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Wim Cosyn

Publications and source records attributed to Wim Cosyn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantum stress and torsion distributions in the deuteron

Stress distributions in the deuteron are related to form factors of the asymmetric energy-momentum tensor through three-dimensional Fourier transforms. There are eleven such form factors, which we calculate in an impulse approximation. We compare the obtained form factors to prior results for the six form factors that have been previously calculated. We then elaborate on the formalism for relating the form factors to internal distributions of mass, mass flux, momentum, stresses, and forces, and obtain results for all of these distributions. We obtain the principal stresses for the symmetric part of the stress tensor, and show that the antisymmetric part describes reorientation of fermion spin by torsion stress when the nucleon moves between the S- and D-waves. Force distributions in the nucleons depend on the so-called non-conserved form factors through the Cauchy momentum equation, and are non-radial owing to the presence of tensor forces and spin-orbit coupling.

nucl-th

Long Range Outlook for Short-Range Correlations

Short range correlated (SRC) N N pairs are pairs of nucleons with high relative momentum (prel > kF where kF ~ 250 MeV/c is the Fermi momentum in medium to heavy nuclei) and lower center of mass momentum. The motivation for studying SRC pairs ranges from a desire to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the many-body nuclear wave-function at high-resolution to searching for explicit QCD-dynamics effects within the nuclear medium, not to mention connections to many other open problems in nuclear physics. Exploring short-range correlations was one of the physics motivations for building CEBAF (now Jefferson Lab). Scientists used the high luminosity and high energy of this cutting-edge machine to find kinematics that cleanly showed the signals of short-range correlations. This paved the way in the last two decades for tremendous progress understanding these correlations. This paper reviews recent progress and highlights outstanding questions and areas that need further study.

nucl-ex

Spinor Representations for Fields with any Spin: Lorentz Tensor Basis for Operators and Covariant Multipole Decomposition

This paper discusses a framework to parametrize and decompose operator matrix elements for particles with higher spin $(j > 1/2)$ using chiral representations of the Lorentz group, i.e. the $(j,0)$ and $(0,j)$ representations and their parity-invariant direct sum. Unlike traditional approaches that require imposing constraints to eliminate spurious degrees of freedom, these chiral representations contain exactly the $2j+1$ components needed to describe a spin-$j$ particle. The central objects in the construction are the $t$-tensors, which are generalizations of the Pauli four-vector $\sigma^\mu$ for higher spin. For the generalized spinors of these representations, we demonstrate how the algebra of the $t$-tensors allows to formulate a generalization of the Dirac matrix basis for any spin. For on-shell bilinears, we show that a set consisting exclusively of covariant multipoles of order $0\leq m \leq 2j$ forms a complete basis. We provide explicit expressions for all bilinears of the generalized Dirac matrix basis, which are valid for any spin value. As a byproduct of our derivations we present an efficient algorithm to compute the $t$-tensor matrix elements. The formalism presented here paves the way to use a more unified approach to analyze the non-perturbative QCD structure of hadrons and nuclei across different spin values, with clear physical interpretation of the resulting distributions as covariant multipoles.

hep-ph

Polarization options in inclusive DIS off tensor polarized deuteron

In the near future, the Jefferson Lab $b_1$ experiment will provide the second measurement of tensor polarized asymmetries in inclusive DIS on the deuteron. In this asymmetry, 4 independent tensor polarized structure functions contribute. This necessitates systematic approximations in the extraction of the leading twist structure function $b_1$ from a single tensor asymmetry measurement. Contamination from higher twist structure functions and kinematic effects is discussed here. Using a deuteron convolution model, we quantify the systematic errors from these approximations for two different choices for the target polarization direction (momentum transfer, electron beam direction). For Jefferson Lab 12 GeV kinematics, the systematic error turns out to be comparable between the two polarization options, while at higher $Q^2$ values the momentum transfer direction is preferred.

hep-ph

The case for an EIC Theory Alliance: Theoretical Challenges of the EIC

We outline the physics opportunities provided by the Electron Ion Collider (EIC). These include the study of the parton structure of the nucleon and nuclei, the onset of gluon saturation, the production of jets and heavy flavor, hadron spectroscopy and tests of fundamental symmetries. We review the present status and future challenges in EIC theory that have to be addressed in order to realize this ambitious and impactful physics program, including how to engage a diverse and inclusive workforce. In order to address these many-fold challenges, we propose a coordinated effort involving theory groups with differing expertise is needed. We discuss the scientific goals and scope of such an EIC Theory Alliance.

hep-ph

Searching for an Enhanced Signal of the onset of Color Transparency in Baryons with D(e,e'p)n scattering

