Self-consistent Gaussian model of nonperturbative QCD vacuum

We show that the minimal Gaussian model of nonlocal vacuum quark and quark-gluon condensates in QCD violates the transverse character of the correlator of two vector currents. We suggest the improved Gaussian model of the nonperturbative QCD vacuum, which respects QCD equations of motion and minimizes the revealed gauge-invariance breakdown. We obtain the refined values of pion distribution amplitude (DA) conformal moments 〈ξ^2N 〉_π (N = 1, ..., 5) using the improved QCD vacuum model, including the inverse moment 〈x ^?1〉_π, being inaccessible if one uses the standard QCD SR. We construct the allowed region for Gegenbauer coefficients a ₂ and a ₄ of the pion DA for two values of the QCD vacuum nonlocality parameter, λ _q ² = 0.4 and 0.5 GeV².     

Discriminative deep inelastic tests of strong interaction field theories

It is demonstrated that recent measurements of ∫¹₀F₂(x, Q²)dx eliminate already all strong interaction field theories except QCD. A detailed study of scaling violations of F₂(x, Q²) in QCD shows their insensitivity to the gluon content of the hadron at presently measured values of Q².     

Transverse momentum in Drell-Yan processes

We study the transverse momentum distribution of muon pairs from Drell-Yan processes in QCD. In particular the dependence of 〈k_⊥²〉 on Q² is considered. QCD predicts an approximately linear rise of 〈k_⊥²〉 with S or Q² only at fixed τ = Q²/S. The slope as a function of τ is quantitatively studied for P$\text{P}$ and P-nucleus scattering. The most recent data showing a rather flat 〈k_⊥²〉 in Q² at fixed S are found to be consistent with QCD.     

Spin Structure of the Nucleon at Low Q 2 Region

The spin structure of the nucleon can play a key testing ground for the Quantum Chromo-Dynamics(QCD) at wide kinematic ranges from smaller to large four momentum transfer Q ². It is far more challenging to understand the QCD at small Q ² region due to the non-perturbative nature. Jefferson Lab has been one of the major experimental facilities for the spin structure with its polarized electron beams and various polarized targets. A few QCD sum rules have been compared with the measured spin structure functions g ₁ and g ₂ at low Q ² and the most surprising results have been obtained for the spin polarizabilities, γ ₀ and δ _LT .     

Hard-thermal-loop QCD trace anomaly

In this proceedings I summarize results of QCD trace anomaly from recent three-loop hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory (HTLpt) calculations. I focus on the trace anomaly scaled by T ² for pure-glue and N _f = 3 QCD. The comparison to available lattice data suggests that for pure-glue QCD agreement between HTLpt results and lattice data for the trace anomaly begins at temperatures above 8 T _c while when including quarks (N _f = 3) agreement begins already at temperatures above 2 T _c . The results in both cases indicate that at very high temperatures the T ²-scaled trace anomaly increases with temperature in accordance with the predictions of HTLpt.     

B c-meson decays and lifetime within QCD sum rules

On the basis of three-point sum rules, the form factors for the semileptonic decays B _c ⁺ → B _s(B _s ^* )l ⁺ ν _l are calculated with allowance for α _s/v Coulomb corrections for the heavy quarkonium. Generalized relations associated with spin symmetry within the approach combining heavy-quark effective theory and nonrelativistic QCD are derived for form factors in the region of recoil momenta close to zero. The nonleptonic decays of the B _c meson are studied on the basis of the factorization hypothesis. By summing the main exclusive modes of c-quark decays and by using the results of a previous analysis of b-quark decays, the B _c-meson lifetime is estimated within QCD sumrules and within nonrelativistic QCD.     

Large corrections to high-pT hadron-hadron scattering in QCD

We have computed the first non-trivial QCD corrections to the quark-quark scattering process which contributes to the production of hadrons at large p_T in hadron-hadron collisions. Using quark distribution functions defined in deep inelastic scattering and fragmentation functions defined in one particle inclusive e⁺e^? annihilation, we find that the corrections are large. This implies that QCD perturbation theory may not be reliable for large-p_T haron physics.     

The effect of 1Q2 and αs corrections on tests of QCD

We discuss in detail the use of the structure function F₃(x, Q²) of deep-inelastic neutrino scattering for testing quantum chromodynamics. QCD is entirely consistent with all data. However, we show that higher-twist (order $\text{1}\text{Q}{}^2$) contributions, which are commonly neglected, can have a dramatic impact on interpretation of this result. At present the data are not accurate enough to determine the magnitudes of these $\text{1}\text{Q}{}^2$ contributions within the context of QCD. Furthermore, the possible presence of higher-twist terms makes it impossible to unambiguously detect the logarithmic Q² dependence and anomalous dimensions which distinguish QCD from hypothetical alternative theories. As a result, more precise data with higher Q² are needed to provide definitive tests of QCD. The corrections of second-order in α_s introduce fewer complications for testing QCD, and provide a useful context for understanding critical ambiguities in the definitions of α_s and Λ.     

e+e− → γ + Hadrons

We give the spectrum in momentum and angle of directly produced γ's in e⁺e^? → γ + hadrons, and show that in QCD if p_⊥² of the recoil hadron jet relative to the photon is large, the leading logarithmic corrections to the lowest order result are absent. This process is therefore of great value in learning whether QCD actually governs quark dynamics.     

