Search

Deeply virtual exclusive scattering processes (DVES) serve as precise probes of nucleon quark and gluon distributions in coordinate space. These distributions are derived from generalized parton distributions (GPDs) via Fourier transform relative to proton momentum transfer. QCD factorization theorems enable DVES to be parameterized by Compton form factors (CFFs), which are convolutions of GPDs with perturbatively calculable kernels. Accurate extraction of CFFs from DVCS, benefiting from interference with the Bethe-Heitler (BH) process and a simpler final state structure, is essential for inferring GPDs. This paper focuses on extracting CFFs from DVCS data using a variational autoencoder inverse mapper (VAIM) and its constrained variant (C-VAIM). VAIM is shown to be consistent with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods in extracting multiple CFF solutions for given kinematics, while C-VAIM effectively captures correlations among CFFs across different kinematic values, providing more constrained solutions. This study represents a crucial first step towards a comprehensive analysis pipeline towards the extraction of GPDs., Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures

In overview of the recent activity of the newly funded EXCLusives with AI and Machine learning (EXCLAIM) collaboration is presented. The main goal of the collaboration is to develop a framework to implement AI and machine learning techniques in problems emerging from the phenomenology of high energy exclusive scattering processes from nucleons and nuclei, maximizing the information that can be extracted from various sets of experimental data, while implementing theoretical constraints from lattice QCD. A specific perspective embraced by EXCLAIM is to use the methods of theoretical physics to understand the working of ML, beyond its standardized applications to physics analyses which most often rely on industrially provided tools, in an automated way., Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures

A framework defining benchmarks for the analysis of polarized exclusive scattering cross sections is proposed that uses physics symmetry constraints as well as lattice QCD predictions. These constraints are built into machine learning (ML) algorithms. Both physics driven and ML based benchmarks are applied to a wide range of deeply virtual exclusive processes through explainable ML techniques with controllable uncertainties. The observables, namely the Compton Form Factors (CFFs) which are convolutions of Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), are extracted using methods such as the random targets method to evaluate the separate contribution of the aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties in exclusive scattering analyses., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures

QCD gives rise to a rich spectrum of excited baryon states. Understanding their internal structure is important for many areas of nuclear physics, such as nuclear forces, dense matter, and neutrino-nucleus interactions. Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are an established tool for characterizing the QCD structure of the ground-state nucleon. They are used to create 3D tomographic images of the quark/gluon structure and quantify the mechanical properties such as the distribution of mass, angular momentum and forces in the system. Transition GPDs extend these concepts to $N \rightarrow N^\ast$ transitions and can be used to characterize the 3D structure and mechanical properties of baryon resonances. They can be probed in high-momentum-transfer exclusive electroproduction processes with resonance transitions $e + N \rightarrow e' + M + N^\ast$, such as deeply-virtual Compton scattering ($M = \gamma$) or meson production ($M = \pi, K$, $etc.$), and in related photon/hadron-induced processes. This White Paper describes a research program aiming to explore baryon resonance structure with transition GPDs. This includes the properties and interpretation of the transition GPDs, theoretical methods for structures and processes, first experimental results from JLab 12 GeV, future measurements with existing and planned facilities (JLab detector and energy upgrades, COMPASS/AMBER, EIC, EicC, J-PARC, LHC ultraperihperal collisions), and the theoretical and experimental developments needed to realize this program.

We develop a new methodology for extracting Compton form factors (CFFs) in from deeply virtual exclusive reactions such as the unpolarized DVCS cross section using a specialized inverse problem solver, a variational autoencoder inverse mapper (VAIM). The VAIM-CFF framework not only allows us access to a fitted solution set possibly containing multiple solutions in the extraction of all 8 CFFs from a single cross section measurement, but also accesses the lost information contained in the forward mapping from CFFs to cross section. We investigate various assumptions and their effects on the predicted CFFs such as cross section organization, number of extracted CFFs, use of uncertainty quantification technique, and inclusion of prior physics information. We then use dimensionality reduction techniques such as principal component analysis to visualize the missing physics information tracked in the latent space of the VAIM framework. Through re-framing the extraction of CFFs as an inverse problem, we gain access to fundamental properties of the problem not comprehensible in standard fitting methodologies: exploring the limits of the information encoded in deeply virtual exclusive experiments., Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures

