arXiv subjects

Satyajit Puhan

Publications and source records attributed to Satyajit Puhan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Leading-Neutron Electroproduction at HERA and the EIC: Sullivan Process, Target Fragmentation, and Pion PDFs

Leading-neutron electroproduction measurements from the H1 and ZEUS experiments at HERA have been used to constrain pion parton distribution functions (PDFs) at small momentum fractions within the Sullivan one-pion-exchange (OPE) framework, complementing large-$x_\pi$ constraints from pion-induced Drell--Yan measurements. Previous analyses have focused primarily on the region of large neutron longitudinal momentum fraction, $x_L$, where contributions from deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) target fragmentation are suppressed. In this work, we use the \textsc{Pythia} event generator to model the target-fragmentation contribution and show that its combination with the OPE contribution reproduces the main features of the HERA leading-neutron data over the full measured $x_L$ range without introducing additional ad hoc normalization factors. This result demonstrates the potential of incorporating a broader range of leading-neutron data into future global analyses, thereby extending sensitivity to smaller pion momentum fractions $x_\pi$. We investigate the model dependence associated with the pion--nucleon vertex form factor and show that the HERA data are sensitive to different target-fragmentation treatments implemented in \textsc{Pythia}. Finally, we present projections for leading-neutron production at the future U.S. Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), identifying beam-energy configurations and kinematic regions that provide enhanced sensitivity to pion structure while suppressing DIS target-fragmentation contributions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Extraction of Pion Unpolarized Quark and Gluon Generalized Parton Distributions using Deep Neural-Networks

We present a deep neural-network (DNN) extraction of the pion unpolarized quark and gluon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) using the corresponding parton distribution functions (PDFs) from the JAM21 and xFitter analysis, together with experimental measurements of the pion electromagnetic form factor (EMFF) and lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) results. The GPDs are parameterized using a physics-informed neural-network (PINN) that incorporates the known PDF behavior, an exponential momentum-transfer dependence, and a trainable neural network (NN) component. The network parameters are determined by minimizing a $\chi^2$-based loss function. For the valence-quark GPDs, the loss function includes contributions from the EMFF, squared EMFF, charge-normalization constraints, and regularization terms. For the gluon GPDs, it incorporates constraints from the gluon gravitational form factors together with regularization. This framework enables a flexible, nonparametric extraction while preserving the essential theoretical and phenomenological constraints. By employing the full ensemble of available PDF replicas, we quantify the uncertainties of the extracted GPDs over a broad kinematic range in the longitudinal momentum fraction and momentum transfer, with the uncertainty bands corresponding to the $1\sigma$ confidence interval. The extracted valence-quark GPDs are found to be in good agreement with available lattice-QCD calculations. Our study demonstrates that DNN-based methods provide a flexible and robust framework for extracting pion GPDs and probing the multidimensional internal structure of the pion, offering a promising avenue for future investigations of hadron tomography.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Mechanical distribution of the pseudoscalar charmonium and bottomonium on the light-front

We investigate the energy-momentum tensor of pseudoscalar charmonium and bottomonium within the framework of the light-front quark model. The gravitational form factors (GFFs), namely the $A$ and $D$-terms, are evaluated in terms of the light-front wave functions. The corresponding spatial mechanical distributions in the transverse plane are obtained through the Fourier transform of these GFFs. To examine the sensitivity of the results to the internal quark-antiquark distribution inside the meson, two distinct Gaussian forms are employed for the spatial part of the wave function. We analyze several mechanical properties in the transverse plane, including the momentum density, pressure distribution, shear stress, force density, and internal energy density. The pressure distribution exhibits a node where it changes sign from positive (repulsive) to negative (attractive) with increasing transverse distance. The force distribution remains positive throughout the transverse plane, supporting the stability condition proposed in earlier studies. Most of the spatial distributions, except for the shear stress, are found to be sensitive to the choice of the spatial wave function near the center of the meson, while they become nearly insensitive toward the periphery. In contrast, the shear stress distribution exhibits noticeable sensitivity to the choice of wave function in the intermediate transverse region.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Moderate-to-Large-$x$ Gluon Helicity from $J/ψ$ Production at $\sqrt{s}=27~\mathrm{GeV}$

