arXiv subjects

Sergio Scopetta

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Scopetta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Pion nucleus Drell-Yan process and parton transverse momentum in the pion

We present a thorough analysis of unpolarized Drell-Yan (DY) pair production in pion-nucleus scattering. On the nucleus side, we use nuclear parton distributions along with parametrisations of the nucleon partonic transverse distribution available in the literature. Partonic longitudinal and transverse distributions of the pion are those obtained in a recent calculation in a Nambu-Jona Lasinio (NJL) framework, with Pauli-Villars regularization. The scale of the NJL model is fixed by a comparison between NLO predictions based on NJL evolved pion distributions and rapidity differential DY cross sections data. The resulting distributions are then used to describe, up to next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, the transverse momentum spectrum of dilepton pairs up to a transverse momentum of 2 GeV. With no additional parameters, fair agreement is found with available pion-nucleus data, confirming the virtues of the NJL description of pion parton structure. We find sizable evolution effects on the shape of the distributions and on the generated average transverse momentum of the dilepton pair. We discuss the possibility of extracting details on pion unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distribution from pion nucleus DY data. In this respect, the region of low invariant mass of the lepton pair appears to be favored to discriminate between different descriptions of the non-perturbative pion transverse structure.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering off $^4$He

Coherent Deeply virtual Compton scattering off the $^4$He nucleus is studied in impulse approximation. A convolution formula for the nuclear Generalized Parton Distribution (GPD) is derived in terms of the $^4$He non-diagonal spectral function and of the GPD of the struck nucleon. A model of the nuclear non diagonal spectral function, based on the momentum distribution corresponding to the AV18 nucleon-nucleon interaction, is used in the actual calculation. Typical impulse approximation results are reproduced, in proper limits, for the nuclear form factor and for nuclear parton distributions. The nuclear generalized parton distribution and the Compton form factor are evaluated using, as nucleonic ingredient, a well known generalized parton distribution model. An overall very good agreement is found with the data recently published by the EG6 experiment at the Jefferson Laboratory (JLab). More refined nuclear calculations are addressed and will be necessary for the expected improved accuracy of the next generation of experiments at JLab, with the 12 GeV electron beam and high luminosity.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

Parton correlations in double parton scattering

Double parton scattering events are directly sensitive to the correlations between two partons inside a proton and can answer fundamental questions on the connections between the proton constituents. In this chapter, the different types of possible correlations, our present knowledge of them, and the processes where they are likely to be important, are introduced and explained. The increasing integrated luminosity at the LHC and the refinements of the theory of double parton scattering, lead to interesting prospects for measuring, or severely constraining, two-parton correlations in the near future.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Partonic Structure of Light Nuclei

We propose to study the partonic structure of $^4$He by measuring the Beam Spin Asymmetry (BSA) in coherent Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) and the differential cross-section of the Deeply Virtual Meson Production (DVMP) of the $ϕ$. Despite its simple structure, a light nucleus such as $^4$He has a density and a binding energy comparable to that of heavier nuclei. Therefore, by studying $^4$He nucleus, one can learn typical features of the partonic structure of atomic nuclei. The combination of CLAS12 and the ALERT detector provides a unique opportunity to study both the quark and gluon structure of a dense light nucleus. Coherent exclusive DVCS off $^4$He will probe the transverse spatial distribution of quarks in the nucleus as a function of the quarks' longitudinal momentum fraction, $x$. In parallel, the average spatial transverse gluon density of the $^4$He nucleus will be extracted within a GPD framework using the measured longitudinal cross-section for coherent $ϕ$ production in a similar range of $x$. Additionally, threshold effects of $ϕ$ production can be explored by exploiting the ALERT detector's large acceptance for low $|t|$ events.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Spectator-Tagged Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering on Light Nuclei

The three-dimensional picture of quarks and gluons in the proton is set to be revealed through Deeply virtual Compton scattering while a critically important puzzle in the one-dimensional picture remains, namely, the origins of the EMC effect. Incoherent nuclear DVCS, i.e. DVCS on a nucleon inside a nucleus, can reveal the 3D partonic structure of the bound nucleon and shed a new light on the EMC effect. However, the Fermi motion of the struck nucleon, off-shell effects and final-state interactions (FSIs) complicate this parton level interpretation. We propose here a measurement of incoherent DVCS with a tagging of the recoiling spectator system (nucleus A-1) to systematically control nuclear effects. Through spectator-tagged DVCS, a fully detected final state presents a unique opportunity to systematically study these nuclear effects and cleanly observe possible modification of the nucleon's quark distributions. We propose to measure the DVCS beam-spin asymmetries (BSAs) on $^4$He and deuterium targets. The reaction $^4$He$(e,e^{\prime}γ\,p\,^3$H$)$ with a fully detected final state has the rare ability to simultaneously quantify FSIs, measure initial nucleon momentum, and provide a sensitive probe to other nuclear effects at the parton level. The DVCS BSA on a (quasi-free) neutron will be measured by tagging a spectator proton with a deuteron target. Similarly, a bound neutron measurement detects a spectator $^3$He off a $^4$He target. These two observables will allow for a self-contained measurement of the neutron off-forward EMC Effect.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Tagged EMC Measurements on Light Nuclei

