We present a calculation of the effective cross section $sigma_{eff}$, an important ingredient in the description of double parton scattering in proton-proton collisions. Our theoretical approach makes use of a Light-Front quark model as framework to
calculate the double parton distribution functions at low-resolution scale. QCD evolution is implemented to reach the experimental scale. The obtained $sigma_{eff}$, when averaged over the longitudinal momentum fractions of the interacting partons, $x_i$, is consistent with the present experimental scenario. However the result of the complete calculation shows a dependence of $sigma_{eff}$ on $x_i$, a feature not easily seen in the available data, probably because of their low accuracy. Measurements of $sigma_{eff}$ in restricted $x_i$ regions are addressed to obtain indications on double parton correlations, a novel and interesting aspect of the three dimensional structure of the nucleon.
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, within constituent quark models. In this framewor
k, 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 recenty 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 used framework allows 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 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 to test experimentally the studied effects is discussed.
An impulse approximation analysis is described of the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) H and E of the 3He nucleus, quantities which are accessible in hard exclusive processes, such as coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS). The calc
ulation is based on the Av18 interaction. The electromagnetic form factors are correctly recovered in the proper limits. The sum of the GPDs H and E of 3He, at low momentum transfer, is largely dominated by the neutron contribution, thanks to the unique spin structure of 3He. This nucleus is therefore very promising for the extraction of the neutron information. By increasing the momentum transfer, however, this conclusion is somehow hindered by the the fast growing proton contribution. Besides, even when the neutron contribution to the GPDs of 3He is largely dominating, the procedure of extracting the neutron GPDs from it could be, in principle, nontrivial. A technique is therefore proposed, independent on both the nuclear potential and the nucleon model used in the calculation, able to take into account the nuclear effects included in the IA analysis and to safely extract the neutron information at values of the momentum transfer large enough to allow the measurements. Thanks to this observation, coherent DVCS should be considered a key experiment to access the neutron GPDs and, in turn, the orbital angular momentum of the partons in the neutron.
The generalized parton distribution H and E of the 3He nucleus, which could be measured in hard exclusive processes, such as coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering, are thoroughly analyzed in impulse approximation, within the Av18 interaction. It
is found that their sum is dominated to a large extent by the neutron contribution: The peculiar spin structure of 3He makes this target unique for the extraction of the neutron information. This observation could allow to access for the first time, in dedicated experiments, the orbital angular momentum of the partons in the neutron.
The eta-photon transition form factor is evaluated in a formalism based on a phenomenological description at low values of the photon virtuality, and a QCD-based description at high photon virtualities, matching at a scale $Q_{0}^{2}$. The high photo
n virtuality description makes use of a Distribution Amplitude calculated in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with Pauli-Villars regularization at the matching scale $Q_{0}^{2}$, and QCD evolution from $Q_{0}^{2}$ to higher values of $Q^{2}$. A good description of the available data is obtained. The analysis indicates that the recent data from the BaBar collaboration on pion and eta transition form factor can be well reproduced, if a small contribution of twist three at the matching scale $Q_{0}^{2}$ is included.
The measurement of nuclear Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) represents a valuable tool to understand the structure of bound nucleons and the phenomenology of hard scattering off nuclei. By using a realistic, non-relativistic microscopic approa
ch for the evaluation of GPDs of 3He, it will be shown that conventional nuclear effects, such as isospin and binding ones, or the uncertainty related to the use of a given nucleon-nucleon potential, are bigger than in the forward case so that, if great attention is not paid, conventional nuclear effects can be easily mistaken for exotic ones. It is stressed that 3He, for which the best realistic calculations are possible, represents a unique target to discriminate between conventional and exotic effects. The complementary information which could be obtained by using a 3H target, the possible extraction of the neutron information, as well as the relevance of a relativistic treatment, will be also addressed.
The measurement of nuclear Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) will represent a valuable tool to understand the structure of bound nucleons in the nuclear medium, as well as the role of non-nucleonic degrees of freedom in the phenomenology of har
d scattering off nuclei. By using a realistic microscopic approach for the evaluation of GPDs of 3He, it will be shown that conventional nuclear effects, such as isospin and binding ones, or the uncertainty related to the use of a given nucleon-nucleon potential, are rather bigger than in the forward case. These findings suggest that, if great attention is not paid to infer the properties of nuclear GPDs from those of nuclear parton distributions, conventional nuclear effects can be easily mistaken for exotic ones. It is stressed therefore that 3He, for which the best realistic calculations are possible, represents a unique target to discriminate between conventional and exotic effects. The complementary information which could be obtained by using a 3H target is also addressed.
A calculation of nuclear effects in the extraction of neutron single spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering off 3He is described. In the kinematics of forth-coming experiments at JLab, it is found that the nuclear effects arisin
g within an Impulse Approximation approach are under control.