We present results on two-parton densities in coordinate space, which capture a fuller dynamical picture of the proton's internal structure, including information on the relative position between quarks and gluons in the transverse plane. The connection of such two body densities to observables proceeds in QCD via the definition of double generalized parton distributions., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, 25th International Spin Physics Symposium (SPIN 2023)

The second Mellin moments $\langle x\rangle$ of the nucleon's unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions (PDFs) are computed. Two lattice QCD ensembles at the physical pion mass are used: these were generated using a tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action and 2+1 flavour tree-level improved Wilson Clover fermions coupling via 2-level HEX-smearing. The moments are extracted from forward matrix elements of local leading twist operators. We determine renomalization factors in RI-(S)MOM and match to $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ at scale $2\,\mathrm{GeV}$. Our findings show that operators that exhibit vanishing kinematics at zero momentum can have significantly reduced excited-state contamination. The resulting polarized moment is used to quantify the longitudinal contribution to the quark spin-orbit correlation. All our results agree within two sigma with previous lattice results.

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., Comment: 44 pages, ReVTeX, White Paper on EIC Theory Alliance

This handbook provides a comprehensive review of transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions and fragmentation functions, commonly referred to as transverse momentum distributions (TMDs). TMDs describe the distribution of partons inside the proton and other hadrons with respect to both their longitudinal and transverse momenta. They provide unique insight into the internal momentum and spin structure of hadrons, and are a key ingredient in the description of many collider physics cross sections. Understanding TMDs requires a combination of theoretical techniques from quantum field theory, nonperturbative calculations using lattice QCD, and phenomenological analysis of experimental data. The handbook covers a wide range of topics, from theoretical foundations to experimental analyses, as well as recent developments and future directions. It is intended to provide an essential reference for researchers and graduate students interested in understanding the structure of hadrons and the dynamics of partons in high energy collisions., Comment: 471 pages, many figures

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committees and Codes of Conduct (CoC) have become common in laboratories and physics departments across the country. However, very often these EDI committees and CoC are not equipped to provide practical consequences for violations, and therefore are mostly performative in nature. A considerable effort has been devoted by various groups within APS units and beyond the APS in developing instead what are now called Community Guidelines. Community Guidelines help implement the core principles in CoC, by setting expectations for participation in in-person events and virtual communication. When further accompanied by accountability and enforcement processes, they develop into Community Agreements. This White Paper discusses the elements necessary to create and implement an effective Community Agreement, reviews examples of Community Agreements in physics, and argues that physics collaborations, physics departments, and ultimately as many physics organizations as possible, however large or small, should have a Community Agreement in place. We advocate that Community Agreements should become part of the bylaws of any entity that has bylaws.

We develop a framework to establish benchmarks for machine learning and deep neural networks analyses of exclusive scattering cross sections (FemtoNet). Within this framework we present an extraction of Compton form factors for deeply virtual Compton scattering from an unpolarized proton target. Critical to this effort is a study of the effects of physics constraint built into machine learning (ML) algorithms. We use the Bethe-Heitler process, which is the QED radiative background to deeply virtual Compton scattering, to test our ML models and, in particular, their ability to generalize information extracted from data. We then use these techniques on the full cross section and compare the results to analytic model calculations. We propose a quantification technique, the random targets method, to begin understanding the separation of aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties as they are manifest in exclusive scattering analyses. We propose a set of both physics driven and machine learning based benchmarks providing a stepping stone towards applying explainable machine learning techniques with controllable uncertainties in a wide range of deeply virtual exclusive processes., Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures

We present a parametrization of the chiral even generalized parton distributions, $H$, $E$, $\widetilde{H}$, $\widetilde{E}$, for the quark, antiquark and gluon, in the perturbative QCD-parton framework. Parametric analytic forms are given as a function of two equivalent sets of variables $x,\xi,t$ (symmetric frame) and $X,\zeta,t$ (asymmetric frame), at an initial scale, $Q_o^2$. In the $X>\zeta$ region a convenient and flexible form is obtained as the product of a Regge term $\propto X^{-\alpha + \alpha' t}$, describing the low $X$ behavior, times a spectator model-based functional form depending on various mass parameters; the behavior at $X<\zeta$, is determined using the generalized parton distributions symmetry and polynomiality properties. The parameters are constrained using data on the flavor separated nucleon electromagnetic elastic form factors, the axial and pseudoscalar nucleon form factors, and the parton distribution functions from both the deep inelastic unpolarized and polarized nucleon structure functions. For the gluon distributions we use, in particular, constraints provided by recent lattice QCD moments calculations. The parametrization's kinematical range of validity is: $0.0001 \leq X \leq 0.85$, $0.01 \leq \zeta \leq 0.85$, $0 \leq -t \leq 1$ GeV$^2$, $2 \leq Q^2 \leq 100$ GeV$^2$. With the simultaneous description of the quark, anti-quark and gluon sectors, this parametrization represents a first tool enabling a global QCD analysis of deeply virtual exclusive experiments., Comment: 28 pages, 19 figures

We present a Machine Learning based approach to the cross section and asymmetries for deeply virtual Compton scattering from an unpolarized proton target using both an unpolarized and polarized electron beam. Machine learning methods are needed to study and eventually interpret the outcome of deeply virtual exclusive experiments since these reactions are characterized by a complex final state with a larger number of kinematic variables and observables, exponentially increasing the difficulty of quantitative analyses. Our deep neural network (FemtoNet) uncovers emergent features in the data and learns an accurate approximation of the cross section that outperforms standard baselines. FemtoNet reveals that the predictions in the unpolarized case systematically show a smaller relative median error than the polarized that can be ascribed to the presence of the Bethe Heitler process. It also suggests that the $t$ dependence can be more easily extrapolated than for the other variables, namely the skewness, $\xi$ and four-momentum transfer, $Q^2$. Our approach is fully scalable and will be capable of handling larger data sets as they are released from future experiments., Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures

We use a generalization of the Rosenbluth separation method for a model independent simultaneous extraction of the Compton Form Factors ${\cal H}$ and ${\cal E}$, from virtual Compton scattering data on an unpolarized target. A precise evaluation of ${\cal H}$ and ${\cal E}$, enabled by the proposed method, is the first step towards pinning down the the distribution of angular momentum inside the proton., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

The strong force which binds hadrons is described by the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Determining the character and manifestations of QCD is one of the most important and challenging outstanding issues necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the structure of hadrons. Within the context of the QCD parton picture, the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) have been remarkably successful in describing a wide variety of processes. However, these PDFs have generally been confined to the description of collinear partons within the hadron. New experiments and facilities provide the opportunity to additionally explore the transverse structure of hadrons which is described by Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions (TMD PDFs). In our previous review, we compared and contrasted the two main approaches used to determine the collinear PDFs: the first based on perturbative QCD factorization theorems, and the second based on lattice QCD calculations. In the present report, we provide an update of recent progress on the collinear PDFs, and also expand the scope to encompass the generalized PDFs (GPDs and TMD PDFs). We review the current state of the various calculations, and consider what new data might be available in the near future. We also examine how a shared effort can foster dialog between the PDF and Lattice QCD communities, and yield improvements for these generalized PDFs., Comment: 2020 PDFLattice Report, 64 pages, 34 figures

Using the helicity amplitudes formalism, we study deeply virtual exclusive electron photo-production off an unpolarized nucleon target, $ep \rightarrow e' p' \gamma$, through a range of kinematics both in the fixed target setting with initial electron energies of 6 GeV, 11 GeV and 24 GeV, and for an electron ion collider. We reformulate the cross section bringing to the forefront the defining features of the $ep \rightarrow e'p'\gamma$ process, where the observables are expressed as bilinear products of the independent helicity amplitudes which completely describe it in terms of the electric, magnetic and axial currents of the nucleon. %This structure is reflected in different ways in the Deeply virtual Compton scattering and Bethe-Heitler parts of the cross section. % These contributions are checked against the Fourier harmonics-based formalism which has provided so far the underlying mathematical framework to study Deeply virtual Compton scattering and related experiments. Using theoretical model calculations of the twist-two generalized parton distributions, $ H$, $E$, $\widetilde{H}$ and $\widetilde{E}$, we uncover large discrepancies between the harmonic series and our proposed framework. Most importantly, these numerical differences appear in the intermediate $Q^2$ range which represents a sweet spot for extracting generalized parton distributions from data. % We provide a framework that is ideal, on one side, to study and compare the different conventions that can be used to describe the leading order contribution to DVCS in QCD, while on the other, it facilitates a quantitative extraction of physically meaningful information from experiment through traceable and controllable approximations in the intermediate $Q^2$ region., Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures

