Quark degrees of freedom in hadronic systems

Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory of the strong interactions. We review descriptions of hadronic systems motivated by QCD, analyzing the recent controversy between gluonic and bosonic degrees of freedom under the prism of the Cheshire Cat Principle. Our analysis leads to an optimal scheme to study hadronic properties. We proceed to extend this low energy descriptions to the deep inelastic regime

Generalized parton distributions in constituent quark models

An approach is proposed to calculate Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) in a Constituent Quark Model (CQM) scenario. These off-diagonal distributions are obtained from momentum space wave functions to be evaluated in a given non relativistic or relativized CQM. The general relations linking the twist-two GPDs to the form factors and to the leading twist quark densities are consistently recovered from our expressions. Results for the leading twist, unpolarized GPD, H, in a simple harmonic oscillator model, as well as in the Isgur and Karl model, are shown to have the general behavior found in previous estimates. NLO evolution of the obtained distributions, from the low momentum scale of the model up to the experimental one, is also shown. Further natural applications of the proposed formalism are addressed

Helicity-dependent generalized parton distributions and composite constituent quarks

An approach, recently proposed to calculate the nucleon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in a constituent quark model (CQM) scenario, in which the constituent quarks are taken as complex systems, is used to obtain helicity-dependent GPDs. They are obtained from the wave functions of the non relativistic CQM of Isgur and Karl, convoluted with the helicity-dependent GPDs of the constituent quarks themselves. The latter are modelled by using the polarized structure functions of the constituent quark, the double distribution representation of GPDs, and a phenomenological constituent quark form factor. The present approach permits to access a kinematical range corresponding to both the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi and the Efremov-Radyushkin-Brodsky-Lepage regions, for small values of the momentum transfer and of the skewedness parameter. In this kinematical region, the present calculation represents a prerequisite for the evaluation of cross sections relevant to deeply virtual Compton scattering. In particular, we have calculated the leading twist helicity-dependent GPD \tilde H and, from our expressions, its general relations with the non relativistic definition of the axial form factor and with the leading twist polarized quark density are consistently recovered

Double parton correlations in constituent quark models

Double parton correlations, having effects on the double parton scattering processes occurring in high-energy hadron-hadron collisions, for example at the LHC, are studied in the valence quark region by means of constituent quark models. In this framework, two particle correlations are present without any additional prescription, at variance with what happens, for example, in independent particle models, such as the MIT bag model in its simplest version. From the present analysis, conclusions similar to the ones obtained recently in a modified version of the bag model can be drawn: correlations in the longitudinal momenta of the active quarks are found to be sizable, while those in transverse momentum are much smaller. However, the framework used allows us to understand clearly the dynamical origin of the correlations. In particular, it is shown that the small size of the correlations in transverse momentum is a model-dependent result, which would not occur if models with sizable quark orbital angular momentum were used to describe the proton. Our analysis permits us, therefore, to clarify the dynamical origin of the double parton correlations and to establish which, among the features of the results, are model independent. The possibility of testing the studied effects experimentally is discussed

The role of the dilaton in dense skyrmion matter

In this note, we report on a remarkable and surprising interplay between the omega meson and the dilaton chi in the structure of a single skyrmion as well as in the phase structure of dense skyrmion matter which may have a potentially important consequence on the properties of compact stars. In our continuing effort to understand hadronic matter at high density, we have developed a unified field theoretic formalism for dense skyrmion matter using a single Lagrangian to describe simultaneously both matter and meson fluctuations and studied in-medium properties of hadrons. The effective theory used is the Skyrme model Lagrangian gauged with the vector mesons rho and omega, implemented with the dilaton field that describes the spontaneously broken scale symmetry of QCD, in a form consistent with the symmetries of QCD and our expectations regarding the high density limit. We analyze the restoration of scale invariance and chiral symmetry as the density of the system increases. In order to preserve the restoration of scale symmetry and chiral symmetry, signalled in our case by the vanishing of the expectation value of the dilaton, and to be consistent with the vector manifestation of hidden local symmetry, a density dependent omega coupling is introduced. We uncover the crucial role played by both the dilaton and the omega meson in the phase structure of dense medium and discover how two different phase transition regimes arise as we dial the dilaton mass

QCD sum rule analysis of the pentaquark

We perform a QCD sum rule calculation to determine the mass and the parity of the lowest lying pentaquark state. We include operators up to dimension d=13 in the OPE and the direct instanton contributions. We find evidence for a positive parity state. The contribution from operators of dimension d>5 is instrumental in determining the parity of the state and achieving the convergence of the sum rule

Further comments on a vanishing singlet axial vector charge

The recent suggestion of a vanishing flavor-singlet axial-charge of nucleon due to a nontrivial vacuum structure is further amplified. A perturbative QCD discussion, applicable for the heavy quark contributions, relates it to the physics of the decoupling theorem. It is also shown that leads to a negative η′-meson-quark coupling, which has been found to be compatible with the chiral quark model phenomenology

The pion velocity in dense skyrmion matter

We have developed a field theory formalism to calculate in-medium properties of hadrons within a unified approach that exploits a single Lagrangian to describe simultaneously both matter background and meson fluctuations. In this paper we discuss the consequences on physical observables of a possible phase transition of hadronic matter taking place in the chiral limit. We pay special attention to the pion velocity vπ, which controls, through a dispersion relation, the pion propagation in the hadronic medium. The vπ is defined in terms of parameters related to the matrix element in matter of the axial-vector current, namely, the in-medium pion decay constants, ft and fs. Both of the pion decay constants change dramatically with density and even vanish in the chiral limit when chiral symmetry is restored, but the pion velocity does not go to zero, decreasing at most 10% over the whole density range studied. A possible pseudogap structure is indicated

DIS structure functions and the double-spin asymmetry in rho(0) electroproduction within a Regge approach

The proton, neutron and deuteron structure functions F2(x,Q2) and g1(x,Q2), measured at intermediate Q2, are analyzed within a Regge approach. This analysis serves to fix the parameters of this scheme which are then used to calculate, in a unified Regge approach, the properties of ρ0 meson electroproduction on the proton and the deuteron. In this way, the double-spin asymmetry observed at HERMES in ρ0 electroproduction on the proton, can be related to the anomalous behavior of the flavor-singlet part of the spin-dependent structure function g1(x,Q2) at small x

eta-eta ' mixing in the flavor basis and large N

The mass matrix for η−η′ is derived in the flavor basis at O(p4) of the chiral Lagrangian using the large N approximation. Under certain assumptions, the mixing angle ϕ=41.4∘ and the decay constants ratio fK/fπ=1.15 are calculated in agreement with the data. It appears that the FKS scheme arises as a special limit of the chiral Lagrangian. Their mass matrix is obtained without the hypothesis on the mixing pattern of the decay constants