Search

We discuss duality in ``two-photon''-like processes in the scalar $\varphi^3_E$ model and also in the process $\gamma^*\gamma\to\pi\pi$ in QCD. Duality implies the equivalence between two distinct nonperturbative mechanisms. These two mechanisms, one involving a twist-3 Generalized Distribution Amplitude, the other employing a leading-twist Transition Distribution Amplitude, are associated with different regimes of factorization. In the kinematical region, where the two mechanisms overlap, duality is observed for the scalar $\varphi^3_E$ model, while in the QCD case the appearance of duality turns out to be sensitive to the particular nonperturbative model applied and can, therefore, be used as a tool for selecting the most appropriate one., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Talk given at Conference PHOTON-09, DESY, Hamburg, May 11-15, 2009

The transition pion-photon form factor is studied within the framework of Light-Cone QCD Sum Rules. The spectral density for the next-to-leading order corrections is calculated for any Gegenbauer harmonic. At the level of the next-to-next-to-leading (NNLO) radiative corrections, only that part of the hard-scattering amplitude is included that is proportional to the $\beta$-function, taking into account the leading zeroth-order harmonic. The relative size of the NNLO contribution in the prediction for the form factor $F^{\gamma^{*}\gamma\pi}(Q^2)$ has been analyzed, making use of the BLM scale-setting procedure. In addition, predictions for the form factor $F^{\gamma^{*}\rho\pi}$ are obtained that turn out to be sensitive to the endpoint behavior of the pion distribution amplitude, thus providing in connection with experimental data an additional adjudicator for the pion distribution amplitude. In a note added, we comment on the preliminary high-$Q^2$ BaBar data on $F^{\gamma^{*}\gamma\pi}$ arguing that the significant growth of the form factor between 10 and 40 GeV$^2$ cannot be explained in terms of higher-order perturbative corrections at the NNLO., Comment: 36 pages, 8 figures, 1 table. v2 new entry in Table I with reference added and replaced Fig. 6. v3 extended discussion of BaBar data (added 1 figure and references). v4 double reference removed; matches version published in Nucl. Phys. B. v5 corrected Ref. [62]; v6 corrects several errors (all boldfaced) and extended acknowledgments

We present results of a calculation of the electromagnetic pion form factor within the framework of QCD Sum Rules with nonlocal condensates, using a perturbative spectral density which includes $O(\alpha_s)$ contributions., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, talk presented by the first author at the International Meeting "Excited QCD", February 8--14, 2009, Zakopane (Poland), typos and references corrected

The renormalization-group properties of transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions in the light-cone gauge with the Mandelstam-Leibbrandt prescription for the gluon propagator are addressed. An expression for the transverse component of the gauge field at light-cone infinity, which plays a crucial role in the description of the final-/initial-state interactions in the light-cone axial gauge, is obtained. The leading-order anomalous dimension is calculated in this gauge and the relation to the results obtained in other gauges is worked out. It is shown that, using the Mandelstam-Leibbrandt prescription, the ensuing anomalous dimension does not receive contributions from extra rapidity divergences related to a cusped junction point of the Wilson lines., Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures. v2 15 pages, text expanded, 2 figures added, typos removed. v3 some remarks added in conclusions; matches version to be published in PRD

We present a detailed investigation of the spacelike pion's electromagnetic form factor using three-point QCD sum rules that exclusively involve nonlocal condensates. Our main methodological tools are a spectral density which includes $O(\alpha_s)$ corrections, a suitably improved Gaussian ansatz to model the distribution of the average momentum of quarks in the QCD vacuum, and a perturbative scheme that avoids Landau singularities. Using this framework, we obtain predictions for the pion form factor together with error estimates originating from intrinsic theoretical uncertainties owing to the perturbative expansion and the nonperturbative method applied. We also discuss our results in comparison with other calculations, in particular, with those following from the AdS/QCD correspondence. We find good agreement of our predictions with measurements in the range of momenta covered by the existing experimental data between 1-10 GeV$^2$., Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables. v2 Fig. 7 and Ref. [17] corrected. v3 minor typos corrected; matches version published in Phys. Rev. D79 (2009) 093010

We present results of a calculation of the electromagnetic pion form factor within a framework of QCD Sum Rules with nonlocal condensates and using a perturbative spectral density which includes \mathcal{O}(\alpha_s) contributions., Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures (embedded). Talk presented by the second author at the Workshop on Physics of Fundamental Interactions, Institute of High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia, 22--25 December 2008

The aim of this topical article is to outline the fundamental ideas underlying the recently developed Fractional Analytic Perturbation Theory (FAPT) of QCD and present its main calculational tools together with key applications. For this, it is first necessary to review previous methods to apply QCD perturbation theory at low spacelike momentum scales, where the influence of the Landau singularities becomes inevitable. Several concepts are considered and their limitations are pointed out. The usefulness of FAPT is discussed in terms of two characteristic hadronic quantities: the perturbatively calculable part of the pion's electromagnetic form factor in the spacelike region and the Higgs-boson decay into a $b\bar b$ pair in the timelike region. In the first case, the focus is on the optimization of the prediction with respect to the choice of the renormalization scheme and the dependence on the renormalization and the factorization scales. The second case serves to show that the application of FAPT to this reaction reaches already at the four-loop level an accuracy of the order of 1%, avoiding difficulties inherent in the standard perturbative expansion. The obtained results are compared with estimates from fixed-order and contour-improved QCD perturbation theory. Using the brand-new Higgs mass value of about 125 GeV, measured at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN), a prediction for $\Gamma_{H\to b\bar{b}}=2.4 \pm 0.15 {\rm MeV}$ is extracted., Comment: v3: 23 pages, 7 figures, Invited topical article published in Particles and Nuclei with update using the CERN Higgs discovery. Abridged version presented as plenary talk at International Conference on Renormalization Group and Related Topics (RG 2008), Dubna, Russia, September 1 - 5, 2008. v4 typo in Eq. (3) corrected