This volume is a collection of contributions for the 7-week program "Probing Nucleons and Nuclei in High Energy Collisions" that was held at the Institute for Nuclear Theory in Seattle, WA, USA, from October 1 until November 16, 2018. The program was dedicated to the physics of the Electron Ion Collider (EIC), the world's first polarized electron-nucleon (ep) and electron-nucleus (eA) collider to be constructed in the USA. These proceedings are organized by chapters, corresponding to the weeks of the program: Week I, Generalized parton distributions; Week II, Transverse spin and TMDs; Week III, Longitudinal spin; Week IV, Symposium week; Weeks V & VI, eA collisions; Week VII, pA and AA collisions. We hope these proceedings will be useful to readers as a compilation of EIC-related science at the end of the second decade of the XXI century., Comment: Electron Ion Collider, INT 18-3 Program. Published by World Scientific. Duplicates content of arXiv:1912.10965, arXiv:1912.10724, arXiv:1910.03006, arXiv:1910.07982, arXiv:1912.13397, arXiv:1910.01979, arXiv:2001.07862, arXiv:2001.03700, arXiv:1910.01030, arXiv:1910.01273, arXiv:1912.13020, arXiv:1910.06003, arXiv:2001.03655, arXiv:1909.12591, arXiv:1909.09809, arXiv:1910.04806, arXiv:2001.05978

We address the validity of the momentum sum rule for deep inelastic nuclear structure functions., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

Major breakthroughs over the last two decades have led us to access information on how the nucleon's mass, spin and mechanical properties are generated from its quark and gluon degrees of freedom. On one side, a theoretical framework has been developed which enables the extraction of 3D parton distributions from deeply virtual exclusive scattering experiments. On the other hand, the so called gravitomagnetic form factors parameterizing the QCD energy momentum tensor of the nucleon have been connected to the Mellin moments of the 3D parton distributions. Current efforts in both experiment and theory are being directed at using information from electron scattering experiments to map out and eventually visualize these 3D distributions as well as the mass, spin and mechanical properties of the nucleon and of spin 0, 1/2, and 1 nuclei. A new science of nucleon femtography is emerging where the 3D structure of the nucleon will be studied merging information from current and forthcoming data from various facilities including the future EIC and the new influx of data science, imaging, and visualization., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, Plenary Talk at "SPIN 2018, Ferrara, Italy, September 10-14, 2018"

We provide the general expression of the cross section for exclusive deeply virtual photon electroproduction from a spin 1/2 target using current parameterizations of the off-forward correlation function in a nucleon for different beam and target polarization configurations up to twist three accuracy. All contributions to the cross section including deeply virtual Compton scattering, the Bethe-Heitler process, and their interference, are described within a helicity amplitude based framework which is also relativistically covariant and readily applicable to both the laboratory frame and in a collider kinematic setting. Our formalism renders a clear physical interpretation of the various components of the cross section by making a connection with the known characteristic structure of the electron scattering coincidence reactions. In particular, we focus on the total angular momentum, $J_z$, and on the orbital angular momentum, $L_z$. On one side, we uncover an avenue to a precise extraction of $J_z$, given by the combination of generalized parton distributions, $H+E$, through a generalization of the Rosenbluth separation method used in elastic electron proton scattering. On the other, we single out for the first time, the twist three angular modulations of the cross section that are sensitive to $L_z$. The proposed generalized Rosenbluth technique adds an important constraint for mapping the 3D structure of the nucleon., Comment: 62 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables

