Generalized parton distributions in the deuteron

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Quantum Chromodynamics

Background:

• The deuteron, the simplest nucleus, provides a unique laboratory for studying nuclear structure.
• Understanding the internal dynamics of the deuteron is crucial for nuclear physics.
• Parton distribution functions (PDFs) describe the momentum distribution of quarks and gluons within hadrons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and define generalized quark and gluon distributions specifically for the deuteron.
• To explore the theoretical properties of these novel distributions.
• To establish a connection between these distributions and experimentally accessible processes.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical framework for generalized parton distributions (GPDs) applied to the deuteron.
• Analysis of exclusive processes such as deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) and meson electroproduction.
• Investigation of the deuteron wave function in terms of its constituent nucleon and parton degrees of freedom.

Main Results:

• Definition of generalized quark and gluon distributions for the deuteron.
• Characterization of the basic properties of these distributions.
• Identification of specific exclusive processes for their experimental measurement.

Conclusions:

• Generalized parton distributions offer a new window into the deuteron's structure.
• These distributions probe the intricate interplay between nucleon and parton degrees of freedom.
• Experimental measurements of these distributions will advance our understanding of nuclear dynamics.