We present some recently obtained results on transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMD PDFs), the latter being important ingredients for the description of semi-inclusive hadronic processes. Special attention is payed to the renormalization group (RG) properties of these objects. In particular, their leading-order anomalous dimension is calculated in the light-cone gauge. It is shown that the RG properties can be used to reveal, in the most economic way, the general structure of the gauge links entering the operator definition of TMD PDFs., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure. Talk presented at XIX International Baldin Seminar on High Energy Physics Problems "Relativistic Nuclear Physics and Quantum Chromodynamics", Dubna, Russia, 29 Sept - 4 Oct 2008

We find that in "two-photon"-like processes in the scalar $\varphi^3_E$ model and also in hadron-pair production arising from the collisions of a real (transversely polarized) and a highly virtual, longitudinally polarized, photon in QCD, there is duality between two distinct nonperturbative mechanisms. These two mechanisms, one involving a twist-3 Generalized Distribution Amplitude, the other employing a leading-twist Transition Distribution Amplitude, are associated with different regimes of factorization. In the kinematical region, where the two mechanisms overlap, duality is observed for the scalar $\varphi^3_E$ model, while in the QCD case the appearance of duality turns out to be sensitive to the particular nonperturbative model applied and can, therefore, be used as a tool for selecting the most appropriate one., Comment: Talk presented at XIX International Baldin Seminar on High Energy Physics Problems "Relativistic Nuclear Physics and Quantum Chromodynamics", Dubna, Russia, September 29 to October 4, 2008

The UV divergences associated with transverse-momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions (PDF) are calculated together with the ensuing one-loop anomalous dimensions in the light-cone gauge. Time-reversal-odd effects in the anomalous dimensions are observed and the role of Glauber gluons is discussed. A generalized renormalization procedure of TMD PDFs is proposed, relying upon the renormalization of contour-dependent operators with obstructions., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Talk presented at the International Workshop on Diffraction in High Energy and Nuclear Physics, La Londe-les-Maures, France, 9-14 Sept 2008. v2: 5 pages, preprint number and e-mail addresses added

This paper is the write-up version of the theory summary talk given at the HSQCD 2008 Workshop in Gatchina, Russia. Recent theoretical developments and results are summarized focusing on works that point out new perspectives, ranging from perturbative QCD, DGLAP and ERBL evolution, polarized and unpolarized parton distribution functions, small-x physics to nonperturbative QCD, lattice simulations, quark-gluon matter, hadron spectroscopy, and predictions for the LHC., Comment: v1: 23 pages; uses hsqcd.cls (included). Theory Summary talk of International Workshop "Hadron Structure and QCD" (HSQCD'2008), June 30 - July 4, 2008, Gatchina, Russia; v2: one reference added

We discuss the renormalization of gauge-invariant transverse-momentum dependent (TMD), i.e., unintegrated, parton distribution functions (PDFs) and carry out the calculation of their anomalous dimension at one loop. We show that in the light-cone gauge, TMD PDFs contain UV divergences that may be attributed to the renormalization effect on a cusp-like junction point of the gauge contours at infinity. In order to eliminate the anomalous dimension ensuing from this cusp, we propose to use in the definition of the TMD PDFs, a soft counter term in terms of a path-ordered phase factor along a particular cusped contour extending to transverse light-cone infinity and comprising light-like and transverse segments. We argue that this additional factor is analogous to the "intrinsic" Coulomb phase factor found before in QED., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, invited plenary talk given by the first author at XIII International Conference on Selected Problems of Modern Theoretical Physics, Dubna, Russia, June 23-27, 2008

The renormalization properties of unintegrated (transverse-momentum dependent) parton distribution functions (TMD PDF's) are used for analyzing their completely gauge-invariant definition. To this end, the UV anomalous dimension is calculated at the one-loop order in the light-cone gauge and a consistent treatment of the extra singularities, which produce undesirable contributions in the anomalous dimensions, is given. The generalized definition of a TMD PDF, based on the renormalization procedure for the Wilson exponentials with obstructions, is proposed. The reduction of the re-defined TMD PDF to the integrated PDF's, as well as their probabilistic interpretation, are discussed., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures. Talk presented by the first author at 15th International Seminar on High Energy Physics QUARKS-2008, Sergiev Posad, Russia, 23-29 May, 2008. v2: typo in the Eq. (20) corrected

We discuss recent developments in the understanding of gauge-invariant transverse-momentum dependent (TMD) parton-distribution functions (PDF). We compute the leading-order $\overline{\text{MS}\vphantom{^1}}$-scheme anomalous dimension of such a quantity in the light-cone gauge and show that it receives a contribution that can be associated with a cusp obstruction at transverse light-cone infinity. This anomalous dimension is intimately related to expectation values composed of fields and eikonal factors along a cusped contour and is absent in covariant gauges. The implications of these findings are addressed and a modified definition of TMD PDFs is proposed., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures. Invited talk presented by the first author at International Workshop "Hadron Structure and QCD" (HSQCD'2008), June 30 - July 4, 2008, Gatchina, Russia (hsqcd.cls supplied)

