Search

This document summarizes the prospective physics plans of the French QCD and Heavy-Ion community, including the experimental programs at the LHC Run 5 and beyond and future colliders at CERN, within the context of the French contribution to the update of the European Strategy in Particle Physics (ESPPU 2025), as discussed in the workshop on European Strategy for Particle Physics Update 2025 organised by the QCD GdR in Oct. 2024., Comment: 6.5 pages without title page and without references, no figures. Keywords: QCD, Heavy Ions, Quark Gluon Plasma, LHC, FCC

We review our results on a new class of $2 \to 3$ exclusive processes, as a probe of both chiral-even and chiral-odd quark GPDs. We consider the exclusive photoproduction of a photon-meson pair, in the kinematics where the pair has a large invariant mass, described in the collinear factorization framework. We cover the whole kinematical range from medium energies in fixed target experiments to very large energies of colliders, by considering the experimental conditions of JLab 12-GeV, COMPASS, future EIC and LHC (in ultra-peripheral collisions) cases. Our analysis covers neutral and charged rho-mesons, as well as charged pions. The case of the rho-meson, depending on its polarization, provides access to either chiral-even or chiral-odd GPDs, at leading twist. We find that the order of magnitude of the obtained cross sections are sufficiently large for a dedicated experimental analysis to be performed, especially at JLab. Furthermore, we compute the linear photon beam polarization asymmetry, which we find to be sizeable, in the case of a longitudinally polarized $\rho$-meson or of a charged pion. These predictions are obtained for both asymptotic distribution amplitude (DA) and holographic DA., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, Presented by S. Wallon at the 31st International Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS2024). arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2401.17656

While visual SLAM systems are well studied and achieve impressive results in indoor and urban settings, natural, outdoor and open-field environments are much less explored and still present relevant research challenges. Visual navigation and local mapping have shown a relatively good performance in open-field environments. However, globally consistent mapping and long-term localization still depend on the robustness of loop detection and closure, for which the literature is scarce. In this work we propose a novel method to pave the way towards robust loop detection in open fields, particularly in agricultural settings, based on local feature search and stereo geometric refinement, with a final stage of relative pose estimation. Our method consistently achieves good loop detections, with a median error of 15cm. We aim to characterize open fields as a novel environment for loop detection, understanding the limitations and problems that arise when dealing with them.

The purpose of this work is to do a systematic feasibility study of measuring in backward region deeply virtual Compton scattering on the pion in Sullivan processes in the framework of collinear QCD factorization where pion to photon transition distribution amplitudes (TDAs) describe the photon content of the $\pi$ meson. Our approach employs TDAs based on the overlap of light front wave functions, using a previously developed pion light-front wave function and deriving a consistent model for the light front wave functions of the photon. This work is expected to lead us to an estimate of the cross-sections that could be measured in the future U.S. and China's electron-ion colliders. It will also provide a comparison with the forward Sullivan DVCS case, which gives access to pion GPDs and for which a strong signal is expected., Comment: Proceedings for 31st International Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering

The use of an efficient coverage planning method is key for autonomous navigation in agricultural environments, where a robot must cover large areas of crops. This paper generally reviews the current state of the art of coverage path planning methods. Two widely used techniques applicable to agricultural environments are described in detail. The first consists of breaking down a complex field with obstacles into simpler subregions known as cells, to subsequently generate a coverage pattern in each of them. The second analyzes spaces composed of parallel strips through which the robot must circulate, in order to find the optimal order of visiting strips that minimizes the total distance traveled. Additionally, the combination of both techniques is discussed in order to obtain a more efficient global coverage plan. This analysis was conceived to be implemented with the soybean crop weeding robot developed at CIFASIS (CONICET-UNR)., Comment: in Spanish language

Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are off-forward matrix elements of quark and gluon operators that work as a window to the total angular momentum of partons and their transverse imaging (nucleon tomography). To access GPDs one needs to look into exclusive processes which are usually studied in a kinematic regime known as the Bj\"orken limit. In this limit, the photon virtualities are much larger than the hadron mass $M$, and the kick to the hadron measured by the Mandelstam's variable $t$. It turns out that this is not enough for the purposes of a precise GPD extraction and, in particular, of nucleon tomography for which measurements in a sizable range of $t$ are required. Deviation with respect to the Bj\"orken limit induces kinematic higher-twist corrections which enter the amplitudes with powers of $|t|/\mathbb{Q}^2$ and $M^2/\mathbb{Q}^2$, where $\mathbb{Q}^2$ denotes the scale of the process (basically, the sum of photon virtualities in the case of DDVCS). There are also corrections by the name of "genuine" higher twists which are a separate topic and are not the subject of this research study. In this manuscript, we present novel calculations of DDVCS amplitudes off a (pseudo-)scalar target including up to kinematic twist-4 corrections. These results are important for measuring DDVCS, DVCS and TCS through the Sullivan process and off helium-4 target at the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and JLab experiments. Preliminary numerical estimates for the pion target are provided., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, conference proceedings for the 31st International Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS2024)