We propose to measure tagged deep inelastic scattering from light nuclei (deuterium and $^4$He) by detecting the low energy nuclear spectator recoil (p, $^3$H and $^3$He) in addition to the scattered electron. The proposed experiment will provide stringent tests leading to clear differentiation between the many models describing the EMC effect, by accessing the bound nucleon virtuality through its initial momentum at the point of interaction. Indeed, conventional nuclear physics explanations of the EMC effect mainly based on Fermi motion and binding effects yield very different predictions than more exotic scenarios, where bound nucleons basically loose their identity when embedded in the nuclear medium. By distinguishing events where the interacting nucleon was slow, as described by a mean field scenario, or fast, very likely belonging to a correlated pair, will clearly indicate which phenomenon is relevant to explain the EMC effect. An important challenge for such measurements using nuclear spectators is the control of the theoretical framework and, in particular, final state interactions. This experiment will directly provide the necessary data needed to test our understanding of spectator tagging and final state interactions in $^2$H and $^4$He and their impact on the semi-inclusive measurements of the EMC effect described above.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Neutron Parton Structure And The Light-Front Spectral Function Of 3He

Semi-inclusive deep inelastic electron scattering off polarized 3He is studied in a non-relativistic framework, using a distorted spin-dependent spectral function for 3He to take care of the final state interaction between the observed pion and the remnant. A simple procedure is shown to be valuable for the extraction of Sivers and Collins asymmetries for the neutron fromthe corresponding asymmetries for 3He. To extend this study in a relativistic framework, a novel approach for a Poincaré covariant description of nuclear dynamics is presented, based on the light-front Hamiltonian dynamics. The key quantity is the light-front spectral function, where both normalization and momentum sum rule can be satisfied at the same time. Preliminary results are discussed for an initial analysis of the role of relativity in the EMC effect in 3He, and the generalization of the procedure for the extraction of neutron asymmetries within the light-front dynamics is outlined.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Light-Front Dynamics and the 3He Spectral Function

Two topics are presented. The first one is a novel approach for a Poincare' covariant description of nuclear dynamics based on light-front Hamiltonian dynamics. The key quantity is the light-front spectral function, where both normalization and momentum sum rule can be satisfied at the same time. Preliminary results are discussed for an initial analysis of the role of relativity in the EMC effect in 3He. A second issue, very challenging, is considered in a non-relativistic framework, namely a distorted spin-dependent spectral function for 3He in order to take care of the final state interaction between the observed pion and the remnant in semi-inclusive deep inelastic electron scattering off polarized 3He. The generalization of the analysis within the light-front dynamics is outlined.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Three--Dimensional parton structure of light nuclei

Two promising directions beyond inclusive deep inelastic scattering experiments, aimed at unveiling the three dimensional structure of the bound nucleon, are reviewed, considering in particular the $^3$He nucleus. The 3D structure in coordinate space can be accessed through deep exclusive processes, whose non-perturbative part is encoded in generalized parton distributions (GPDs). In this way, the distribution of partons in the transverse plane can be obtained. As an example, coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) off $^3$He nuclei, important to access the neutron GPDs, will be discussed. In Impulse Approximation (IA), the sum of two GPDs of $^3$He, $H$ and $E$, at low momentum transfer, turns out to be dominated by the neutron contribution. Besides, a technique, able to take into account the nuclear effects included in the Impulse Approximation analysis, has been developed. The spin dependent GPD $\tilde H$ of $^3$He is also found to be largely dominated, at low momentum transfer, by the neutron contribution. Semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes access the momentum space 3D structure parameterized through transverse momentum dependent parton distributions. A distorted spin-dependent spectral function has been recently introduced for $^3$He, in a non-relativistic framework, to take care of the final state interaction between the observed pion and the remnant in semi-inclusive deep inelastic electron scattering off transversely polarized $^3$He. The calculation of the Sivers and Collins single spin asymmetries for $^3$He, and a straightforward procedure to effectively take into account nuclear dynamics and final state interactions, will be reviewed. The Light-front dynamics generalization of the analysis is also addressed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Parton correlations effects in double parton distribution functions

Double parton distribution functions (dPDFs), measurable in hadron-hadron collisions and encoding information on how partons inside a proton are correlated among each other, could represent a new tool to explore the three dimensional partonic structure of hadrons. In the present contribution, results of the calculations of dPFDs are presented. Phenomenological calculations of experimental observables, sensitive to dPDFs are also discussed showing how double parton correlations could be estimated in the next LHC run.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

The effective cross section for double parton scattering within a holographic AdS/QCD approach

A first attempt to apply the AdS/QCD framework for a bottom-up approach to the evaluation of the effective cross section for double parton scattering in proton-proton collisions is presented. The main goal is the analytic evaluation of the dependence of the effective cross section on the longitudinal momenta of the involved partons, obtained within the holographic Soft-Wall model. If measured in high-energy processes at hadron colliders, this momentum dependence could open a new window on 2-parton correlations in a proton.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Parton correlations in same-sign $W$ pair production via double parton scattering at the LHC