We study the phenomenon of duality in hard exclusive reactions to which QCD factorization applies. Considering "two-photon"-like processes in the scalar $\phi^3_E$ model and also hadron-pair production from the collisions of a real (transversely polarized) and a highly virtual, longitudinally polarized, photon in QCD, we identify two regimes of factorization each of them associated with a distinct nonperturbative mechanism. One mechanism involves twist-3 Generalized Distribution Amplitudes, whereas the other one employs leading-twist Transition Distribution Amplitudes. In the case of the scalar $\phi^3_E$ model, we find duality in that kinematical region where the two mechanisms overlap. In the QCD case, the appearance of duality is sensitive to the particular nonperturbative model applied and can, therefore, be used as an additional adjudicator., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Substantial changes in the text, 4 figures added, 1 removed; no changes in conclusions

This talk presents issues pertaining to the quark structure of the pion within QCD, both from the theoretical and from the experimental point of view. We review and discuss the pion-photon transition form factor and the pion's electromagnetic form factor vs. corresponding experimental data from the CLEO Collaboration and the JLab. We also examine the extent to which recent high-precision lattice computations of the second moment of the pion's distribution amplitude conform with theoretical models. Finally, we include predictions for the azimuthal asymmetry of the $\mu^+$ distribution in the polarized $\mu$-pair-induced DY production employing various pion distribution amplitudes., Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Talk presented at International Workshop on e^+e^- collisions from Phi to Psi, Frascati, Italy, 7-10 April 2008. V2 is an exclusive HEP version which includes predictions from AdS/QCD. V3: typo in title corrected

A theoretical framework is presented to treat hadronic observables within analytic perturbative QCD beyond the leading order of the coupling and for more than one single large momentum scale. The approach generalizes and extends the pioneering work of Shirkov and Solovtsov on an analytic strong running coupling. Some applications to hadronic observables at the partonic level are also discussed., Comment: 16 pages, 1 table, 3 figures with 7 eps files embedded; needs ils2008.sty (supplied). Invited contribution in memory of I. L. Solovtsov at Seminar in Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, JINR, 141980 Dubna, Russia, Jan. 17, 2008. v2: Equations (11) and (34) corrected. Figure 3 replaced

The renormalization-group properties of gauge-invariant transverse-momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions (PDF) in QCD are addressed. We perform an analysis of their leading-order anomalous dimensions, which are local quantities, making use of the renormalization properties of contour-dependent composite operators in QCD. We argue that attaching individual gauge links with transverse segments to quark fields in the light-cone gauge, the associated gauge contours are joined at light-cone infinity through a cusp-like junction point. We find that the renormalization effect on the junction point creates an anomalous dimension which has to be compensated in order to recover the results in a covariant gauge. To this end, we include in the definition of the TMD PDF an additional soft counter term (gauge link) along that cusped contour. We show that the eikonal factors entering this counter term are peculiar to the Mandelstam field formalism and are absent when one uses a direct gauge contour., Comment: v1: 33 pages, 10 figures with 11 eps files embedded; v2: typos corrected, some remarks on Mandelstam-Leibbrandt prescription included; references updated; matches version to appear in Nucl. Phys. B

A range of issues pertaining to the use of Wilson lines in integrated and transverse-momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions (PDF) is discussed. The relation between gauge invariance and the renormalization properties of the Wilson-line integrals is given particular attention. Using an anomalous-dimensions based analysis in the light-cone gauge, a generalized definition of the TMD PDFs is proposed, which employs a cusped Wilson line, and contains an intrinsic "Coulomb-like" phase., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Invited talk presented by the first author at the XII Advanced Research Workshop on High Energy Spin Physics (DSPIN-07), September 3-7, 2007, Dubna, Russia

We describe the present status of the pion distribution amplitude (DA) as it originates from several sources: (i) a nonperturbative approach based on QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates, (ii) an $O(\alpha_s)$ QCD analysis of the CLEO data on F^{\gamma\gamma^*\pi}(Q^2) with asymptotic and renormalon models for higher twists, and (iii) recent high-precision lattice QCD calculations of the second moment of the pion DA. We show predictions for the pion electromagnetic form factor, obtained in analytic QCD perturbation theory, and compare it with the JLab data on F_{\pi}(Q^2). We also discuss in this context an improved model for nonlocal condensates in QCD and show its consequences for the pion DA and the \gamma\gamma^*\to\pi transition form factor. We include a brief analysis of meson-induced massive lepton (muon) Drell--Yan production for the process \pi^{-}N\to\mu^{+}\mu^{-}X, considering both an unpolarized nucleon target and longitudinally polarized protons., Comment: Invited plenary talk presented by the first author at ``Hadron Structure '07'' International Conference, Modra-Harm{\'o}nia, Slovakia, Sept. 2--7, 2007. 14 pages, 10 figures

We perform an analysis of transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions, making use of their renormalization properties in terms of their leading-order anomalous dimensions. We show that the appropriate Wilson line in the light-cone gauge, associated with such quantities, is a cusped one. To cancel the ensuing cusp anomalous dimension, we include in the definition of the transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions an additional soft counter term (gauge link) along that contour. We demonstrate that this is tantamount to an ``intrinsic (Coulomb) phase'', which accumulates the full gauge history of the color-charged particle., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures embedded. v2: derivation of transverse gauge link added including one more figure. Text expanded to 6 pages. Four references added. Conclusions unchanged. Matches version to appear in PRD