We discuss the exclusive photoproduction of a photon-meson pair with large $ p_{T} $ as a channel to probe generalised parton distributions (GPDs). Like other $ 2\to3 $ exclusive processes, this channel allows us to better study the $ x $-dependence of GPDs, in contrast to $ 2\to2 $ processes such as Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) which give only "moment-type" information. Moreover, it also gives the possibility to access, at leading twist, the chiral-odd GPDs, which are still completely unknown experimentally. In the first part of these proceedings, we present the computation of the amplitude at leading order and leading twist, for charged pions, and rho mesons of any charge and polarisation. These processes are sensitive to quark GPDs only. We also discuss the possibility of measuring such processes at various experiments, namely JLab, COMPASS, future EIC and LHC in ultra-peripheral collisions. In particular, in collider experiments, the dependence of GPDs at small skewness $ (<10^{-3}) $ can be extracted. For the second part, we report on our recent work on the exclusive photoproduction of $ \pi^{0}\gamma $ pair, which, in addition to a quark GPD channel, also has a contribution from gluon GPDs. In the latter case, we demonstrate that a collinear factorisation of the process fails, due to the presence of a Glauber pinch. Our findings also imply that other similar processes, like $ \pi ^{0} N \to \gamma \gamma N $ also suffer from the same issue. On the other hand, we stress that the processes discussed earlier, which are sensitive to the quark GPD channels only, are safe from these factorisation breaking effects., Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Presented at 25th International Spin Physics Symposium (SPIN 2023), Durham, NC, USA

Double deeply virtual Compton scattering (DDVCS) is a very precise tool for the nucleon tomography. Its measurement requires high luminosity electron beams and precise dedicated detectors, since its amplitude is quite small in the interesting kinematical domain where collinear QCD factorization allows the extraction of quark and gluon generalized parton distributions (GPDs). We analyze the prospects for its study in the JLab energy domain as well as in higher energy electron-ion colliders. Our results are very encouraging for various observables both with an unpolarized and polarized lepton beam. Using various realistic models for GPDs, we demonstrate that DDVCS measurements are indeed very sensitive to their behaviour. Implementing our lowest order cross-section formulae in the EpIC Monte Carlo generator, we estimate the expected number of interesting events., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, conference proceedings for the 25th International Spin Physics Symposium (SPIN 2023)

Generalized distribution amplitudes (GDAs) of mesons can be probed by the reactions $e^- e^+ \to M_1 M_2 \gamma$, which are accessible at electron-positron colliders such as BESIII and Belle II. After discussing the neutral meson production case in the first paper of this series \cite{Pire:2023kng}, we discuss here the complementary case of the charged meson ($M^+ M^-$) production, where one can extract the complete information on GDAs from the interference of the amplitudes of the two competing processes where the photon is emitted either in the initial or in the final state. Considering the importance of the charged meson production, we present a complete expression for the interference term of the cross section which is experimentally accessible thanks to its charge conjugation specific property. We adopt two types of models for leading twist $\pi \pi$ GDAs to estimate the size of the interference term in the process $e^- e^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma$ numerically, namely a model extracted from previous experimental results on $\gamma^* \gamma \to \pi^0 \pi^0$ at Belle and the asymptotic form predicted by QCD evolution equations. We include in the calculation the kinematical power suppressed (sometimes called kinematical higher-twist) corrections up to $1/Q^2$ for the helicity amplitudes. Both models of GDAs indicate that the kinematical corrections are not negligible for the interference term of the cross section measured at BESIII, thus it is necessary to include them if we try to extract the GDAs precisely. On the other side, the kinematical corrections are very tiny for the measurements at Belle II, and the leading twist-2 formula of the interference term will be good enough to describe the charge conjugation odd part of the differential cross section., Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Physical Review D

