In using transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) parton densities and fragmentation functions, important non-perturbative information is at large transverse position $b_T$. This concerns both the TMD functions and their evolution. Fits to high energy dat
a tend to predict too rapid evolution when extrapolated to low energies where larger values of $b_T$ dominate. I summarize a new analysis of the issues. It results in a proposal for much weaker $b_T$ dependence at large $b_T$ for the evolution kernel, while preserving the accuracy of the existing fits. The results are particularly important for using transverse-spin-dependent functions like the Sivers function.
There is considerable controversy about the size and importance of nonperturbative contributions to the evolution of transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions. Standard fits to relatively high-energy Drell-Yan data give evolut
ion that when taken to lower Q is too rapid to be consistent with recent data in semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering. Some authors provide very different forms for TMD evolution, even arguing that nonperturbative contributions at large transverse distance b_T are not needed or are irrelevant. Here, we systematically analyze the issues, both perturbative and nonperturbative. We make a motivated proposal for the parameterization of the nonperturbative part of the TMD evolution kernel that could give consistency: with the variety of apparently conflicting data, with theoretical perturbative calculations where they are applicable, and with general theoretical nonperturbative constraints on correlation functions at large distances. We propose and use a scheme- and scale-independent function A(b_T) that gives a tool to compare and diagnose different proposals for TMD evolution. We also advocate for phenomenological studies of A(b_T) as a probe of TMD evolution. The results are important generally for applications of TMD factorization. In particular, they are important to making predictions for proposed polarized Drell-Yan experiments to measure the Sivers function.
Many apparently contradictory approaches to TMD factorization and its non-perturbative content exist. This talk evaluated the different methods and proposed tools for resolving the contradictions and experimentally adjudicating the results.
Fundamental to much work in small-x QCD is a k_T-factorization formula. Normal expectations in theoretical physics are that when such a result is used, citations should be given to where the formula is justified. We demonstrate by examining the chain
s of citations back from current work that violations of this expectation are widespread, to the extent that following the citation chains, we do not find a proof or other justification of the formula. This shows a substantial deficit in the reproducibility of a phenomenologically important area of research. Since the published formulae differ in normalization, we test them by making a derivation in a simple model that obeys the assumptions that are stated in the literature to be the basis of k_T-factorization in the small-$x$ regime. We find that we disagree with two of the standard normalizations.