We present a detailed analysis of meson-induced massive lepton (muon) Drell--Yan production for the process $\pi^{-}N\to\mu^{+}\mu^{-}X$, considering both an unpolarized nucleon target and longitudinally polarized protons. Using a QCD framework, we focus on the angular distribution of $\mu^+$, which is sensitive to the shape of the pion distribution amplitude, the goal being to test corresponding results against available experimental data. Predictions are made, employing various pion distribution amplitudes, for the azimuthal angle dependence of the $\mu^{+}$ distribution in the polarized case, relevant for the planned COMPASS experiment. QCD evolution is given particular attention in both considered cases., Comment: V1: 18 pages, 10 figures (48 eps files), 2 tables. V2: one wrong reference removed, missing reference in text inserted; matches version to appear in Phys. Rev. D

We work out and discuss the Minkowski version of Fractional Analytic Perturbation Theory (FAPT) for QCD observables, recently developed and presented by us for the Euclidean region. The original analytic approach to QCD, initiated by Shirkov and Solovtsov, is summarized and relations to other proposals to achieve an analytic strong coupling are pointed out. The developed framework is applied to the Higgs boson decay into a b\bar{b} pair, using recent results for the massless correlator of two quark scalar currents in the \bar{MS} scheme. We present calculations for the decay width within MFAPT including those non-power-series contributions that correspond to the O(\alpha_{s}^{3})-terms, taking also into account evolution effects of the running coupling and the b-quark-mass renormalization. Comparisons with previous results within standard QCD perturbation theory are performed and the differences are pointed out. The interplay between effects originating from the analyticity requirement and the analytic continuation from the spacelike to the timelike region and those due to the evolution of the heavy-quark mass is addressed, highlighting the differences to the conventional QCD perturbation theory., Comment: v2:29 pages, 1 Table, 8 figures embedded as eps files, corrected minor typos. v3: 34 pages, 1 Table added, Figure 7 changed; considerably expanded and revised. Matches version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D; v4 some typos in the text and in Eq. (4.22) corrected, as in the publication; DOI supplied. v5: incorporates Erratum

Different ``analytization'' procedures for the factorized pion form factor are discussed in comparison with the standard QCD perturbation theory at NLO. It is argued that demanding the analyticity of the exclusive amplitude as a \emph{whole}, entails insensitivity of the results on all scheme and scale-setting parameters, including the factorization scale. This enables us to develop an approach of optimized perturbation theory within the MS-bar scheme and to generalize the Analytic Perturbation Theory to non-integer (fractional) powers of the strong running coupling in the complex Q^2 plane, Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, needs hsqcd.cls. Invited plenary talk presented by the first author at Hadron Structure and QCD: from Low to High Energies, St. Petersburg, Russia, 20-24 September 2005

We combine the constraints on the pion quark structure available from perturbative QCD, nonperturbative QCD (nonlocal QCD sum rules and light cone sum rules) with the analysis of current data on F_{\pi\gamma\gamma^*}(Q^2), including recent high-precision lattice calculations of the second moment of the pion's distribution amplitude. We supplement these constraints with those extracted from the renormalon approach by means of the twist-four contributions to the pion distribution amplitude in order to further increase stability with respect to related theoretical uncertainties. We show which regions in the space of the first two non-trivial Gegenbauer coefficients a_2 and a_4 of all these constraints overlap, tagging this way the pion structure to the highest degree possible at present., Comment: V1: 6 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. V2: Two references added with corresponding insertions in the text. Matches version published in PRD

I elaborate on the implementation of analyticity of hadronic quantities at the amplitude level and show that it amounts to the extension of Analytic Perturbation Theory of Shirkov and Solovtsov to non-integer (fractional) powers of the strong running coupling. I give evidence that at the NLO of the factorized pion's electromagnetic form factor this framework diminishes the uncertainty due to the renormalization-scheme choice and nearly removes the dependence on both the renormalization and the factorization scale. I supplement this discussion by considering effects caused by retaining transverse momenta that give rise to Sudakov factors., Comment: Invited talk at the XI Workshop on High Energy Spin Physics, Dubna, Russia, September 27 - October 1, 2005; 5 pages, 3 figures as eps files embedded, needs wrapfig

We propose a new generalized version of the QCD Analytic Perturbation Theory of Shirkov and Solovtsov for the computation of higher-order corrections in inclusive and exclusive processes. We construct non-power series expansions for the analytic images of the running coupling and its powers for any fractional (real) power and complete the linear space of these solutions by constructing the index derivative. Using the Laplace transformation in conjunction with dispersion relations, we are able to derive at the one-loop order closed-form expressions for the analytic images in terms of the Lerch function. At the two-loop order we provide approximate analytic images of products of powers of the running coupling and logarithms--typical in higher-order perturbative calculations and when including evolution effects. Moreover, we supply explicit expressions for the two-loop analytic coupling and the analytic images of its powers in terms of one-loop quantities that can strongly simplify two-loop calculations. We also show how to resum powers of the running coupling while maintaining analyticity, a procedure that captures the generic features of Sudakov resummation. The algorithmic rules to obtain analytic coupling expressions within the proposed Fractional Analytic Perturbation Theory from the standard QCD power-series expansion are supplied ready for phenomenological applications and numerical comparisons are given for illustration., Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures (figure 4a corrected), Eq.(B13) corrected; incorporates Erratum sent to PRD. See also hep-ph/0504275