The recent detection of gravitational waves from merging neutron star events has opened a new window on the many unknown aspects of their internal dynamics. A key role in this context is played by the transition from baryon to quark matter described in the neutron star equation of state (EoS). In particular, the binary pulsar observation of heavy neutron stars requires appropriately stiff dense matter in order to counter gravitational collapse, at variance with the predictions of many phenomenological quark models. On the other side, the LIGO observations favor a softer EoS therefore providing a lower bound to the equation stiffness. We introduce a quantum chromodynamics (QCD) description of the neutron star's high baryon density regime where the pressure and energy density distributions are directly obtained from the matrix elements of the QCD energy momentum tensor. Recent ab initio calculations allow us to evaluate the energy-momentum tensor in a model independent way including both quark and gluon degrees of freedom. Our approach is a first effort to replace quark models and effective gluon interactions with a first principles, fully QCD-based description. Most importantly, the QCD energy momentum tensor matrix elements are connected to the Mellin moments of the generalized parton distributions which can be measured in deeply virtual exclusive scattering experiments. As a consequence, we establish a connection between observables from high energy experiments and from the analysis of gravitational wave events. Both can be used to mutually constrain the respective sets of data. In particular, the emerging QCD-based picture is consistent with the GW170817 neutron star merger event once we allow a first-order phase transition from a low-density nuclear matter EoS to the newly-constructed high-density quark-gluon one., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

New Lorentz Invariance Relations (LIRs) were presented between twist-three Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and transverse momentum, $k_T$, moments of twist-two Generalized Transverse Momentum-Dependent Distributions (GTMDs). By implementing both these LIRs and the QCD Equations of Motion in the quark quark correlation function, we generated a new series of Wandzura Wilczek (WW) relations in the off-forward sector. Two of these WW relations take on a particularly interesting physical meaning in that they provide a clear interpretation of the QCD structure of Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) in the nucleon. In particular, they provide a solution to the outstanding puzzle of how OAM could be simultaneously described by twist-two GTMDs and twist-three GPDs. Additional relations were discussed, in particular, for the helicity configurations that can be detected analyzing specific spin asymmetries: one corresponding to a longitudinally polarized quark in an unpolarized proton, associated with spin-orbit correlations, and one for transverse proton polarization, as a generalization of the relation obeyed by the $g_2$ structure function; finally, we defined a relation connecting the off-forward extension of the Sivers function to an off-forward Qiu-Sterman term., Comment: 5 pages, talk presented at QCD Evolution 2017, 22-16 May 2017, Jefferson Lab, Newport News, VA-USA

In the framework of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), parton distribution functions (PDFs) quantify how the momentum and spin of a hadron are divided among its quark and gluon constituents. Two main approaches exist to determine PDFs. The first approach, based on QCD factorization theorems, realizes a QCD analysis of a suitable set of hard-scattering measurements, often using a variety of hadronic observables. The second approach, based on first-principle operator definitions of PDFs, uses lattice QCD to compute directly some PDF-related quantities, such as their moments. Motivated by recent progress in both approaches, in this document we present an overview of lattice-QCD and global-analysis techniques used to determine unpolarized and polarized proton PDFs and their moments. We provide benchmark numbers to validate present and future lattice-QCD calculations and we illustrate how they could be used to reduce the PDF uncertainties in current unpolarized and polarized global analyses. This document represents a first step towards establishing a common language between the two communities, to foster dialogue and to further improve our knowledge of PDFs., Comment: 80 pages, 15 figures, 28 tables, minor typos corrected, published in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics

It is now widely recognized that large Bjorken $x$ data play an important role in global analyses of Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) even at collider energies, through perturbative QCD evolution. For values of the scale of the reaction, $Q^2$, in the multi-GeV region the structure functions at large $x$ present resonance structure. Notwithstanding, these data can be incorporated in the analyses by using quark-hadron duality or approximate scaling of the structure function data averaged over their resonance structure. Several averaging methods have been proposed using either the PDFs Mellin moments, or their truncated moments. We propose an alternative method using Bernstein polynomials integrals, or Bernstein moments. Bernstein moments render a smooth form of the structure function in the resonance region. Furthermore, being based on a different averaging criterion than the methods adopted so far, they provide a new framework for understanding the possible mechanisms giving origin to the phenomenon of quark-hadron duality., Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures

We derive new Lorentz Invariance and Equation of Motion Relations between twist-three Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and moments in the parton transverse momentum, $k_T$, of twist-two Generalized Transverse Momentum-Dependent Distributions (GTMDs), as a function of the parton longitudinal momentum fraction $x$. Although GTMDs in principle define the observables for partonic orbital motion, experiments that can unambiguously detect them appear remote at present. The relations presented here provide a solution to this impasse in that, e.g., the orbital angular momentum density is connected to directly measurable twist-three GPDs. Out of 16 possible Equation of Motion relations that can be written in the T-even sector, we focus on three helicity configurations that can be detected analyzing specific spin asymmetries: two correspond to longitudinal proton polarization and are associated with quark orbital angular momentum and spin-orbit correlations; the third, obtained for transverse proton polarization, is a generalization of the relation obeyed by the $g_2$ structure function. We also exhibit an additional relation connecting the off-forward extension of the Sivers function to an off-forward Qiu-Sterman term., Comment: 37 pages, 2 figures

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.