Magnetic moments of negative parity baryons from the effective Hamiltonian approach to QCD

The magnetic moments of the S ₁₁(1535) and S ₁₁(1650) baryons are studied in the framework of the relativistic three-quark Hamiltonian derived in the Field Correlation Method. The baryon magnetic moments are expressed via the average current quark energies which are defined by the fundamental QCD parameters: the string tension σ, the quark masses, and the strong coupling constant α _s . The resulting magnetic moments for the J ^P = 1/2^? nucleons are compared both to model calculations and to those from lattice QCD.     

Structure of two-loop evolution kernels and evolution of the pion wave function in ϕ(6)3 and QCD

The general structure of the two-loop nonforward evolution kernels is investigated in the ϕ₍₆₎³ model and QCD. The solution of the two-loop evolution equations is constructed in both models. In QCD, the contribution of the two-loop corrections to the wave function evolution is estimated numerically.     

The spectrum of hot hadronic matter and finite-temperature QCD sum rules

The sum rules method, which is widely used for the investigation of the resonance physics within the QCD framework, is generalized to the case of finite temperatures and densities. Conditions are formulated under which this method is quite efficient for the determination of the spectrum of hadronic matter at T ≠ 0. The finite-temperature QCD sum rules are analysed in the vector channel J^PC = 1⁻⁻. Sharp and qualitative changes in the spectrum are found in the temperature interval T = 130–150 MeV. It is naturally explained as a consequence of the disappearance of confinement at the temperature T_c = 140±10 MeV. The finite-temperature QCD sum rules also show that the restoration of chiral symmetry at some temperature T_F cannot precede deconfinement. In the case T_F⪢T_c the sum rules indicate that the intermediate phase at T_c<T<T_F is dominated by quasi-free quarks with nonzero dynamical mass m_q^T ≈ 300 MeV.     

Conformally covariant composite operators in quantum chromodynamics

Conformal covariance is shown to determine renormalization properties of composite operators in QCD and in the ϕ₆³-model at the one-loop level. Its relevance to higher-order (renormalization group improved) perturbative calculations in the short-distance limit is also discussed. Light cone operator product expansions and spectral representations for wavefunctions in QCD are derived.     

The hadronic and point-like contributions to theF 2 photon structure function in perturbative QCD

A detailed discussion is given of the hadronic and point-like contributions to theF ₂ photon structure function (F ₂ ^γ ) in both the naive parton model and QCD. The non-singlet part of the leading order solution, first found by Witten, is re-derived using the QCD improved parton model, enabling the hadronic and point-like terms to be clearly identified and correlated with observed jet structure in the final state. When important non leading-log terms are included, the sensitivity of the solution to Λ is found to be weak for allQ ² values, and the all orders solution to be well approximated by theO(α _s ² solution. The approximations made in deriving the leading order solution are critically examined, and an approach enabling more quantitative tests of QCD to be made from measurements of the point-like (perturbative) component ofF ₂ ^γ is suggested.     

QCD estimates for associated charm production by weak neutral currents

We give quantitative estimates for associated charm production in neutrino and antineutrino induced neutral current interactions, based on (a) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and (b) the quark parton model (QPM) and a phenomenological generalization thereof. We emphasize the need for a precise measurement of the ratio σ(v_μN→v_μe⁺X)/σ(v_μN→μ^?X) and the corresponding ratio for antineutrinos, as these can provide clean tests of certain characteristic features of QCD. Bounds are obtained for single charm production by charm-changing neutral currents.     

Comparison of e+e− annihilation with QCD and determination of the strong coupling constant

We have analyzed 1113 events of the reaction e⁺e^? → hadrons at CM energies of 12 and 30 GeV in order to make a detailed comparison with QCD. Perturbative effects can be well separated from effects depending on the quark and gluon fragmentation parameters to yield a reliable measurement of the coupling constant α_S. At 30 GeV, the result is α_S = 0.17 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.03 (systematic). QCD model predictions, using the fragmentation parameters determined along with α_S, agree with both gross properties of the final states and with detailed features of the three-jet states.     

DSE Perspective on QCD Modeling,Distribution Amplitudes,and Form Factors

We describe results for the pion distribution amplitude (PDA) at the non-perturbative scale μ = 2 GeV by projecting the Poincaré-covariant Bethe–Salpeter wave-function onto the light-front and use it to investigate the ultraviolet behavior of the electromagnetic form factor, F _π (Q ²), on the entire domain of spacelike Q ². The significant dilation of this PDA compared to the known asymptotic PDA is a signature of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking on the light front. We investigate the transition region of Q ² where non-perturbative behavior of constituent-like quarks gives way to the partonic-like behavior of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The non-perturbative approach is based on the Dyson–Schwinger equation (DSE) framework for continuum investigations in QCD. The leading-order, leading-twist perturbative QCD result for Q ² F _π (Q ²) underestimates the new DSE computation by just 15 % on \({Q^2\gtrsim 8\,}\) GeV², in stark contrast with the result obtained using the asymptotic PDA.     

Comparison of moments from the valence structure function with QCD predictions

We present moments (both ordinary and Nachtmann) of the nucleon valence structure function measured in high Q²_νFE scattering, supplemented by data from deep inelastic eD scattering. These data seem to agree with QCD predictions for vector gluons. The QCD parameter Λ is found to be of the order 0.5 GeV.     

Jets from heavy quarks ine + e − annihilation

The quark mass effects in the jet structure ine ⁺ e ^? annihilation into hadrons are studied in the lowest nontrivial O(α _s ) order of QCD perturbation theory.