We present a feasibility study of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry $A_{LL}$ in inclusive $J/ψ$ production in polarized proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}\approx 27~\mathrm{GeV}$ at the Spin Physics Detector (SPD) of the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA). At these moderate energies, $J/ψ$ production is dominated by gluon-gluon fusion, probing gluon momentum fractions $x\approx 0.1$-$0.2$ at central rapidity and highly asymmetric configurations at forward rapidity, where one parton can reach $x\approx 0.5$-$0.9$. This provides direct sensitivity to the poorly constrained moderate- to large-$x$ region of the gluon helicity distribution $Δg(x)$. We estimate $A_{LL}$ as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity using polarized parton distribution functions, focusing on the underlying partonic spin asymmetry. Nonperturbative long-distance effects are treated in a simplified manner and largely cancel in the asymmetry, enabling a direct assessment of gluon polarization sensitivity. We find asymmetries reaching $|A_{LL}|\approx 0.09$ at $p_T=3~\mathrm{GeV}$, with enhanced sensitivity at forward rapidity. The dominant theoretical uncertainty arises from polarized parton distribution functions. These results demonstrate that inclusive $J/ψ$ measurements at SPD/NICA provide a sensitive and complementary probe of gluon polarization at moderate and large $x$, extending constraints from RHIC into a kinematic regime not directly accessible to the EIC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Valence quark distribution of the pion inside a medium with finite baryon density: A Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model approach

We calculate the in-medium valence quark distribution of the pion immersed in a finite baryon density using the light-cone quark model. The medium-modified pion properties are obtained by using the constituent quark mass-dependent light cone wave functions. To obtain the constituent quark masses at finite baryon density, we employ the two-flavor Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. We primarily focus on the in-medium electromagnetic form factor, distribution amplitude, and the parton distribution function of the pion. The parton distribution functions are also evolved from the model scale to a perturbative scale using next to leading order Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution equations. Furthermore, our calculated form factors are compared with available experimental measurements and lattice quantum chromodynamics studies. We also examine the Mellin moments derived from our parton distribution functions in comparison with existing extractions and theoretical model predictions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

An Analysis on the Parton Distribution Functions of Heavy Mesons

In this work, we investigate the constituent parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the kaon and heavy pseudoscalar mesons within the light-cone quark model. Starting from the initial-scale quark and antiquark PDFs, obtained by evaluating the quark--quark correlation functions for individual mesons, we perform quantum chromodynamics (QCD) evolution to determine their partonic structure at higher energy scales. The QCD evolution is carried out using the next-to-leading-order (NLO) Dokshitzer--Gribov--Lipatov--Altarelli--Parisi (DGLAP) equations. We further compute the average longitudinal momentum fractions carried by the individual constituents at both the model and evolved scales. In addition, we predict the NLO structure functions of the kaon at energy scales relevant to the upcoming Electron--Ion Collider (EIC). For the COMPASS++/AMBER experiment, we also present detailed predictions for the NLO Drell--Yan cross sections induced by both $K^{+}$ and $K^{-}$ beams, using carbon, tungsten, and aluminum as nuclear targets. Finally, we demonstrate the dominance of the heavier constituents over the lighter constituents in heavy mesons in terms of the momentum fractions they carry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Extraction of Pion Unpolarized Quark Generalized Parton Distribution from Charge Form Factors

Based on a global fit to experimental measurements of the pion electromagnetic form factor and parton distribution functions (PDFs), we report a data-driven determination of the unpolarized quark generalized parton distributions (GPDs) for the case of pion in the zero-skewness limit ($ξ= 0$). The form factor is parameterized using a flexible functional form constrained by data and embedded into a GPD framework constructed from collinear PDFs and a profile function encoding transverse dynamics. This approach provides a unified description of the pion's electromagnetic structure and its spatial parton distributions. We present the extracted pion GPDs and their impact-parameter-space interpretations, offering new insights into the internal structure of the lightest QCD bound state and providing essential input for future electron-ion collider studies via the Sullivan process, as well as for the exclusive $π^+$ electroproduction at the 12~GeV Jefferson Lab program, pion-induced exclusive measurements at COMPASS, proposed pion-beam experiments at AMBER, and phenomenological and lattice investigations of the structure of the meson.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Internal structure of light mesons using the power law wave function

In this paper, we study the internal structure of light pseudoscalar mesons using spin improved power-law wave functions. We choose the pion and the kaon for our work. We use the standard quark-quark correlation functions to calculate the distribution amplitudes (DAs), parton distribution functions (PDFs), transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs), and generalized parton distribution functions (GPDs) at zero skewness and form factors. We present all the above distribution functions through the overlap of light-front wave functions (LFWFs). We use leading-order Efremov-Radyushkin-Brodsky-Lepage (ERBL) equations for DAs and next-to-leading-order (NLO) Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi (DGLAP) equations for PDFs to evolve them to higher scales. We find that only 41\% of the longitudinal momentum fraction is carried by the quark and antiquark of both pion and kaon at 16~GeV$^2$. The vector form factors for both the pion and the kaon are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. Similarly, the electromagnetic charge radii are found to be 0.668~fm and 0.704~fm for the pion and kaon, respectively.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Pion Parton Distribution Functions in the Light-Cone Quark Model and Experimental Constraints