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.

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.

We study the orbital angular momentum contribution to the spin structure of the proton. It is well known that the quark and gluon spin contributions do not add up to the proton spin. We motivate the connection between the Generalized Transverse Momentum Distribution (GTMD) $F_{14}$, and orbital angular momentum by exploring the underlying quark proton helicity amplitude structure. The twist three Generalized Parton Distribution (GPD) $\tilde{E}_{2T}$, was shown to connect to OAM. We study these functions using a diquark model calculation. The GTMD $F_{14}$ is unique in that it can describe both Jaffe-Manohar and Ji OAM depending on choice of gauge link, i.e. whether final state interactions are included or not. We perform a calculation of $F_{14}$ in both scenarios., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, presented at QCD Evolution 2015, May 26 - 30, 2015, Jeffeson Lab, Newport News, Virginia

The quark orbital angular momentum component of proton spin, $L_q$, can be defined in QCD as the integral of a Wigner phase space distribution weighting the cross product of the quark's transverse position and momentum. It can also be independently defined from the operator product expansion for the off-forward Compton amplitude in terms of a twist-three generalized parton distribution. We provide an explicit link between the two definitions, connecting them through their dependence on partonic intrinsic transverse momentum. Connecting the definitions provides the key for correlating direct experimental determinations of $L_q$, and evaluations through Lattice QCD calculations. The direct observation of quark orbital angular momentum does not require transverse spin polarization, but can occur using longitudinally polarized targets., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

Spin and transverse momentum dependent parton distributions - Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) - are at the interface between the QCD structure of the hadrons and observable quantities. The GPDs are linear superpositions within helicity amplitudes. The amplitudes are probed in high energy leptoproduction processes through angular dependent cross sections and polarization asymmetries. Phenomenological extraction of the amplitudes and the distributions is a challenging task. We present observables that connect particularly with the chiral odd quark-nucleon helicity amplitudes for Deeply Virtual $\pi^0$ Production., Comment: Talk presented at CIPANP2015. 15 pages, LaTeX, 7 figures

We discuss two different definitions of partonic orbital angular momentum given in the literature in terms of the Fourier transform of a Wigner distribution, $F_{14}$, and a twist three generalized parton distribution, $\tilde{E}_{2T}$, respectively. We derive a relation between the two definitions which reflects their specific spin and intrinsic transverse momentum/transverse space correlations as well as their gauge link structure., Comment: 7 pages, presented at XXIII International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering, 27 April - May 1 2015, Dallas, Texas

We evaluate the impact of recent developments in hadron phenomenology on extracting possible fundamental tensor interactions beyond the standard model. We show that a novel class of observables, including the chiral-odd generalized parton distributions, and the transversity parton distribution function can contribute to the constraints on this quantity. Experimental extractions of the tensor hadronic matrix elements, if sufficiently precise, will provide a so far absent testing ground for lattice QCD calculations., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

A new debate has recently arisen on the subject of orbital angular momentum in QCD, in particular on its observability and on its partonic interpretation. Orbital momentum can be defined in QCD using two different decomposition schemes that yield a kinetic and a canonical definition, respectively. We argue that kinetic orbital angular momentum is intrinsically associated with twist three generalized parton distributions, and it is therefore more readily observable, while, due to parity constraints, canonical angular momentum, if defined as suggested in the literature in terms of generalized transverse momentum distributions, cannot be observed in scattering processes involving a single hadronic reaction plane., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures

We discuss the application of an alternative type of neural network, the Self-Organizing Map to extract parton distribution functions from various hard scattering processes., Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1309.7085

