We analyze the structure of generalized off-diagonal and transverse-momentum dependent quark-quark and gluon-gluon correlators for a spin-1/2 hadron. Using the light-front formalism, we provide a parametrization in terms of the parton generalized tra
nsverse-momentum dependent distributions that emphasizes the multipole structure of the correlator. The results for the quark-quark correlation functions are consistent with an alternative parametrization given in terms of Lorentz covariant structures. The parametrization for the gluon-gluon generalized correlator is presented for the first time and allows one to introduce new correlation functions which can be relevant for phenomenological applications.
We review recent developments in the theoretical investigation of the nucleon polarizabilities. We first report on the static polarizabilities as measured in real Compton scattering, comparing and interpreting the results from various theoretical app
roaches. In a second step, we extend the discussion to the generalized polarizabilities which can be accessed in virtual Compton scattering, showing how the information encoded in these quantities can provide a spatial interpretation of the induced polarization densities in the nucleon.
We review the information on the spin and orbital angular momentum structure of the nucleon encoded in the T-even transverse momentum dependent parton distributions within light-cone quark models. Model results for azimuthal spin asymmetries in semi-
inclusive lepton-nucleon deep-inelastic scattering are discussed, showing a good agreement with available experimental data and providing predictions to be further tested by future CLAS, COMPASS and HERMES data.
We reply to the Comment by Filkov and Kashevarov, arXiv:0805.4486 [hep-ph]. We show that the discrepancies between ChPT and dispersion theory, reported for the polarizability of the pion, result from applying dispersion theory to non-analytic functions.
Recent attempts to determine the pion polarizability by dispersion relations yield values that disagree with the predictions of chiral perturbation theory. These dispersion relations are based on specific forms for the absorptive part of the Compton
amplitudes. The analytic properties of these forms are examined, and the strong enhancement of intermediate-meson contributions is shown to be connected to non-analytic structures
The main properties of the leading-twist transverse momentum dependent parton distributions in a light-cone constituent quark model of the nucleon are reviewed, with focus on the role of the spin-spin and spin-orbit correlations of quarks. Results fo
r azimuthal single spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering are also discussed.
Recent attempts to determine the pion polarizability by dispersion relations yield values that disagree with the predictions of chiral perturbation theory. These dispersion relations are based on specific forms for the absorptive part of the Compton
amplitudes. The analytic properties of these forms are examined, and the strong enhancement of intermediate-meson contributions is shown to be connected with spurious singularities. If the basic requirements of dispersion relations are taken into account, the results of dispersion theory and effective field theory are not inconsistent.
