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Zanbin Xing

Publications and source records attributed to Zanbin Xing.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiative charmonium decays in a contact-interaction model with dynamical quark anomalous magnetic moment

The BESIII Collaboration has recently reported two measurements of the two-photon decay width of the $\eta_c$ meson. The 2024 result is significantly larger than most theoretical and empirical expectations, while a subsequent measurement published in early 2026 shows better agreement with the world average and conventional theoretical estimates. In this work, we study the $\eta_c\to\gamma\gamma$ and $J/\psi\to\gamma\eta_c$ processes within a contact interaction model that incorporates valence-quark anomalous magnetic moment effects, which are absent in standard treatments. Besides achieving agreement with modern lattice QCD estimates for these observables, we find that the 2024 central value for $\eta_c\to\gamma\gamma$ lies above the range that could be accommodated by the present framework, whereas the 2026 result is naturally consistent with it.

hep-ph

A Direct Algebraic Pathway to Hadronic Observables in the Contact Model

We present a novel algebraic framework for computing hadron properties directly within the contact interaction model. Utilizing Fierz transformations, the method recasts the Bethe-Salpeter dynamics into equations for a minimal set of \emph{projected amplitudes} for bound-state static properties and form factors, bypassing the conventional need for the meson wave function. This approach is fully demonstrated for the vector meson, enabling the direct extraction of its decay constants and form factors. The formalism provides a more efficient and unified pathway to hadron observables, with clear potential for extension to baryons and more sophisticated interactions.

hep-ph

The Dichotomous Nature of the $\sigma$ Meson and the Nucleon D-Term

Employing a symmetry-preserving contact-interaction formulation of the Dyson-Schwinger equations in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), we examine the identity of the $\sigma$ meson and its implications for the gravitational structure of hadrons. In this framework, the scalar meson emerges as the chiral partner of the pion, with both states' properties tightly connected to the mechanisms of mass generation in QCD. We find that, above a critical coupling that triggers dynamical chiral symmetry breaking, the D-terms of the constituent quark, the pion, and $\sigma$ saturate at fixed values $D_{q,\pi,\sigma}=-1/3,-1,-7/3$. By examining the coupling strength evolution of the D-terms, this pattern follows naturally once a dual nature for the $\sigma$ meson is recognized: it behaves both as a quark-antiquark composite and as a dilaton arising from spontaneous scale symmetry breaking. This unified picture yields the prediction $D_N\sim -3$ for the nucleon D-term, consistent with contemporary lattice-QCD, continuum, and dispersive studies.

hep-ph

Electromagnetic structure of axial-vector mesons and implications for the muon $g-2$

The electromagnetic structure of axial-vector mesons is investigated via elastic and two-photon transition form factors (TFFs). To this end, we employ a framework based on the Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations within a contact interaction model. This largely algebraic approach transparently exposes the role of symmetries and their breaking, and has proven successful in describing anomaly-sensitive processes, including pseudoscalar to two-photon TFFs, $\gamma \to 3 \pi$, and vector-to-pseudoscalar radiative decays. Restricting our analysis to the lowest-lying states, $\text{A}=\{ a_1, f_1,f_1'\}$, we also evaluate the corresponding light-by-light contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment, and obtain $a_\mu^{\text{A}}=11.30(4.71)\times10^{-11}$, consistent with contemporary estimates.

hep-ph

Sketching pion and proton mass distributions

A light-front holographic model is used to illustrate an algebraic scheme for constructing a representation of a hadron's zero-skewness generalised parton distribution (GPD) from its valence-quark distribution function (DF) and electromagnetic form factor, $F_H$, without reference to deeply virtual Compton scattering data. The hadron's mass distribution gravitational form factor, $A_H$, calculated from this GPD is harder than $F_H$; and, for each hadron, the associated mass-density profile is more compact than the analogous charge profile, with each pion near-core density being larger than that of its proton partner. These features are independent of the scheme employed.