The removal of unphysical singularities in the perturbatively calculable part of the pion form factor--a classic example of a three-point function in QCD--is discussed. Different ``analytization'' procedures in the sense of Shirkov and Solovtsov re examined in comparison with standard QCD perturbation theory. We show that demanding the analyticity of the partonic amplitude as a \emph{whole}, as proposed before by Karanikas and Stefanis, one can make infrared finite not only the strong running coupling and its powers, but also cure potentially large logarithms (that first appear at next-to-leading order) containing the factorization scale and modifying the discontinuity across the cut along the negative real axis. The scheme used here generalizes the Analytic Perturbation Theory of Shirkov and Solovtsov to non-integer powers of the strong coupling and diminishes the dependence of QCD hadronic quantities on all perturbative scheme and scale-setting parameters, including the factorization scale., Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures as eps files embedded. Version matching published version in PRD. See also hep-ph/0506311

We discuss the two-loop evolution of the flavor-nonsinglet meson distribution amplitude in perturbative QCD. After reviewing previous two-loop computations, we outline the incompatibility of these solutions with the group property of the renormalization-group transformations. To cure this deficiency, we compute a correction factor for the non-diagonal part of the meson evolution equation and prove that with this modification the two-loop solution conforms with the group properties of the renormalization-group transformations. The special case of a fixed strong coupling (no Q^2 dependence) is also discussed and comparison is given to previously obtained results., Comment: 23 pages, 9 figures, Revtex4 class. Discussion of relation to conformal symmetry enlarged and references added. Matches version to be published in Nucl. Phys. B

I present results for the pion's electromagnetic form factor in the spacelike region, which implement the most advanced perturbative information currently available for this observable in conjunction with a pion distribution amplitude that agrees with the CLEO data on the pion-photon transition form factor at the $1\sigma$ level. I show that using for the running strong coupling and its powers their analytic versions in the sense of Shirkov and Solovtsov, the obtained predictions become insensitive to the renormalization scheme and scale setting adopted. Joining the hard contribution with the soft part on account of local duality and respecting the Ward identity at $Q^2=0$, the agreement with the available experimental data, including expectations from planned experiments at JLab, is remarkable both in trend and magnitude. I also comment on Sudakov resummation within the analytic approach., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures embedded; uses espcrc2.tex. Invited talk presented at QCD04, 5-9 July 2004, Montpellier, France

Recent developments in the QCD description of the pion structure are reviewed. The CLEO pion-photon transition data analysis favors a distribution amplitude for the pion that is double-humped but endpoint-suppressed. After a short outline of the derivation of this amplitude from QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates, we present the fully fledged analysis of the CLEO data prefaced by predictions for the $F^{\gamma\rho\pi}$ form factor and commenting on the inherent theoretical uncertainties due to higher twists and NNLO perturbative corrections. We supplement our discussion by considering within QCD factorization theory, the electromagnetic pion form factor at NLO accuracy on one hand, and diffractive di-jets production on the other, comparing our predictions with the respective experimental data from JLab and the Fermilab E791 collaboration. In all cases, the agreement is impressive., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures consisting of 8 eps files. Contribution to the Festschrift on the occasion of Klaus Goeke's 60th birthday, to appear in Annalen der Physik

We analyze power-suppressed contributions to singlet pseudoscalar $\eta$ and $\eta^{\prime}$ meson transition form factors. These corrections stem from endpoint singularities and help improve the agreement between QCD theory and the experimental data, in particular, at low-momentum transfers. Using the CLEO data, we extract information on the profile of the $\eta_1$ and $\eta_8$ distribution amplitudes in the $SU(3)_{F}$ octet-singlet basis employing both the one-angle and the two-angle mixing schemes. In the former scheme, we find good agreement with the CLEO data, while in the second case, our approach requires non-asymptotic profiles for these mesons., Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures consisting of 9 eps files. Needs here.sty. Typo in $beta_1$ corrected. Invited plenary talk presented by the first author at Second Symposium on Threshold Meson Production in pp and pd Interactions. Extended COSY-11 collaboration meeting. Collegium Maius, Cracow, Poland, May 31-June 3, 2004

A pion distribution amplitude, derived from nonlocal QCD sum rules, has been employed to calculate $F_{\gamma^*\gamma\to\pi}(Q^2)$ using light-cone sum rules, and $F_{\pi}(Q^2)$ in NLO QCD perturbation theory. Predictions are presented for both observables and found to be in good agreement with the corresponding data. Calculating the hard pion form factor by Analytic Perturbation Theory to two-loop order, it is shown that the renormalization-scheme and scale-setting dependencies are diminished., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures consisting of 6 eps files. Needs hsqcd.cls. Invited plenary talk presented by the first author at Hadron Structure and QCD: from Low to High Energies, St. Petersburg, Repino, Russia, 18-22 May 2004

We present an investigation of the pion's electromagnetic form factor F_{\pi}(Q^2) in the spacelike region utilizing two new ingredients: (i) a double-humped, endpoint-suppressed pion distribution amplitude derived before via QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates--found to comply at the 1\sigma level with the CLEO data on the $\pi\gamma$ transition--and (ii) analytic perturbation theory at the level of parton amplitudes for hadronic reactions. The computation of F_{\pi}(Q^2) within this approach is performed at NLO of QCD perturbation theory (standard and analytic), including the evolution of the pion distribution amplitude at the same order. We consider the NLO corrections to the form factor in the \bar{MS} scheme with various renormalization scale settings and also in the \alpha_V-scheme. We find that using standard perturbation theory, the size of the NLO corrections is quite sensitive to the adopted renormalization scheme and scale setting. The main results of our analysis are the following: (i) Replacing the QCD coupling and its powers by their analytic images, both dependencies are diminished and the predictions for the pion form factor are quasi scheme and scale-setting independent. (ii) The magnitude of the factorized pion form factor, calculated with the aforementioned pion distribution amplitude, is only slightly larger than the result obtained with the asymptotic one in all considered schemes. (iii) Including the soft pion form factor via local duality and ensuring the Ward identity at Q^2=0, we present predictions that are in remarkably good agreement with the existing experimental data both in trend and magnitude., Comment: RevTex, 51 pages, 17 figures as 19 EPS files, embedded. Fig. 16(b) modified to show hard and soft form factors separately, Table I expanded; some references added. No changes of content. Paper to appear in PRD