The accelerating pace in the automation of agricultural tasks demands highly accurate and robust localization systems for field robots. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) methods inevitably accumulate drift on exploratory trajectories and primarily rely on place revisiting and loop closing to keep a bounded global localization error. Loop closure techniques are significantly challenging in agricultural fields, as the local visual appearance of different views is very similar and might change easily due to weather effects. A suitable alternative in practice is to employ global sensor positioning systems jointly with the rest of the robot sensors. In this paper we propose and implement the fusion of global navigation satellite system (GNSS), stereo views, and inertial measurements for localization purposes. Specifically, we incorporate, in a tightly coupled manner, GNSS measurements into the stereo-inertial ORB-SLAM3 pipeline. We thoroughly evaluate our implementation in the sequences of the Rosario data set, recorded by an autonomous robot in soybean fields, and our own in-house data. Our data includes measurements from a conventional GNSS, rarely included in evaluations of state-of-the-art approaches. We characterize the performance of GNSS-stereo-inertial SLAM in this application case, reporting pose error reductions between 10% and 30% compared to visual-inertial and loosely coupled GNSS-stereo-inertial baselines. In addition to such analysis, we also release the code of our implementation as open source., Comment: This paper has been accepted for publication in Journal of Field Robotics, 2023

This document presents the initial scientific case for upgrading the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab (JLab) to 22 GeV. It is the result of a community effort, incorporating insights from a series of workshops conducted between March 2022 and April 2023. With a track record of over 25 years in delivering the world's most intense and precise multi-GeV electron beams, CEBAF's potential for a higher energy upgrade presents a unique opportunity for an innovative nuclear physics program, which seamlessly integrates a rich historical background with a promising future. The proposed physics program encompass a diverse range of investigations centered around the nonperturbative dynamics inherent in hadron structure and the exploration of strongly interacting systems. It builds upon the exceptional capabilities of CEBAF in high-luminosity operations, the availability of existing or planned Hall equipment, and recent advancements in accelerator technology. The proposed program cover various scientific topics, including Hadron Spectroscopy, Partonic Structure and Spin, Hadronization and Transverse Momentum, Spatial Structure, Mechanical Properties, Form Factors and Emergent Hadron Mass, Hadron-Quark Transition, and Nuclear Dynamics at Extreme Conditions, as well as QCD Confinement and Fundamental Symmetries. Each topic highlights the key measurements achievable at a 22 GeV CEBAF accelerator. Furthermore, this document outlines the significant physics outcomes and unique aspects of these programs that distinguish them from other existing or planned facilities. In summary, this document provides an exciting rationale for the energy upgrade of CEBAF to 22 GeV, outlining the transformative scientific potential that lies within reach, and the remarkable opportunities it offers for advancing our understanding of hadron physics and related fundamental phenomena., Comment: Updates to the list of authors; Preprint number changed from theory to experiment; Updates to sections 4 and 6, including additional figures

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

Double deeply virtual Compton scattering (DDVCS) is the process where an electron scatters off a nucleon and produces a lepton pair. The main advantage of this process in contrast with deeply virtual and timelike Compton scatterings (DVCS and TCS) is the possibility of directly measuring GPDs for $x\neq\pm\xi$ at leading order in $\alpha_s$ (LO). We present a new calculation of the DDVCS amplitude based on spinor techniques which produce expressions for amplitudes that are perfectly suited for their implementation in numerical simulations. Elements of impact studies, including predictions for experiments at JLab12, JLab20+ and the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), are studied by means of the PARTONS software and the EpIC Monte Carlo event generator., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, proceedings for the DIS2023: XXX International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2304.03704

We carry out the calculation of kinematical higher-twist corrections to the cross section of $\gamma^* \to M_1 M_2 \gamma$ up to twist 4, where $M_i$ is a scalar or pseudoscalar neutral meson. The three independant helicity amplitudes are presented in terms of the twist-2 generalized distribution amplitudes (GDAs), which are important non-perturbative quantities for understanding the 3D structure of hadrons. Since this process can be measured by BESIII in $e^+ e^-$ collisions, we perform the numerical estimate of the kinematical higher-twist corrections by using the kinematics of BESIII. We adopt the $\pi \pi$ GDA extracted from Belle measurements and the asymptotic $\pi \pi$ GDA to study the size of the kinematical corrections in the case of pion meson pair, and a model $\eta \eta$ GDA is used to see the impact of target mass corrections $\mathcal O(m^2/s)$ for $\gamma^* \to \eta \eta \gamma$. Our results show that the kinematical higher-twist corrections account for $\sim 20\%$ of the cross sections at BESIII on the average, and it is necessary to include them if one tries to extract GDAs from experimental measurements precisely. We also comment the case of $\pi^0 \eta$ production which is important for the search of hybrid mesons., Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, title changed, added comment on $\pi \eta$ production, published in PRD107(2023), 114014