Observation of the onset of color transparency in baryons would provide a new means of studying the nuclear strong force and would be the first clear evidence of baryons transforming into a color-neutral point-like size in the nucleus as predicted by quantum chromodynamics. Recent C$(e,e'p)$ results from electron-scattering did not observe the onset of color transparency (CT) in protons up to spacelike four-momentum transfers squared, $Q^2=14.2$ GeV$^2$. The traditional methods of searching for CT in $(e,e'p)$ scattering use heavy targets favoring kinematics with already initially reduced final state interactions (FSIs) such that any CT effect that further reduces FSIs will be small. The reasoning behind this choice is the difficulty in accounting for all FSIs. D$(e,e'p)n$, on the other hand, has well-understood FSI contributions from double scattering with a known dependence on the kinematics and can show an increased sensitivity to hadrons in point-like configurations. Double scattering is the square of the re-scattering amplitude in which the knocked-out nucleon interacts with the spectator nucleon, a process that is suppressed in the presence of point-like configurations and is particularly well-studied for the deuteron. This suppression yields a quadratic sensitivity to CT effects and is strongly dependent on the choice of kinematics. Here, we describe a possible JLab electron-scattering experiment that utilizes these kinematics and explores the potential signal for the onset of CT with enhanced sensitivity as compared to recent experiments.

nucl-ex

Spatial densities of momentum and forces in spin-one hadrons

Densities associated with the energy-momentum tensor are calculated for spin-one targets. These calculations are done in a light front formalism, which accounts for relativistic effects due to boosts and allows for arbitrary spatial localization of the target. These densities include the distribution of momentum, angular momentum, and pressures over a two-dimensional plane transverse to the light front. Results are obtained for both longitudinally and transversely polarized targets, and the formalism is tailored to allow the possibility of massless targets. The momentum density and pressure distributions are calculated for a deuteron target in a light cone convolution model, with which the properties of this model (such as helicity dependence of the densities) is illustrated.

hep-ph

Spatial densities of the photon on the light front

The light front densities of momentum, angular momentum, and intrinsic pressure are calculated for the photon, both in the free case and at leading order in quantum electrodynamics. In the latter case, we moreover decompose the form factors into photon and electron contributions. Circularly and linearly polarized photons are both considered, with the latter containing significant azimuthal modulations in both the momentum density and in intrinsic stresses. We find that the D-term of the photon is positive instead of negative, and accordingly the intrinsic radial pressure of the photon is negative. Despite this, the radiation pressure exerted by the photon is positive. We illustrate through explicit calculation how the intrinsic pressure associated with the D-term and the radiation pressure exerted by the photon are different quantities.

hep-ph

Nuclear $\text{C}(e,e'p)$ Transparencies in a Relativistic Glauber Model

In light of the recent Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) data for the nuclear $^{12}\text{C}(e,e'p)$ transparencies, calculations, obtained in a relativistic multiple scattering Glauber approximation, are discussed. The shell-separated $^{12}$C transparencies are shown and it is concluded that the $p$-shell nucleons are 75\% more transparent than the $s$-shell ones. The presented comparisons between the calculations made here and the current $^{12}\text{C}(e,e'p)$ data show no clear indication for the onset of color transparency when implemented within the color diffusion model with standard parameters.

nucl-th

Isospin composition of the high-momentum fluctuations in nuclei from asymptotic momentum distributions

The variations of short-range correlations (SRC) across nuclei can be quantified in an approximately model-independent fashion in terms of the so-called SRC scaling factors. We provide predictions for the SRC scaling factors for both bound protons and bound neutrons across the nuclear periodic table and determine the contribution of the different nucleon pair combinations to this quantity. Thereby we employ the low-order correlation operator approximation (LCA) to compute the SRC contribution to the single-nucleon momentum distribution. We do this for a sample of fifteen nuclei from He to Pb thereby gaining access to the evolution of the SRC scaling factor with the nuclear mass and the neutron-to-proton ratio. For the studied sample of fifteen nuclei, the total SRC scaling factor is in the range 4.05-5.14. The computed SRC scaling factors in the LCA are in line with those of ab-initio calculations and with measured quantities from SRC-sensitive inclusive electron-scattering data. In asymmetric nuclei there are sizeable differences between the SRC scaling factors for protons and neutrons. It is suggested that this phenomenon may impact the variations of the magnitude of the European muon collaboration (EMC) effect across nuclei. Our results corroborate the finding that SRC physics can be qualitatively understood by universal principles that build on local modifications of mean-field wave functions of nucleon pairs.

nucl-th

The energy-momentum tensor of spin-1 hadrons: formalism

We provide the complete decomposition of the local gauge-invariant energy-momentum tensor for spin-1 hadrons, including non-conserved terms for the individual parton flavors and antisymmetric contributions originating from intrinsic spin. We state sum rules for the gravitational form factors appearing in this decomposition and provide relations for the mass decomposition, work balance, total and orbital angular momentum, mass radius, and inertia tensor. Generalizing earlier work, we derive relations between the total and orbital angular momentum and the Mellin moments of twist-2 and 3 generalized parton distributions, accessible in hard exclusive processes with spin-1 targets. Throughout the work, we comment on the unique features in these relations originating from the spin-1 nature of the hadron, being absent in the lower spin cases.