hep-ph

Gravitational form factors of pseudoscalar mesons in a contact interaction

Given the unique role played by the gravitational form factors (GFFs) in unraveling the internal mechanics of hadrons, we examine the GFFs of ground state pseudoscalar mesons $\pi$, $\eta_c$, $\eta_b$ and the hypothetical {\em strangeonium} $\eta_s(s\bar{s})$. We adopt the coupled framework of Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations within a contact interaction, and employ a novel approach to the dressed amputated meson-meson scattering amplitude which makes connection with the energy-momentum tensor and with the GFFs. The resulting GFFs fulfill the anticipated symmetry constraints. The corresponding charge and mass radii and the $D-$term are also computed. We show that the $D-$term for the pseudoscalar mesons is bounded within the $(-1, -1/3)$ range; these bounds correspond to the massless (chiral limit) and infinitely massive cases, respectively. Considering the current interest in the GFFs, understanding the \textit{D}-term of pseudoscalar mesons and their GFFs can provide an important first step for future endeavors in the field.

hep-ph

Bridging Electromagnetic and Gravitational Form Factors: Insights from LFHQCD

We propose an efficacious approach to derive the generalized parton distributions for the pion and proton, based upon prior knowledge of their respective parton distribution functions (PDFs). Our method leverages on integral representations of the electromagnetic form factors derived from the light-front holographic QCD (LFHQCD) formalism, coupled with PDFs computed from continuum Schwinger functional methods at the hadronic scale. Using these techniques, we calculate gravitational form factors and associated mass distributions for each hadron. Remarkably, our calculations yield results that closely match recent lattice QCD simulations conducted near the physical pion mass. This work not only deepens our understanding of hadronic structure but also highlights the efficacy of the LFHQCD approach in modeling fundamental properties of hadrons.

hep-ph

QCD anomalies in electromagnetic processes: A solution to the $γ\to3π$ puzzle

In this work, the $γ\to3π$ form factor is calculated within the Dyson-Schwinger equations framework using a contact interaction model within the so-called modified rainbow ladder truncation. The present calculation takes into account the pseudovector component in the pion Bethe-Salpeter amplitude (BSA) and $π-π$ scattering effects, producing a $γ\to3π$ anomaly which is $1+6\mathcal{R}_π^2$ larger than the low energy prediction. Here $\mathcal{R_π}$ is the relative ratio of the pseudovector and pseudoscalar components in the pion BSA; with our parameters input, this correction raises the $γ\to3π$ anomaly by around $10\%$. The main outcome of this work is the unveiling of the origin of such correction, which could be a possible explanation of the discrepancy between the existing experimental data and the low energy prediction. Moreover, it is highlighted how the magnitude of the anomaly is affected in effective theories that require an irremovable ultraviolet cutoff. We find that for both the anomalous processes $π\to2γ$ and $γ\to 3π$, the missing contribution to the anomaly can be compensated by the additional structures related with the quark anomalous magnetic moment.

hep-ph

The chiral anomaly and the pion transition form factor: beyond the cutoff

In the presence of a momentum cutoff, effective theories seem unable to faithfully reproduce the so called chiral anomaly in the Standard Model. A novel prospect to overcome this related issue is discussed herein via the calculation of the $γ^{*}π^0γ$ transition form factor, $G^{γ^* π^0 γ}(Q^2)$, whose normalization is intimately connected with the chiral anomaly and dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (DCSB). To compute such transition, we employ contact interaction model of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) under a modified rainbow ladder truncation, which automatically generates a quark anomalous magnetic moment term, weighted by a strenght parameter $ξ$. This term, whose origin is also connected with DCSB, is interpreted as an additional interaction that mimics the complex dynamics beyond the cutoff. By fixing $ξ$ to produce the value of $G^{γ^* π^0 γ}(0)$ dictated by the chiral anomaly, the computed transition form factor, as well as the interaction radius and neutral pion decay width, turn out to be comparable with QCD-based studies and experimental data.

hep-ph

A fresh look at the generalized parton distributions of light pseudoscalar mesons