Double deeply virtual Compton scattering (DDVCS) is the process where an electron scatters off a nucleon and produces a lepton pair. The main advantage of this process in contrast with deeply virtual and timelike Compton scatterings (DVCS and TCS) is the possibility of directly measuring GPDs for $x\neq\pm\xi$ at leading order in $\alpha_s$ (LO). We present a new calculation of the DDVCS amplitude based on the methods developed by R. Kleiss and W. J. Stirling in the 1980s. These techniques produce expressions for amplitudes that are perfectly suited for implementation in numerical simulations. Via the PARTONS software, the correctness of this new formulation has been tested by comparing the DVCS and TCS limits of DDVCS with independent calculations of DVCS and TCS., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, proceedings for the XXIX Cracow Epiphany Conference

We revisit the phenomenology of the deep exclusive electroproduction of a lepton pair, i.e. double deeply virtual Compton scattering (DDVCS), in view of new experiments planned in the near future. The importance of DDVCS in the reconstruction of generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in their full kinematic domain is emphasized. Using Kleiss-Stirling spinor techniques, we provide the leading order complex amplitudes for both DDVCS and Bethe-Heithler sub-processes. Such a formulation turns out to be convenient for practical implementation in the PARTONS framework and EpIC Monte Carlo generator that we use in simulation studies., Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures

We extend our studies of a new class of $2 \to 3$ exclusive processes using the collinear factorisation framework by considering the exclusive photoproduction of a $\gamma\,\rho$ pair, in the kinematics where the pair has a large invariant mass, {and the outgoing $ \rho $-meson has a sufficiently large transverse momentum to not resonate with the nucleon}. We cover the whole kinematical range from medium energies in fixed target experiments to very large energies of colliders, by considering the experimental conditions of JLab~12-GeV, COMPASS, future EIC and LHC (in ultra-peripheral collisions) cases. One of the main interest in studying the present process is that it provides access to both chiral-even and chiral-odd GPDs, depending on the polarisation of the outgoing $\rho$-meson, both at leading twist. Our analysis covers both neutral and charged $ \rho $-mesons. We find that the order of magnitude of the obtained cross sections are sufficiently large for a dedicated experimental analysis to be performed, especially at JLab, for both longitudinally and transversely polarised $\rho$. Furthermore, we compute the linear photon beam polarisation asymmetry {which is} sizeable for a longitudinally polarised meson. These predictions are obtained for both asymptotic distribution amplitude (DA) and the \textit{holographic} DA., Comment: 84 pages, 56 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2212.00655

Hard exclusive reactions initiated by pion or photon beams within the near-backward kinematical regime specified by the small Mandelstam variable $-u$ can be studied to access pion-to-nucleon and photon-to-nucleon Transition Distribution Amplitudes (TDAs). Checking the validity of collinear factorized description of pion and photon induced reactions in terms of TDAs allows to test the universality of TDAs between the space-like and time-like regimes that is the indispensable feature of the QCD collinear factorization approach. In this short review we consider the exclusive pion- and photo-production off nucleon of a highly virtual lepton pair (or heavy quarkonium) in the near-backward region. We first employ a simplistic cross channel nucleon exchange model of pion-to-nucleon TDAs to estimate the magnitude of the corresponding cross sections for the kinematical conditions of J-PARC. We then illustrate the flexibility of our approach by building a two parameter model for the photon-to-nucleon TDAs based on preliminary results for near threshold $J/\psi$ photoproduction at JLab and provide our estimates for near-backward $J/\psi$ photoproduction and Timelike Compton Scattering cross sections for the kinematical conditions of JLab and of future EIC and EicC., Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures; The paper is extended by adding in Sec. 7 a discussion on the near-backward charmonium photoproduction employing the photon-to-nucleon TDA model driven by the recent GlueX data on the $J/\psi$ photoproduction in arXiv:2304.03845