In the context of QCD sum rules with non-local condensates we present a pion distribution amplitude, which is double-humped with its end-points x\to(0,1) strongly suppressed, and show that it matches the CLEO experimental data on the pion-photon transition at the 1\sigma level accuracy, being also in compliance with the CELLO data. We also include some comments on the nucleon distribution amplitude and the nucleon evolution equation., Comment: Invited contribution to the Festschrift in honor of Prof. Anatoly Efremov's 70th birthday; 8 pages, 4 figures as eps-files (wrapfig.sty needed)

Using QCD perturbation theory in NLO and light-cone QCD sum rules, we extract from the CLEO experimental data on the F^{\gamma^*\gamma\pi}(Q^{2} transition form factor constraints on the Gegenbauer coefficients a_2 and a_4, as well as on the inverse moment _{\pi} of the pion distribution amplitude. We show that both the asymptotic and the Chernyak--Zhitnitsky pion distribution amplitudes are excluded at the 3\sigma- and 4\sigma-level, respectively, while the data confirms the end-point suppressed shape of the pion DA we previously obtained with QCD sum rules and nonlocal condensates. These findings are also supported by the data of the Fermilab E791 experiment on diffractive dijet production., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures. Talk given at NAPP2003, Dubrovnik, May 26--31, 2003; misprints fixed

We discuss the status of the pion distribution amplitude (DA) from analyzing the CLEO experimental data in the context of QCD sum-rule techniques and QCD perturbation theory at the NLO accuracy. The constraints extracted this way for the Gegenbauer coefficients a_2 and a_4 exclude \Phi_{CZ} at the 4\sigma level, while \Phi_{asy} is outside the 3\sigma error ellipse. These data provide strong support for the type of endpoint-suppressed, double-humped pion DA we derived via QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates and favor a value of the vacuum quark virtuality \lambda_q^2 \simeq 0.4 GeV^2. This pion DA is in agreement with the E791 data, though these experimental results should be viewed carefully and further confirmation is necessary for a more accurate judging of pion DAs from them., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, cernrep class. Talk presented at the LC03 Workshop "Hadrons and beyond"

We compute power-suppressed corrections to the \eta\gamma and \eta^{\prime}\gamma transition form factors Q^2F_{\eta(\eta^{\prime})\gamma}(Q^2) arising from the end point regions x \to 0,1 by employing the infrared-renormalon approach. The contribution to the form factors from the quark and gluon content of the \eta,\eta^{\prime} mesons is taken into account using for the \eta-\eta^{\prime} mixing the SU_f(3) singlet \eta_1 and octet \eta_8 basis. The theoretical predictions obtained this way are compared with the corresponding CLEO data and restrictions on the input parameters (Gegenbauer coefficients) B_2^q(\eta_1), B_2^g(\eta_1), and B_2^q(\eta_8) in the distribution amplitudes for the \eta_1,\eta_8 states with one nonasymptotic term are deduced. Comparison is made with the results from QCD perturbation theory., Comment: 25 pages, RevTeX4 used. 9 figures as EPS files. Text significantly changed to include variation of theoretical parameters. Figures modified. Corrected typo in equation (34) and trivial mistake in $\beta_1$-coefficient. References added. Conclusions unchanged

The CLEO experimental data on the $\pi\gamma$ transition are analyzed to next-to-leading order accuracy in QCD perturbation theory using light-cone QCD sum rules. By processing these data along the lines proposed by Schmedding and Yakovlev, and recently revised by us, we obtain new constraints for the Gegenbauer coefficients $a_{2}$ and $a_{4}$, as well as for the inverse moment $x^{-1}$ of the pion distribution amplitude (DA). The former determine the pion DA at low momentum scale, the latter is crucial in calculating pion form factors. From the results of our analysis we conclude that the data confirm the end-point suppressed shape of the pion DA we previously obtained with QCD sum rules and nonlocal condensates, while the exclusion of both the asymptotic and the Chernyak--Zhitnitsky DAs is reinforced at the $3\sigma$- and $4\sigma$-level, respectively. The reliability of the main results of our updated CLEO data analysis is demonstrated. Our pion DA is checked against the di-jets data from the E791 experiment, providing credible evidence for our results far more broadly., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures as EPS files. 2 figures added; discussion of NNLO effects added and discussion of twist-4 uncertainties expanded; some typos corrected; physics unchanged; some references added. Matches version to appear in PLB

