistic treatment, will be also addressed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2010

Short range correlations and wave function factorization in light and finite nuclei

Recent BNL and Jlab data provided new evidence on two nucleon correlations (2NC) in nuclei. The data confirm the validity of the convolution model, describing the spectral function (SF) of a correlated pair moving in the mean field with high and low relative and center-of-mass (cm) momenta, respectively. The model is built assuming that the wave function (WF) of a nucleus A, describing a configuration where the cm momentum of a correlated pair is low and its relative momentum is high, factorizes into the product of the two-body WF and that of the A-2 system. Such a factorization has been shown to occur in nuclear matter (NM). Here it is shown that few-body systems exhibit factorization, which seems to be therefore a general property, to be reproduced also in studies of the WF of finite nuclei.

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arXiv2009

Analyzing the Boer-Mulders function within different quark models

A general formalism for the evaluation of time reversal odd parton distributions is applied here to calculate the Boer-Mulders function. The same formalism when applied to evaluate the Sivers function led to results which fulfill the Burkardt sum rule quite well. The calculation here has been performed for two different models of proton structure: a constituent quark model and the MIT bag model. In the latter case, important differences are found with respect to a previous evaluation in the same framework, a feature already encountered in the calculation of the Sivers function. The results obtained are consistent with the present wisdom, i.e., the contributions for the $u$ and $d$ flavors turn out to have the same sign, following the pattern suggested analyzing the model independent features of the impact parameter dependent generalized parton distributions. It is therefore confirmed that the present approach is suitable for the analysis of time reversal odd distribution functions. A critical comparison between the outcomes of the two models, as well as between the results of the calculations for the Sivers and Boer-Mulders functions, is also carried out.

hep-ph↗