We study the exclusive photoproduction of a photon-meson pair with a large invariant mass, working in the QCD factorisation framework. Explicitly, we consider a $ \rho $-meson or a charged $ \pi $ in the final state. This process gives access to chiral-even GPDs as well as chiral-odd GPDs. We focus here on the chiral-even sector. The computation is performed at leading order and leading twist. We discuss the prospects of measuring them in various experiments such as JLab 12-GeV, COMPASS, future EIC and LHC (in ultraperipheral collisions). In particular, the high centre of mass energies available at collider experiments can be used to probe GPDs at small skewness $ \xi $. We also compute the polarisation asymmetries with respect to the incoming photon. The results for an alternative distribution amplitude (`holographic' form) are also compared with the predictions obtained with an asymptotic distribution amplitude., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Presented by S. Nabeebaccus at `Diffraction and Low-x 2022', Corigliano Calabro (Italy), September 24-30, 2022. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2209.05380

We compute the exclusive photoproduction of a $\gamma\,\pi^\pm$ pair using the collinear factorisation framework, in the kinematic regime where the pair has a large invariant mass. This exclusive channel presents a new avenue for the investigation of GPDs. It is particularly interesting as the high centre of mass energies available at future experiments will allow the study of GPDs at small skewness $ \xi $. We compute the scattering amplitude of the process, at leading twist and leading order in $\alpha_s$, which is used to estimate its cross-section and linear polarisation asymmetries with respect to the incoming photon, for JLab~12-GeV, COMPASS, future EIC and LHC (in ultra-peripheral collisions) kinematics. We find that the order of magnitude of estimates are sufficiently large for a dedicated experimental analysis to be performed, especially at JLab. We also compare the results from an asymptotic distribution amplitude (DA) to those using a recently proposed \textit{holographic} DA., Comment: 50 pages, 32 figures

We estimate kinematical higher-twist (up to twist 4) corrections to the $\gamma^*(q_1) \gamma(q_2) \to M(p_1) \bar{M}(p_2)$ amplitudes at large $Q^2=-q_1^2$ and small $s=(q_1+q_2)^2$, where $M$ is a scalar or pseudoscalar meson. This process is known to factorize at leading twist into a perturbatively calculable coefficient function and generalized distribution amplitudes (GDAs). The kinematical higher-twist contributions of order $s/Q^2$ and $m^2/Q^2$ turn out to be important in the cross section, considering the kinematics accessible at Belle and Belle II. We present numerical estimates for the cross section for $\gamma^* \gamma \to \pi^0 \pi^0$ with the $\pi \pi$ GDA extracted from Belle measurements and with the asymptotic $\pi \pi$ GDA as inputs to study the magnitude of the kinematical corrections. To see how the target mass corrections of order $m^2/Q^2$ affect the cross section, we also perform the calculation for $\gamma^* \gamma \to \eta \eta$ by using a model $\eta \eta$ GDA.In the range $s> 1$ GeV$^2$, the kinematical higher-twist corrections account for $\sim 15 \%$ of the total cross section, an effect which is not negligible. Since $\pi \pi$ GDAs are the best way to access the pion energy-momentum tensor (EMT), our study demonstrates that an accurate evaluation of EMT form factors requires the inclusion of kinematical higher-twist contributions., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures

We consider the exclusive photo-production of a photon-meson pair with a large invariant mass, working in the QCD factorisation framework. Explicitly, we consider a $ \rho $-meson or a charged $ \pi $ in the final state. This process gives access both to chiral-even GPDs and chiral-odd GPDs, which are not well-known experimentally, especially the latter ones. The computation is performed at leading order and leading twist. We discuss the prospects of measuring them in experiments, focusing on the kinematics at the JLab 12-GeV experiment, and pPb ultra-peripheral collisions at LHC. In particular, the latter gives access to the small $ \xi $ regime of GPDs., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Presented by S. Nabeebaccus at DIS2022: XXIX International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, May 2-6 2022

We apply the Braun-Manashov technique to improve the description of $\gamma^*(q_1) \gamma(q_2) \to M(p_1) M(p_2)$ amplitudes at large $Q^2=-q_1^2$ and small $s=(q_1+q_2)^2$. We derive the kinematical higher-twist contributions of order $s/Q^2$ and $m^2/Q^2$ to the helicity amplitudes and estimate their sizes in the kinematics accessible at Belle and Belle II.Since pion GPDs cannot be directly measured by experiment, $\pi \pi$ GDAs are the best way to investigate the energy-momentum tensor form factors for pions., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Part of Proceedings, XXIX International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, May 2-6 2022