Employing the standard hard-scattering approach (HSA) in conjunction with the running-coupling (RC) method, the latter joined with the infrared-renormalon calculus, we compute power-suppressed corrections $\sim 1/Q^{2n}, n=1, 2,...$ to the massless $\eta^{\prime}$ meson - virtual gluon transition form factor (FF) $Q^2F_{\eta ^{\prime}g^{*}g^{*}}(Q^2,\omega)$. Contributions to the form factor from the quark and gluon components of the $\eta^{\prime}$ meson are taken into account. Analytic expressions for the FF's $F_{\eta^{\prime}gg^{*}}(Q^2,\omega=\pm 1)$ and $F_{\eta^{\prime}g^{*}g^{*}}(Q^2,\omega=0)$ are also presented, as well as Borel transforms $B[Q^{2}F_{\eta^{\prime}g^{*}g^{*}}](u)$ and resummed expressions. It is shown that except for $\omega=\pm 1, 0$, the Borel transform contains an infinite number of infrared renormalon poles. It is demonstrated that in the explored range of the total gluon virtuality $1 \rm {GeV}^{2} \leq Q^2 \leq 25 \rm {GeV}^{2}$, power corrections found with the RC method considerably enhance the FF $F_{\eta^{\prime}g^{*}g^{*}}(Q^{2}, \omega)$ relative to results obtained only in the context of the standard HSA with a ``frozen'' coupling., Comment: 38 pages, RevTeX4 used. 18 figures as PS/EPS files. Discussion extended; some typos corrected; change of renormalization scale to 1 GeV. Main results unchanged. Matches version to be published in Eur. Phys. J. C

We discuss different QCD approaches to calculate the form factor F^{\gamma^*\gamma\pi}(Q^2) of the \gamma^*\gamma\to\pi^{0} transition giving preference to the light-cone QCD sum rules (LCSR) approach as being the most adequate. In this context we revise the previous analysis of the CLEO experimental data on F^{\gamma^*\gamma\pi}(Q^{2}) by Schmedding and Yakovlev. Special attention is paid to the sensitivity of the results to the (strong radiative) \alpha_s-corrections and to the value of the twist-four coupling \delta^2. We present a full analysis of the CLEO data at the NLO level of LCSRs, focusing particular attention to the extraction of the relevant parameters to determine the pion distribution amplitude, i.e., the Gegenbauer coefficients a_2 and a_4. Our analysis confirms our previous results and also the main findings of Schmedding and Yakovlev: both the asymptotic, as well as the Chernyak--Zhitnitsky pion distribution amplitudes are completely excluded by the CLEO data. A novelty of our approach is to use the CLEO data as a means of determining the value of the QCD vacuum non-locality parameter \lambda^2_q = <\bar{q}D^2q>/<\bar{q}q> =0.4 GeV^2, which specifies the average virtuality of the vacuum quarks., Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables; format and margins corrected to fit page size; small changes in the text and correction of misprints

We employ the Polyakov world-line path-integral version of QCD to identify and resum at leading perturbative order enhanced radiative gluon contributions to the Drell-Yan type ($q\bar{q}$ pair annihilation) cross-sections. We emphasize that this is the first time that world-line techniques are applied to cross-section calculations., Comment: 21 pages, using RevTeX. Three figures as EPS files. To appear in Eur. Phys. J. C

I present a unifying scheme for hadronic functions that comprises logarithmic corrections due to gluon emission in perturbative QCD, as well as power-behaved corrections of nonperturbative origin. The latter are derived by demanding that perturbatively resummed partonic observables should be analytic in the whole $Q^2$-plane if they are to be related to physical observables measured in experiments. I also show phenomenological consequences of this approach. The focus is on the electromagnetic pion form factor to illustrate both effects, Sudakov logarithms and power corrections in leading order of $\Lambda_{\rm{QCD}}^2/Q^2$. The same approach applied to the inclusive Drell-Yan cross section enables us to perform an absolutely normalized calculation of the leading power correction in $b^2\Lambda_{\rm{QCD}}^2$ (b being the impact parameter), which after exponentiation, gives rise to a nonperturbative Sudakov-type contribution that provides enhancement rather than suppression, hence partly counteracting the perturbative Sudakov suppression., Comment: 14 pages; 2 figures containing 3 EPS files; RevTex style; to appear by Springer Verlag as Lecture Notes in Physics. V2: The following equations have been corrected: second line of (26), (34), (39), (44), (45); values of a_0, a_1, a_2 below (40) corrected; Conclusions unchanged. See also hep-ph/0101031

By remaining strictly within the confines of QCD, i.e., {\it without} invoking the parton model or any other exogenous element, we identify and resum perturbatively to leading order, along with a correction term, enhanced radiative gluon contributions to the Drell-Yan type ($q\bar{q}$ pair annihilation) and deep-inelastic-scattering type ($eq\to eq+X$) cross-sections. The key feature of the adopted approach is the recasting of QCD in terms of a space-time mode of description, which employs a path-integral formulation of field theories, as originally implied in works of Fock, Feynman and Schwinger., Comment: 29 pages; 3 figures as EPS files; some minor typos corrected; RevTex style; submitted to Phys. Rev. D

Using QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates the twist-2 pion distribution amplitude is determined by means of its moments and their confidence intervals, including also radiative corrections. An admissible set of pion distribution amplitudes is constructed in the a_2, a_4 plane of the Gegenbauer polynomial expansion coefficients. The determined a_2, a_4 region strongly overlaps with that extracted from the CLEO data by Schmedding and Yakovlev. Comparisons are given with results from Fermilab experiment E791 and recent lattice calculations., Comment: 4 pages in moriond style; 1 photo and 2 figures unite 7 EPS files; to appear in Proc. of XXXIVth Rencontres de Moriond "QCD and High Energy Hadronic Interactions", March 17 to 24, 2001, Les Arcs, Savoie, France

