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 propose and discuss a new approach to the analysis of the correlation functions which contain light-like Wilson lines or loops, the latter being cusped in addition. The objects of interest are therefore the light-like Wilson null-polygons, the sof
t factors of the parton distribution and fragmentation functions, high-energy scattering amplitudes in the eikonal approximation, gravitational Wilson lines, etc. Our method is based on a generalization of the universal quantum dynamical principle by J. Schwinger and allows one to take care of extra singularities emerging due to light-like or semi-light-like cusps. We show that such Wilson loops obey a differential equation which connects the area variations and renormalization group behavior of those objects and discuss the possible relation between geometrical structure of the loop space and area evolution of the light-like cusped Wilson loops.
We address a connection between the energy evolution of the polygonal light-like Wilson exponentials and the geometry of the loop space with the gauge invariant Wilson loops of a variety of shapes being the fundamental degrees of freedom. The renorma
lization properties and the differential area evolution of these Wilson polygons are studied by making use of the universal Schwinger quantum dynamical approach. We discuss the appropriateness of the dynamical differential equations in the loop space to the study of the energy evolution of the collinear and transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions.
We discuss the possible relation between certain geometrical properties of the loop space and energy evolution of the cusped Wilson exponentials defined on the light-cone. Analysis of the area differential equations for this special class of the Wils
on loops calls for careful treatment of the ultraviolet and rapidity divergences which make those loops non-multiplicatively-renormalizable. We propose to consider the renormalization properties of the light-cone cusped Wilson loops from the point of view of the universal quantum dynamical approach introduced by Schwinger. We conjecture and discuss the relevance of the Makeenko-Migdal loop equations supplied with the modified Schwinger principle to the energy evolution of some phenomenologically significant objects, such as transverse-momentum dependent distribution functions, collinear parton densities at large-$x$, etc.
We consider the problems of gauge invariance, path-dependence and treatment of overlapping UV/rapidity divergences peculiar to the transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). For different formulations of the TMDs available in
the literature, we check the consistency of the TMD matrix elements with the collinear parton distribution functions possessing the well-known operator structure. Comparative on- and off-light-cone layout of the Wilson lines which secure the gauge-invariance of the TMDs is presented and briefly discussed.
We discuss the possibility of non-minimal gauge invariance of transverse-momentum-dependent parton densities (TMDs) that allows direct access to the spin degrees of freedom of fermion fields entering the operator definition of (quark) TMDs. This is a
chieved via enhanced Wilson lines that are supplied with the spin-dependent Pauli term $sim F^{mu u}[gamma_mu, gamma_ u]$, thus providing an appropriate tool for the microscopic investigation of the spin and color structure of TMDs. We show that this generalization leaves the leading-twist TMD properties unchanged but modifies those of twist three by contributing to their anomalous dimensions. We also comment on Collins recent criticism of our approach.