The farming industry constantly seeks the automation of different processes involved in agricultural production, such as sowing, harvesting and weed control. The use of mobile autonomous robots to perform those tasks is of great interest. Arable lands present hard challenges for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) systems, key for mobile robotics, given the visual difficulty due to the highly repetitive scene and the crop leaves movement caused by the wind. In recent years, several Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) and SLAM systems have been developed. They have proved to be robust and capable of achieving high accuracy in indoor and outdoor urban environments. However, they were not properly assessed in agricultural fields. In this work we assess the most relevant state-of-the-art VIO systems in terms of accuracy and processing time on arable lands in order to better understand how they behave on these environments. In particular, the evaluation is carried out on a collection of sensor data recorded by our wheeled robot in a soybean field, which was publicly released as the Rosario Dataset. The evaluation shows that the highly repetitive appearance of the environment, the strong vibration produced by the rough terrain and the movement of the leaves caused by the wind, expose the limitations of the current state-of-the-art VIO and SLAM systems. We analyze the systems failures and highlight the observed drawbacks, including initialization failures, tracking loss and sensitivity to IMU saturation. Finally, we conclude that even though certain systems like ORB-SLAM3 and S-MSCKF show good results with respect to others, more improvements should be done to make them reliable in agricultural fields for certain applications such as soil tillage of crop rows and pesticide spraying., Comment: This paper has been accepted for publication in Journal of Field Robotics

We develop the analysis of diphoton exclusive photoproduction in the kinematics where a collinear QCD factorization framework applies, namely nearly forward large invariant mass diphoton production. We work at the leading twist level and at the next-to-leading order (NLO) in the strong coupling constant $\alpha_S$. We compare our predictions for cross-sections with Born order calculations for the experimental conditions accessible to JLab experiments and show the interesting sensitivity of our results to various models of generalized parton distributions (GPDs). The NLO corrections are rather large and negative but do not prevent the studied reaction from being a promising tool for the extraction of C-dd GPDs, which do not contribute to either spacelike or timelike deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitudes.

40 years after its introduction, the phenomenon of color transparency remains a domain of controversial interpretations of experimental data. We review present evidence for or against its manifestation in various exclusive hard scattering reactions. The nuclear transparency experiments reveal whether short distance processes dominate a scattering amplitude at some given kinematical point. We plead for a new round of nuclear transparency measurements in a variety of experimental set-ups, including near-forward exclusive reactions related to generalized parton distribution (GPD) physics and near-backward exclusive reactions related to transition distribution amplitudes (TDA) physics., Comment: proceedings of the 2021 workshop on the Future of Color Transparency and Hadronization studies at Jefferson Lab and beyond

We propose to study the onset of color transparency in hard exclusive reactions in the backward regime. Guided by the encouraging JLab results on backward pion and omega electro-production data at moderate Q^2, which may be interpreted as the signal of an early scaling regime where the scattering amplitude factorizes in a hard coefficient function convoluted with nucleon to meson transition distribution amplitudes, we show that the study of these channels on nuclear targets opens a new opportunity to test the appearance of nuclear color transparency for a fast moving nucleon.

The exclusive photoproduction off nucleon of a large invariant mass lepton pair in the backward region specified by the small Mandelstam variable $-u$ is discussed in the framework of collinear QCD factorization. The amplitude is factorized in terms of photon-to-nucleon Transition Distribution Amplitudes (TDAs) which encode the photon content of the nucleon. Model estimates of these new non-perturbative objects are described and the corresponding cross sections calculated. The background due to the electromagnetic Bethe-Heitler process is shown to be negligible in the kinematical regime of interest., Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures, 1 table. A major revision of the paper. A sign mistake was corrected in amplitude calculations. This resulted in predicting higher cross section for the bTCS reaction

We calculate in the framework of collinear factorization the amplitude for the photoproduction of a near forward large mass diphoton at leading twist and next to leading order (NLO) in $\alpha_s$. We demonstrate the validity of factorization at this order, which was never achieved for such a reaction where the coefficient function describes a $2 \to 3$ hard process. While the Born order amplitude was purely imaginary and only probed the $x=\pm \xi$ cross-over line of generalized parton distributions (GPD) domain, the NLO result contains both a real and an imaginary part and probes the whole domain of definition of quark GPDs. The phenomenology of our results for medium (JLab) and higher energy (EIC) experiments will be developed in a future study.

We calculate large mass diphoton exclusive photoproduction in the framework of collinear QCD factorization at next to leading order in {\alpha}s and at leading twist. Collinear divergences of the coefficient function are absorbed by the evolution of the generalized parton distributions (GPDs). This result enlarges the existing factorization proofs to 2 -> 3 processes, opening new reactions to a trustable extraction of GPDs., Comment: Submission to SciPost Proceedings