hep-ph

The isospin and neutron-to-proton excess dependence of short-range correlations

We provide a systematic study of the isospin composition and neutron-to-proton $\left( \frac{N}{Z} \right)$ ratio dependence of nuclear short-range correlations (SRC) across the nuclear mass table. We use the low-order correlation operator approximation (LCA) to compute the SRC contribution to the single-nucleon momentum distributions for 14 different nuclei from $A=4$ to $A=208$. Ten asymmetric nuclei are included for which the neutrons outnumber the protons by a factor of up to 1.54. The computed momentum distributions are used to extract the pair composition of the SRC. We find that there is a comprehensive picture for the isospin composition of SRC and their evolution with nucleon momentum. We also compute the non-relativistic kinetic energy of neutrons and protons and its evolution with nuclear mass $A$ and $\frac{N}{Z}$. Confirming the conclusions from alternate studies it is shown that the minority species (protons) become increasingly more short-range correlated as the neutron-to-proton ratio increases. We forge connections between measured nucleon-knockout quantities sensitive to SRC and single-nucleon momentum distributions. It is shown that the LCA can account for the observed trends in the data, like the fact that in neutron-rich nuclei the protons are responsible for an unexpectedly large fraction of the high-momentum components.

nucl-th

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$(e,e^{\prime}\gamma\,p\,^3$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

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 $\phi$. 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 $\phi$ production in a similar range of $x$. Additionally, threshold effects of $\phi$ production can be explored by exploiting the ALERT detector's large acceptance for low $|t|$ events.

nucl-ex

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

Probing short-range correlations in asymmetric nuclei with quasi-free pair knockout reactions

Short-range correlations (SRC) in asymmetric nuclei with an unusual neutron-to-proton ratio can be studied with quasi-free two-nucleon knockout processes following the collision between accelerated ions and a proton target. We derive an approximate factorized cross section for those SRC-driven $p(A,p^{\prime} N_1 N_2)$ reactions. Our reaction model hinges on the factorization properties of SRC-driven $A(e, e^\prime N_1 N_2)$ reactions for which strong indications are found in theory-experiment comparisons. In order to put our model to the test we compare its predictions with results of $^{12}\text{C}(p,p^{\prime} pn)$ measurements conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and find a fair agreement. The model can also reproduce characteristic features of SRC-driven two-nucleon knockout reactions, like back-to-back emission of the correlated nucleons. We study the asymmetry dependence of nuclear SRC by providing predictions for the ratio of proton-proton to proton-neutron knockout cross sections for the carbon isotopes $^{9-15}$C thereby covering neutron excess values $(N-Z)/Z$ between -0.5 and +0.5.

nucl-th

Final-state interactions in two-nucleon knockout reactions

Background: Exclusive two-nucleon knockout after electroexcitation of nuclei ($A(e,e'NN)$ in brief) is considered to be a primary source of information about short-range correlations (SRC) in nuclei. For a proper interpretation of the data, final-state interactions (FSI) need to be theoretically controlled. Purpose: Our goal is to quantify the role of FSI effects in exclusive $A(e,e'pN)$ reactions for four target nuclei representative for the whole mass region. Our focus is on processes that are SRC driven. We investigate the role of FSI for two characteristic detector setups corresponding with a "small" and "large" coverage of the available phase space. Results: The transparency $T^{pN}_{A}$, defined as the ratio of exclusive $(e,e'pN)$ cross sections on nuclei to those on "free" nucleon pairs, drops from $ 0.2-0.3 $ for $^{12}$C to $0.04-0.07$ for $^{208}$Pb. For all considered kinematics, the mass dependence of the $T^{pN}_{A}$ can be captured by the power law $T^{pN}_{A} \propto A^{- \lambda}$ with $ 0.4 \lesssim \lambda \lesssim 0.5 $. Apart from an overall reduction factor, we find that FSI only modestly affects the distinct features of SRC-driven $A(e,e'pN)$ which are dictated by the c.m. distribution of close-proximity pairs. Conclusion: The SCX mechanisms represent a relatively small (order of a few percent) contribution of SRC-driven $A(e,e'pN)$ processes. The mass dependence of FSI effects in exclusive $A(e,e'pN)$ can be captured in a robust power law and is in agreement with the predictions obtained in a toy model.

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QCD Evolution of Superfast Quarks

Recent high-precision measurements of nuclear deep inelastic scattering at high x and moderate 6 < Q$^2$ < 9GeV$^2$ give a rare opportunity to reach the quark distributions in the {\it superfast} region, in which the momentum fraction of the nucleon carried by its constituent quark is larger than the total fraction of the nucleon at rest, x>1. We derive the leading-order QCD evolution equation for such quarks with the goal of relating the moderate-Q$^2$ data to the two earlier measurements of superfast quark distributions at large 60 < Q$^2$ < 200~GeV$^2$. Since the high-Q$^2$ measurements gave strongly contradictory estimates of the nuclear effects that generate superfast quarks, relating them to the high-precision, moderate-Q$^2$ data through QCD evolution allows us to clarify this longstanding issue. Our calculations indicate that the moderate-Q$^2$ data at $x\lesssim 1.05$ are in better agreement with the high-Q$^2$ data measured in (anti)neutrino-nuclear reactions which require substantial high-momentum nuclear effects in the generation of superfast quarks. Our prediction for the high-Q$^2$ and x>1.1 region is somewhat in the middle of the neutrino-nuclear and muon-nuclear scattering data.

hep-ph