A polarized $ep/eA$ collider (Electron--Ion Collider, or EIC), with polarized proton and light-ion beams and unpolarized heavy-ion beams with a variable center--of--mass energy $\sqrt{s} \sim 20$ to $\sim100$~GeV (upgradable to $\sim 150$ GeV) and a luminosity up to $\sim 10^{34} \, \textrm{cm}^{-2} \textrm{s}^{-1}$, would be uniquely suited to address several outstanding questions of Quantum Chromodynamics, and thereby lead to new qualitative and quantitative information on the microscopic structure of hadrons and nuclei. During this meeting at Jefferson Lab we addressed recent theoretical and experimental developments in the spin and the three--dimensional structure of the nucleon (sea quark and gluon spatial distributions, orbital motion, polarization, and their correlations). This mini--review contains a short update on progress in these areas since the EIC White paper~\cite{Accardi:2012qut}., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures; Summary of the Informal Pre-Town Meeting held at Jefferson Lab, Newport News, VA, from August 13 - 15, 2014

Using a physically motivated parameterization based on the reggeized diquark model we perform a flavor separation of the chiral-odd generalized parton distributions obtained from both $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ exclusive electroproduction. In our approach we exploit a connection between the chiral-even and chiral-odd reduced helicity amplitudes using Parity transformations that are relevant for a class of models that includes two-component models. We compare our results for $\eta$ production to the previously obtained $\pi^0$ results, and we make predictions for the transverse single spin asymmetry components which will be measured within the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV program., Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures

We argue that due to Parity constraints, the helicity combination of the purely momentum space counterparts of the Wigner distributions -- the generalized transverse momentum distributions -- that describes the configuration of an unpolarized quark in a longitudinally polarized nucleon, can enter the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude only through matrix elements involving a final state interaction. The relevant matrix elements in turn involve light cone operators projections in the transverse direction, or they appear in the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude at twist three. Orbital angular momentum or the spin structure of the nucleon was a major reason for these various distributions and amplitudes to have been introduced. We show that the twist three contributions associated to orbital angular momentum %to deeply virtual Compton scattering provide observables related to orbital angular momentum and are related to the target-spin asymmetry in deeply virtual Compton scattering, already measured at HERMES., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; version published in Physics Letters B

Our original suggestion to investigate exclusive $\pi^0$ electroproduction as a method for extracting the tensor charge, transversity, and other quantities related to chiral odd generalized parton distributions from cross section and asymmetry data is reviewed. We explain some of the details of the process: {\it i)} the connection between the helicity description and the cartesian basis; {\it ii)} the dependence on the momentum transfer squared, $Q^2$, and {\it iii)} the angular momentum, parity, and charge conjugation constraints ($J^{PC}$ quantum numbers)., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of QCD Evolution Workshop III, Jefferson Lab, May 2013

We argue that due to parity constraints, the helicity combination of the purely momentum space counterparts of the Wigner distributions -- the generalized transverse momentum distributions -- that describes the configuration of an unpolarized quark in a longitudinally polarized nucleon, can enter the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude only through matrix elements involving a final state interaction. The relevant matrix elements in turn involve light cone operators projections in the transverse direction, or they appear in the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude at twist three. Orbital angular momentum or the spin structure of the nucleon was a major reason for these various distributions and amplitudes to have been introduced. We show that twist three contributions to deeply virtual Compton scattering provide observables related to orbital angular momentum., Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, Proceedings of QCD Evolution Workshop, Jefferson Lab, May 2013

We present and discuss a new method to extract parton distribution functions from hard scattering processes based on an alternative type of neural network, the Self-Organizing Map. Quantitative results including a detailed treatment of uncertainties are presented within a Next to Leading Order analysis of inclusive electron proton deep inelastic scattering data., Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures

We present an analysis of the role of the running coupling constant at the intersection of perturbative and nonperturbative QCD in the context of the quark-hadron duality \`a la Bloom-Gilman. Our framework will be the unpolarized structure function of the proton in the resonance region. We suggest that the realization of duality is related to the inclusion of nonperturbative effects at the level of the coupling constant. The outcome of our analysis is a smooth transition from perturbative to nonperturbative QCD physics, embodied in the running of the coupling constant at intermediate scales., Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the QCD Evolution Workshop, JLab, May 6-10, 2013. Includes ws-ijmpcs.cls

