Equations of motion for the light-like QCD Wilson loops are studied in the generalized loop space (GLS) setting. To this end, the classically conformal-invariant non-local variations of the cusped Wilson exponentials lying (partially) on the light-co
ne are formulated in terms of the Frechet derivative. The rapidity and renormalization-group behaviour of the gauge-invariant quantum correlation functions (in particular, the three-dimensional parton densities) are demonstrated to be connected to certain geometrical properties of the Wilson loops defined in the GLS.
QCD factorization approach in the field-theoretic description of the semi-inclusive hadronic processes in the large Bjorken $x$ approximation implies extraction of the three-dimensional parton distribution functions as a convolution of a collinear je
t function and soft transverse-distance dependent (TDD) function defined as a vacuum average of a partially light-like Wilson loop. The soft function can be interpreted, therefore, as an element of generalized loop space. A class of classically conformal-invariant transformations of the elements of this space is generated by the non-local area derivative operator which corresponds to a diffeomorphism in the loop space and determines equations of motion, the latter being associated with the rapidity evolution of the soft TDD functions. We propose a large-$x$ TDD factorization framework and discuss practical applications of this approach to the phenomenology of the TDDs accessible in future experimental programs at the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV and the Electron-Ion Collider.
We discuss possible applications of the equations of motion in the generalized Wilson loop space to the phenomenology of the three-dimensional parton distribution functions in the large-$x_B$ approximation. This regime is relevant for future experime
ntal programs to be launched at the (approved) Jefferson Lab 12 GeV upgrade and the (planned) Electron-Ion Collider. We show that the geometrical evolution of the Wilson loops corresponds to the combined rapidity and renormalization-group equation of the transverse-distance dependent parton densities in the large-$x_B$ factorization scheme.
We address the geometrical structure of the skewed correlator of two space-like separated (almost) oppositely directed Wilson lines. Similar objects occur in the analysis of the transverse-momentum broadening probability function, the first moment of
which is associated with the jet quenching parameter. We start from the Euclidean space formulation and then transform the result to the Minkowski light-cone geometry, arguing that this procedure is consistent in the leading order of the perturbative expansion. We discuss as well the issues of the UV, rapidity and IR singularities, and possible use of the proposed approach in lattice simulations.
We discuss the possible relation between the singular structure of TMDs on the light-cone and the geometrical behaviour of rectangular Wilson loops.
