Pseudoscalar mesons: Light front wave functions, GPDs, and PDFs

We develop a unified algebraic model which satisfactorily describes the internal structure of pion and kaon as well as heavy quarkonia (eta(c) and eta(b)). For each of these mesons, we compute their generalized parton distributions (GPDs), built through the overlap representation of their light front wave function, tightly constrained by the modern and precise knowledge of their quark distribution amplitudes. From this three-dimensional knowledge of mesons, we deduce parton distribution functions (PDFs) as well as electromagnetic form factors and construct the impact parameter space GPDs. The PDFs for mesons formed with light quarks are then evolved from the hadronic scale of around 0.3 to 5.2 GeV, probed in experiments. We make explicit comparisons with experimental results available and with earlier theoretical predictions.

Automated summary

We have developed a unified algebraic model to describe the internal structure of pions, kaons, and heavy quarkonia (η(c) and η(b)). By computing the generalized parton distributions (GPDs), we obtain the three-dimensional knowledge of these mesons and deduce the parton distribution functions (PDFs) and electromagnetic form factors. We also construct the impact parameter space GPDs. Comparisons with experimental results and previous theoretical predictions have been made to validate our calculations.