We present recent developments on the role of the running coupling constant at the intersection of perturbative and nonperturbative QCD. A number of experiments show a smooth transition from small to large scales given by the four-momentum transfer in the reactions. This is at variance with perturbative QCD where the running coupling constant becomes infinite when the scale equals $\Lambda_{{\tiny QCD}}$. Approaches using an effective coupling constant could help interpret the opposite trend of data as compared to standard perturbative QCD predictions. We give an overview of the role of the coupling constant in the procedure to match nonperturbative hadronic model to perturbative QCD and we propose an extraction of an effective coupling constant from inclusive electron proton scattering data at large Bjorken x., Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the QCD Evolution Workshop, JLab, May 14-17, 2012. Includes ws-ijmpcs.cls

We give an interpretation of the $u$ and $d$ quarks contributions to the nucleon electromagnetic form factors for values of the four-momentum transfer in the multi-GeV region where flavor separated data have been recently made available. The data show, in particular, a suppression of $d$ quarks with respect to $u$ quarks at large momentum transfer. %and constant ratios of the flavor dependent Pauli to Dirac form factors ratios. This trend can be explained using a reggeized diquark model calculation of generalized parton distributions, thus providing a correlation between momentum and coordinate spaces, both of which are necessary in order to interpret the partonic substructure of the form factors. We extend our discussion to the second moments of generalized parton distributions which are believed to contribute to partonic angular momentum., Comment: 22 pages, 19 figures; results and figures added and changed, tables added, formulae added, major rewriting of text

Exclusive $\pi^o$ electroproduction from nucleons was first suggested by Ahmad, Goldstein and Liuti for extracting from experimental data the tensor charge, transversity and other quantities related to chiral odd combinations of generalized parton distributions. We now explain the details of the process: {\it i)} the connection between the helicity description and the cartesian basis; {\it ii)} the dependence on the momentum transfer squared, $Q^2$, and {\it iii)} the angular momentum, parity, and charge conjugation constraints ($J^{PC}$ quantum numbers)., Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures, some changes in formalism, and text. Introduced section titles

Longstanding puzzles in spin physics can be confronted at the high energies of the LHC. Will large s-quark and c-quark polarization be observed through heavy hyperon production? Top quarks are expected to have significant polarization - single spin asymmetries. How can such observations sort out possible QCD mechanisms? Leptoproduction provides a means to access those mechanisms. TMDs, GPDs and Fracture Functions all provide different model approaches to the polarization phenomena. Their implications will be described., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, presentation at Transversity 2011, Losinj, Croatia (revised comment for ref.9)

We propose an extraction of the running coupling constant of QCD in the infrared region from experimental data on deep inelastic inclusive scattering at Bjorken x -> 1. We first attempt a perturbative fit of the data that extends NLO PQCD evolution to large x values and final state invariant mass, W, in the resonance region. We include both target mass corrections and large x resummation effects. These effects are of order O(1/Q^2), and they improve the agreement with the Q^2 dependence of the data. Standard analyses require the presence of additional power corrections, or dynamical higher twists, to achieve a fully quantitative fit. Our analysis, however, is regulated by the value of the strong coupling in the infrared region that enters through large x resummation effects, and that can suppress, or absorb, higher twist effects. Large x data therefore indirectly provide a measurement of this quantity that can be compared to extractions from other observables., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures

We show how deeply virtual pseudoscalar meson production experiments single out the contribution of the four chiral odd quark-proton GPDs which are related to the so far elusive transversity distribution function, $h_1$. Furthermore, in the kinematical ranges of the proposed EIC, electroproduction of strange and charmed mesons will allow one to uniquely pin down the non-perturbative charmed component in the nucleon structure function, and at the same time provide new insights in the connection of the quark/gluon degrees of freedom with the meson-baryon description. The use of dispersion relations as well as the naive extension of the parton model to the ERBL region are critically analyzed., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, unexpurgated version of the contribution submitted to the section "Spatial imaging of quarks and gluons" (tentative title) of the INT 10-3 program write-up

We discuss the extension of a systematic perturbative QCD based analysis to the x -> 1 region. After subtracting a number of effects that transcend NLO pQCD evolution, such as target mass corrections and large x resummation effects, the remaining power corrections can be interpreted as dynamical higher twists. The quantitative outcome of the analysis is dominated by the interplay between the value of alpha_S in the infrared region and the higher twists. We uncover a dual role played by alpha_S at large Bjorken x that can be used to experimentally extract its value in the non-perturbative regime., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, presented at HiX2010 Workshop, Jefferson Lab, October 2010