Parton Distribution Functions and Lattice QCD
Recently, there have been rapid developments in lattice-QCD calculations of proton structure, especially in the parton distribution functions (PDFs). We overcame a longstanding obstacle and for the first time in lattice-QCD are able to directly calculate the Bjorken- x dependence of the quark, helicity and transversity distributions. The PDFs are obtained using the large-momentum eﬀective field theory (LaMET) framework where the full Bjorken- x dependence of finite-momentum PDFs, called “quasi-PDFs”, can be calculated on the lattice. The quasi-PDF nucleon matrix elements are renormalized non-perturbatively in RI/MOM-scheme. Following a nonperturbative renormalization of the parton quasi-distribution in a regularization-independent momentum-subtraction scheme, we establish its matching to the $\overline {{\rm{MS}}}$ PDF and calculate the non-singlet matching coeﬃcient at next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. In this proceeding, I will show the progress that has been made in recent years, highlighting the latest state-of-the art PDF calculations at the physical pion mass. Future impacts on the large- x global PDF fits are also discussed.
Authors:
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Award ID(s):
Publication Date:
NSF-PAR ID:
10097103
Journal Name:
EPJ Web of Conferences
Volume:
206
Page Range or eLocation-ID:
01003
ISSN:
2100-014X
1. There have been rapid developments in parton distribution functions (PDFs) using lattice QCD for both precision moments and direct calculation of the Bjorken-$x$ dependence. In this talk, I show some progress along these directions and show some examples of how lattice-QCD calculations can play a significant role in improving our understanding of PDFs in the future.
2. We present a state-of-the-art calculation of the isovector quark helicity Bjorken-$x$ distribution in the proton using lattice-QCD ensembles at the physical pion mass. We compute quasi-distributions at proton momenta $P_z \in \{2.2, 2.6, 3.0\}$~GeV on the lattice, and match them systematically to the physical parton distribution using large-momentum effective theory (LaMET). We reach an unprecedented precision through high statistics in simulations, large-momentum proton matrix elements, and control of excited-state contamination. The resulting distribution is in agreement within $2\sigma$ with the latest phenomenological analysis of the spin-dependent experimental data; in particular, $\Delta \bar{u}(x)>\Delta \bar{d}(x)$.