We show that quark orbital angular momentum is directly related to off-forward correlation functions which include intrinsic transverse momentum corresponding to a derivative with respect to the transverse coordinates. Its possible contribution to scattering processes is therefore of higher twist and vanishes in the forward limit. The relation of OAM to other twist 2 and 3 distributions known in the literature is derived and formalized by an unintegrated sum rule.
A complete list of the so-called Lorentz invariance relations between parton distribution functions is given and some of their consequences are discussed, such as the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule. The violation of these relations is considered in a model independent way. It is shown that several Lorentz invariance relations are not violated in a generalized Wandzura-Wilczek approximation, indicating that numerically their violation may be small.
We present the alternative way of derivation of the Wandzura-Wilczek relations between the kinematical twist-3 and twist-2 functions, parameterizing hadronic matrix element in two-photon processes $gamma^{star}pito gammapi$ and $gamma^{star}gammatopipi$. The new equations, providing the independence of the physical cross-sections on the choice of the light-cone direction, are suggested and explored. The amplitude of $gamma^{star}gammatopipi$ up to genuine twist-3 accuracy is found.
The violation of the so-called Lorentz invariance relations between parton distribution functions is considered in a model independent way. It is shown that these relations are not violated in a generalized Wandzura-Wilczek approximation, indicating that numerically their violation may be small.
The difference between the quark orbital angular momentum (OAM) defined in light-cone gauge (Jaffe-Manohar) compared to defined using a local manifestly gauge invariant operator (Ji) is interpreted in terms of the change in quark OAM as the quark leaves the target in a DIS experiment.
The orbital angular momentum of quarks and gluons contributes significantly to the proton spin budget and attracted a lot of attention in the recent years, both theoretically and experimentally. We summarize the various definitions of parton orbital angular momentum together with their relations with parton distributions functions. In particular, we highlight current theoretical puzzles and give some prospects.