Same-sign $W$ boson pairs production is a promising channel to look for signatures of double parton interactions at the LHC. The corresponding cross section has been calculated by using double parton distribution functions, encoding two parton correlations, evaluated in a Light-Front quark model. The obtained result is in line with previous estimates which make use of an external parameter, the so called effective cross section, not necessary in our approach. The possibility to observe for the first time two-parton correlations, in the next LHC runs, has been established.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Polarized $^3$He target and final state interactions in SiDIS

Jefferson Lab (JLab) is starting a wide experimental program aimed at studying the neutron's structure, with a great emphasis on the extraction of the parton transverse-momentum distributions (TMDs). To this end, Semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SiDIS) experiments on polarized $^3$He will be carried out, providing, together with proton and deuteron data, a sound flavor decomposition of the TMDs. Given the expected high statistical accuracy, it is crucial to disentangle nuclear and partonic degrees of freedom to get an accurate theoretical description of both initial and final states. In this contribution, a preliminary study of the Final State Interaction (FSI) in the standard SiDIS, where a pion (or a Kaon) is detected in the final state is presented, in view of constructing a realistic description of the nuclear initial and final states.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

Light-Front spin-dependent Spectral Function and Nucleon Momentum Distributions for a Three-Body System

Poincare' covariant definitions for the spin-dependent spectral function and for the momentum distributions within the light-front Hamiltonian dynamics are proposed for a three-fermion bound system, starting from the light-front wave function of the system. The adopted approach is based on the Bakamjian-Thomas construction of the Poincare' generators, that allows one to easily import the familiar and wide knowledge on the nuclear interaction into a light-front framework. The proposed formalism can find useful applications in refined nuclear calculations, like the ones needed for evaluating the EMC effect or the semi-inclusive deep inelastic cross sections with polarized nuclear targets, since remarkably the light-front unpolarized momentum distribution by definition fulfills both normalization and momentum sum rules. It is also shown a straightforward generalization of the definition of the light-front spectral function to an A-nucleon system.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

Correlations in Double Parton Distributions: Perturbative and Non-Perturbative effects

The correct description of Double Parton Scattering (DPS), which represents a background in several channels for the search of new Physics at the LHC, requires the knowledge of double parton distribution functions (dPDFs). These quantities represent also a novel tool for the study of the three-dimensional nucleon structure, complementary to the possibilities offered by electromagnetic probes. In this paper we analyze dPDFs using Poincaré covariant predictions obtained by using a Light-Front constituent quark model proposed in a recent paper, and QCD evolution. We study to what extent factorized expressions for dPDFs, which neglect, at least in part, two-parton correlations, can be used. We show that they fail in reproducing the calculated dPDFs, in particular in the valence region. Actually measurable processes at existing facilities occur at low longitudinal momenta of the interacting partons; to have contact with these processes we have analyzed correlations between pairs of partons of different kind, finding that, in some cases, they are strongly suppressed at low longitudinal momenta, while for other distributions they can be sizeable. For example, the effect of gluon-gluon correlations can be as large as 20 $\%$. We have shown that these behaviors can be understood in terms of a delicate interference of non-perturbative correlations, generated by the dynamics of the model, and perturbative ones, generated by the model independent evolution procedure. Our analysis shows that at LHC kinematics two-parton correlations can be relevant in DPS, and therefore we address the possibility to study them experimentally.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

The 3He spectral function in light-front dynamics

A distorted spin-dependent spectral function for 3He is considered for the extraction of the transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions in the neutron from semi-inclusive deep inelastic electron scattering off polarized 3He at finite momentum transfers, where final state interactions are taken into account. The generalization of the analysis to a Poincaré covariant framework within the light-front dynamics is outlined.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

Double parton scattering and 3D proton structure: A Light-Front analysis

Double parton scattering, occurring in high energy hadron-hadron collisions, e.g. at the LHC, is usually investigated through model dependent analyses of the so called effective cross section $σ_{eff}$. We present a dynamic approach to this fundamental quantity making use of a Light-Front model treatment. Within such a framework $σ_{eff}$ is initially evaluated at low energy scale using the model and then, through QCD evolution, at high energy scale to reach the experimental conditions. Our numerical outcomes are consistent with the present experimental analyses of data in kinematical region we investigate. An important result of the present work is the $x_i$ dependence of $σ_{eff}$, a feature directly connected to double parton correlations and which could unveil new information on the three dimensional structure of the proton.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Pion transverse momentum dependent parton distributions in the Nambu and Jona-Lasinio model

An explicit evaluation of the two pion transverse momentum dependent parton distributions at leading twist is presented, in the framework of the Nambu-Jona Lasinio model with Pauli-Villars regularization. The transverse momentum dependence of the obtained distributions is generated solely by the dynamics of the model. Using these results, the so called generalized Boer-Mulders shift is studied and compared with recent lattice data. The obtained agreement is very encouraging, in particular because no additional parameter has been introduced. A more conclusive comparison would require a precise knowledge of the QCD evolution of the transverse momentum dependent parton distributions under scrutiny.

hep-ph↗