In this work, we investigate the valence quark parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the pion within the light-cone quark model. The initial quark PDFs are calculated by solving the quark-quark correlation function for the pseudoscalar mesons. The initial quark PDFs have been evolved to higher energy scales through the Dokshitzer,Gribov,Lipatov,Altarelli,Parisi (DGLAP) evolution equations. We also find that our calculated evolved PDFs match experimental and available theoretical extraction data. For the first time, we have also predicted the $F_2$ structure function at next-to-leading (NLO) order accuracy. The calculated $F_2$ structure function has been compared with the available ZEUS and H1 experimental data at DESY-HERA over a wide range of energy scales. Additionally, we display the forward pion production cross-section for the Drell-Yan process caused by pions using the pion PDFs that were calculated and the target nucleon PDFs from the LHAPDF nucleus datasets. The evolved $F_2$ structure function of the pion have been studied at the upcoming electron-ion collider energy kinematics. Overall, it was observed that the quark PDFs of pions computed using the light-cone quark model consistent with the experimental results.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Spectroscopy of $ρ$-meson in symmetric nuclear medium

In this work, we investigate the behavior of the light vector $ρ$ meson in the presence of a symmetric nuclear medium at zero temperature. We calculate the mass and decay constant of the $ρ$-meson as well as the leading twist distribution amplitudes (DAs) in the light-front quark model in vacuum, which are further investigated at different baryonic densities. We also predict the Mellin moments of the DAs and decay width of the $ρ^0 \to e^+ e^-$ process in both vacuum and medium. The evolution of DAs is carried out by the leading order (LO) Efremov-Radyushkin-Brodsky-Lepage method and compared with available predictions. For better understanding of medium effects on $ρ$-meson, we have also predicted the in-medium charge ($G_C(Q^2)$), magnetic ($G_M(Q^2)$), and quadrupole ($G_Q(Q^2)$) form factors. The in-medium charge radii, magnetic moment, and quadrupole moment have also been predicted in this work. We have found that the nuclear medium induces appreciable modifications on the mass, weak decay constant, decay width, and distribution amplitudes of the $ρ$ meson. However, the charge radii, magnetic moment, and quadrupole moment are observed to exhibit weaker sensitivity to changes in baryonic density.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Distribution Functions of Radially Excited Pion using the Light-Front Quark Model

We investigate the internal structure of the ground ($1S$) and the first two radially excited ($2S,3S$) states of the pion within the light-front quark model. The valence Fock sector is described using pure harmonic-oscillator eigenstates and mixed states formed as orthogonal linear combinations of these eigenfunctions. The optimal wavefunction parameters are determined through a variational procedure based on a QCD-motivated effective Hamiltonian. Using the resulting light-front wavefunctions, we study the pion distribution amplitude, parton distribution function, and electromagnetic form factor. After QCD evolution, the ground state distribution amplitude and parton distribution function are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. At the model scale, the parton distribution functions of the $1S$ and $2S$ states show clear sensitivity to state mixing, while the distribution amplitudes and electromagnetic form factors are weakly sensitive. In contrast, for the $3S$ state, all three observables exhibit a pronounced sensitivity to mixing. The decay constants of the mixed states are also found to decrease sequentially with increasing radial excitation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Valence quark distribution of rho meson using light-front quark model

We investigate the partonic structure of the $ρ$ meson, the lightest spin-$1$ vector meson, within the light-front quark model (LFQM). To explore the sensitivity to model assumptions, we employ two distinct types of spin wave functions in the LFQM. Using light-front helicity wave functions, we derive explicit expressions for the leading-twist and subleading-twist quark parton distribution functions (PDFs), and evolve the leading-twist PDFs to higher scales with next-to-leading order (NLO) Dokshitzer--Gribov--Lipatov--Altarelli--Parisi (DGLAP) evolution. We have also calculated the Mellin moment from the evolved PDFs using a simple neural network frame and compared with available theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we compute the full set of nine leading-twist transverse-momentum-dependent distributions (TMDs) for the valence quark in the $ρ$ meson, including three tensor TMDs that arise from spin-$1$ tensor polarization of the hadron. Positivity constraints for the PDFs and TMDs are examined within this framework. Our findings highlight the crucial role of tensor polarization in shaping the three-dimensional partonic structure of vector mesons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

