Pion Light-Cone Wave Functions and Light-Front Quark Model

We discuss a relation between the light-front quark model and QCD. We argue that this model can be used for an evaluation of the light-cone wave functions for moderate values of "u", but that it is inapplicable for this purpose in the region near the ends points u=0,1. We find additional support for a recent analysis in which it was claimed that the twist-two pion wave function attains its asymptotic form. The asymptotic twist-four two-particle wave function is also in good agreement with the light-front quark model.Comment: 11 pages and 2 PS-figures in one gz-compressed .tar file. Minor chang

Extracting forward strong amplitudes from elastic differential cross sections

The feasibility of a model-independent extraction of the forward strong amplitude from elastic nuclear cross section data in the Coulomb-nuclear interference region is assessed for $\pi$ and $K^+$ scattering at intermediate energies. Theoretically-generated "data" are analyzed to provide criteria for optimally designing experiments to measure these amplitudes, whose energy dependence (particularly that of the real parts) is needed for disentangling various sources of medium modifications of the projectile-nucleon interaction. The issues considered include determining the angular region over which to make the measurements, the role of the most forward angles measured, and the effects of statistical and systematic errors. We find that there is a region near the forward direction where Coulomb-nuclear interference allows reliable extraction of the strong forward amplitude for both pions and the $K^+$ from .3 to 1 GeV/c.Comment: 16 pages plus 12 separate postscript figure