We use QCD sum rules with nonlocal condensates to re-calculate more accurately the moments and their confidence intervals of the twist-2 pion distribution amplitude including radiative corrections. We are thus able to construct an admissible set of pion distribution amplitudes which define a reliability region in the $a_{2}$, $a_{4}$ plane of the Gegenbauer polynomial expansion coefficients. We emphasize that models like that of Chernyak and Zhitnitsky, as well as the asymptotic solution, are excluded from this set. We show that the determined $a_{2}$, $a_{4}$ region strongly overlaps with that extracted from the CLEO data by Schmedding and Yakovlev and that this region is also not far from the results of the first direct measurement of the pion valence quark momentum distribution by the Fermilab E791 collaboration. Comparisons with recent lattice calculations and instanton-based models are briefly discussed., Comment: 16 pages in RevTeX; 5 figures as EPS files; one citation added in Ref. [24]; published in Phys. Lett. B; Erratum added; No changes of results; Addresses corrected

Demanding the analyticity of hadronic observables (calculated in terms of power series of the running coupling) as a {\it whole}, we show that they are free of the Landau singularity. Employing resummation and dispersion-relation techniques, we compute in a unifying way power corrections to two different hard-scattering functions in perturbative QCD: the electromagnetic pion form factor to leading order and the inclusive cross section of the Drell-Yan process. In the second case, the leading nonperturbative power correction in $b\Lambda_{\rm QCD}$ gives rise to a Sudakov-like exponential factor in the impact parameter space which provides enhancement rather than suppression., Comment: V1: 11 pages in RevTeX; 1 figure as EPS file; V2: typos in Eqs. (5) and (24) corrected; V3: Phys. Lett. B. 504 (2001) 225; V4: The following equations have been corrected: (2), (5), (14), (15), (21), (22), (27), (32), (33), (34); one equation added: new (28). Figure corrected. Conclusions unchanged

We develop and discuss in technical detail an infrared-finite factorization and optimized renormalization scheme for calculating exclusive processes, which enables the inclusion of transverse degrees of freedom without entailing suppression of calculated observables, like form factors. This is achieved by employing an analytic, i.e., infrared stable, running strong coupling $\alpha _{\rm s}(Q^{2})$ which removes the Landau singularity at $Q^{2}=\Lambda_{\rm QCD}^{2}$ by a minimum power-behaved correction. The ensuing contributions to the cusp anomalous dimension - related to the Sudakov form factor - and to the quark anomalous dimension - which controls evolution - lead to an enhancement at high $Q^{2}$ of the hard part of exclusive amplitudes, calculated in perturbative QCD, while simultaneously improving its scaling behavior. The phenomenological implications of this framework are analyzed by applying it to the pion's electromagnetic form factor, including the NLO contribution to the hard-scattering amplitude, and also to the pion-photon transition at LO. For the pion wave function, an improved ansatz of the Brodsky-Huang-Lepage type is employed, which includes an effective (constituent-like) quark mass, $m_{\rm q}=0.33$ GeV. Predictions for both form factors are presented and compared to the experimental data, applying Brodsky-Lepage-Mackenzie commensurate scale setting. We find that the perturbative hart part prevails at momentum transfers above about 20 GeV ${}^{2}$, while at lower $Q^{2}$-values the pion form factor is dominated by Feynman-type contributions. The theoretical prediction for the $\gamma ^{*}\gamma \to \pi ^{0}$ form factor indicates that the true pion distribution amplitude may be somewhat broader than the asymptotic one., Comment: 41 pages in RevTeX; 10 figures (2 added) as PS files; Table 1 slightly changed; expanded discussion of BHL ansatz; misprints corrected; some clarifications and references added; results unchanged. Matches version to appear in Eur.Phys.J.C

We analyze the basic hard exclusive processes: \pi\gamma*\gamma - transition, pion and nucleon electromagnetic form factors, and discuss the analytic continuation of QCD formulas from the spacelike q^2<0 to the timelike region q^2 >0 of the relevant momentum transfers. We describe the construction of the timelike version of the coupling constant \alpha_s. We show that due to the analytic continuation of the collinear logarithms each eigenfunction of the evolution equation acqiures a phase factor and investigate the resulting interference effects which are shown to be very small. We found no sources for the K-factor-type enhancements in the perturbative QCD contribution to the hadronic form factors. To study the soft part of the pion electromagnetic form factor, we use a QCD sum rule inspired model and show that there are non-canceling Sudakov double logarithms which result in a K-factor-type enhancement in the timelike region., Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX; a few typos corrected, references added

Applying arguments based on the operator product expansion for a three-point correlator and relying on quark-hadron duality, we derive an expression for the skewed (non-forward) parton distribution in the pion in the case of a zero-skewedness parameter, {\cal F}^{\psi|\pi}_{\zeta=0}(X;t). We expect that our result is relevant for moderately large momentum transfers 1 < t < 10 GeV^2. In addition, we construct a purely phenomenological factorized model for the same quantity in close analogy to Radyushkin's model, originally proposed for skewed distributions of quarks in the nucleon. Though the quark-hadron duality approach supports theoretically the factorized model, the two models exhibit a different behavior in the parton momentum fraction X at any fixed t. The relevant process to distinguish between the two options seems to be the WACS off the pion that measures (to leading t/s-order) the inverse moment of the skewed distribution. Even after the inclusion of the first order kinematic t/s-corrections, the predictions for the cross section \frac{d \sigma}{d t}(s,t) at c.m.s. scattering angles \vartheta=30^{\circ} and 90^{\circ} differ by factors 3.5--3.9 and 2.9--7.5, respectively, so that a discrimination appears possible., Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX, 9 eps figures, revtex, aps, floats, psbox.tex, corrected typos, changed slightly text, version to be published in Phys.Rev.D