$D$ and $D^*$ mesons in isospin asymmetric nuclear medium

We investigate the properties of pseudoscalar $D$ and vector $D^*$ mesons in an isospin asymmetric nuclear medium using a hybrid approach that integrates the light-front quark model with the chiral SU(3) quark mean field model. The influence of isospin asymmetric nuclear medium is examined by utilizing the in-medium quark masses derived from the chiral SU(3) quark mean field model as an input in the light-front quark model to study the medium modification of $D$ mesons. We examine the impact of isospin asymmetry and baryon density at zero and finite temperature on the effective masses, weak decay constants, and distribution amplitudes of the pseudoscalar mesons $D^0$, $D^+$, $D_s$, and the vector mesons $D^{0*}$, $D^{+*}$, and $D_s^*$. Our results indicate significant medium-induced changes for pseudoscalar $D$ and vector $D^*$ mesons having $u/d$ as one of their constituent quarks, while a comparatively reduced effect is observed for mesons containing a strange quark. In contrast to temperature and isospin asymmetry, changes in the baryon density of the nuclear medium have a larger effect on different properties of $D$ and $D^*$ mesons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Valence quark distribution of light $ρ$ and heavy $J/ψ$ vector mesons in light-cone quark model

In this work, we have investigated the valence quark structure of light $ρ$ and heavy $J/ψ$ vector mesons using the light-cone quark model through unpolarized quark generalized parton distributions (GPDs). By solving the quark-quark correlator, we have represented the quark GPDs in the form of light-front wave function (LFWFs). The charge, magnetic, and quadrupole form factors of these particles have been derived from the unpolarized quark GPDs and compared with the available theoretical predictions and lattice simulation data. The structure functions corresponding to the Rosenbluth scattering cross section of these mesons have also been calculated and compared with the available NJL model predictions. The results of our calculations are found to follow a similar trend as the other model results. We have also calculated the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of these particles in the forward limit of GPDs. The calculated PDFs have also been evolved to 5 GeV $^2$ through next to next leading order Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi (DGLAP) evolutions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Scalar, Vector and Tensor Form Factors of Pion and Kaon

We calculate the possible scalar, vector, and tensor form factors (FFs) for pion and kaon in the light-cone quark model (LCQM). These FFs are calculated from the leading and sub-leading twist generalized parton distribution functions (GPDs) of the pion and kaon. The vector and tensor FFs correspond to twist-2 GPDs, whereas the scalar FFs correspond to twist-3 scalar GPDs. We calculate the FFs from the GPDs quark-quark correlator and express them in the form of light-front wave functions (LFWFs). The behavior of these FFs was found to be in sync with experimental data, other model predictions, and lattice simulation results. We have also calculated the charge radii corresponding to different FFs and compared them with other models, lattice simulation results, and experimental data. The scalar radii of the pion and kaon of our model are found to be $0.528$ and $0.409$ $fm$, respectively.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Valence quark properties of charged kaons in symmetric nuclear matter

We calculate the leading twist valence quark transverse momentum parton distribution functions (TMDs) and generalized parton distributions (GPDs) of the charged kaons in an isospin symmetric nuclear matter at zero temperature by employing the light-cone quark model. The medium modifications of the unpolarized TMDs and GPDs have been carried out by taking inputs from the chiral SU($3$) quark mean field model. The electromagnetic form factors (EMFFs) and charge radii have been calculated from the unpolarized GPDs for both the vacuum and in-medium cases. We have also calculated the variation of average transverse and longitudinal momenta for the active quark at high baryonic density. These results are found to be in good agreement with the available experimental data as well as with other model predictions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Impact of isospin asymmetric nuclear medium on pseudoscalar and vector $B$ mesons

In this study, using the light-front quark model, we examine how an isospin asymmetric nuclear medium affects the properties of pseudoscalar ($B^+, B^0$) and vector ($B^{\ast+}, B^{\ast0}$) mesons under different temperature values and degrees of isospin asymmetry. To simulate the in-medium modifications of the constituent quark masses, we employ the chiral SU(3) quark mean field model. Our analysis focuses on evaluating the effective masses, weak decay constants, and distribution amplitudes (DAs) of $B$ mesons in isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter. The calculated vacuum values of the $B$ meson masses and decay constants show good agreement with existing experimental data, validating our approach to study the medium effects within the same framework.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2025

Radiative Transitions for the Ground and Excited Charmonia States

In this work, we have investigated the physical properties like decay constants, radiative transitions, decay widths, and branching ratios for the ground and radially excited charmonia states. For the numerical calculations, we have adopted the light-front quark model (LFQM). We have studied $χ_{c0}\rightarrow J{/}ψ+γ$ and $ψ(2S)\rightarrowχ_{c0}+γ$, $h_c(1P)\rightarrowη_c(1S)+γ$, and $η_c(2S)\rightarrow h_c(1P)+γ$ transitions in this work. We have also demonstrated the behavior of the transition form factors (TFFs) for the $h_c(1P)\rightarrowη_c(1S)+γ$ and $ψ(2S)\rightarrowχ_{c0}+γ$ decays in this model. Using the TFFs results, we have calculated the decay widths and branching ratios for these transitions. Our numerical results of decay constants, decay widths, and branching ratios are overall in good agreement with available experimental, theoretical and lattice simulation data.

hep-ph↗