We present a symmetry-preserving scheme to derive the pion and kaon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in Euclidean space. The key to maintaining crucial symmetries under this approach is the treatment of the scattering amplitude, such that it contains both the traditional leading-order contributions and the scalar/vector pole contribution automatically, the latter being necessary to ensure the soft-pion theorem. The GPD is extracted analytically via the uniqueness and definition of the Mellin moments and we find that it naturally matches the double distribution; consequently, the polynomiality condition and sum rules are satisfied. The present scheme thus paves the way for the extraction of the GPD in Euclidean space using the Dyson-Schwinger equation framework or similar continuum approaches.

hep-ph

A glimpse into pion gravitational form factor

We provide a novel approach to calculate the gravitational form factor of pion under the ladder approximation of the Bethe-Salpeter equation, with contact interactions. Central to this approach is a symmetry-preserving treatment of the dressed $ππ$ amplitude, which shows explicitly the contributions from intrinsic quarks and bound states, the latter being necessary to produce the $D$-term of pion in the soft-pion limit. The approach we provide in this work can be applied to many processes of physical significance.

hep-ph

A symmetry preserving contact interaction treatment of the kaon

A symmetry-preserving regularization procedure for dealing with the contact interaction model is proposed in this work. This regularization procedure follows a series of consistency conditions which are necessary to maintain gauge symmetry. Under this regularization, proofs for the preservation of the Ward-Takahashi identities are given and the loop integrals in the contact interaction model are systematically computed. As an application example, the kaon electromagnetic form factor and $K_{l3}$ transition form factor are computed and self-consistent results are obtained. Since the proposed regularization properly handles the divergence, one is freed from the inconsistencies caused by the regularization and can concentrate more on the physical discussion.

hep-ph

Pion scalar, vector and tensor form factors from a contact interaction

The pion scalar, vector and tensor form factors are calculated within a symmetry-preserving contact interaction model (CI) of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), encompassed within a Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations approach. In addition to the traditional rainbow-ladder truncation, a modified interaction kernel for the Bethe-Salpeter equation is adopted. The implemented kernel preserves the vector and axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identities, while also providing additional freedom. Consequently, new tensor structures are generated in the corresponding interaction vertices, shifting the location of the mass poles appearing in the quark-photon and quark tensor vertex and yielding a notorious improvement in the final results. Despite the simplicity of the CI, the computed form factors and radii are compatible with recent lattice QCD simulations.

hep-ph

Exposing the effect of $p$-wave in pion triplet under the strong magnetic field

The static properties, masses and decay constants, of pseudoscalar meson triplet in a strongly magnetized medium are studied through the Dyson-Schwinger equation approach treatment of a contact interaction. Complementary to the usual vector-vector form, a symmetry-preserving formulation of couplings has been proposed in this work, without modifying the quark propagator, to control the strength of the $p$-wave component of Bethe-Salpeter amplitude. It is found that, with the help of flexible auxiliary interaction, our simple model is able to reproduce the observation in the lattice QCD simulation, where the spectra of the charged pseudo-scalar meson shows a non-monotonic behavior as the magnetic field grows. The discovery of this work implies the strong magnetic field affects the inner structure of mesons dramatically.

hep-ph

Quark anomalous magnetic moment and its effects on the $ρ$ meson properties

A symmetry-preserving treatment of mesons, within a Dyson-Schwinger and Bethe-Salpeter equations approach, demands an interconnection between the kernels of the quark gap equation and meson Bethe-Salpeter equation. Appealing to those symmetries expressed by the vector and axial-vector Ward-Green-Takahashi identitiges (WGTI), we construct a two-body Bethe-Salpeter kernel and study its implications in the vector channel; particularly, we analyze the structure of the quark-photon vertex, which explicitly develops a vector meson pole in the timelike axis and the quark anomlaous magnetic moment term, as well as a variety of $ρ$ meson properties: mass and decay constants, electromagnetic form factors, and valence-quark distribution amplitudes.

nucl-th