Hadron Structure
My research focuses on the first-principles determination of hadron structure using lattice QCD, with particular emphasis on parton distribution functions.
I develop methods based on the gradient flow to overcome long-standing challenges in accessing partonic observables from Euclidean simulations, enabling precision calculations of hadronic structure.
Physics motivation
Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) describes the interactions of quarks and gluons across a wide range of energies, including the formation of hadrons. At low energies, QCD is non-perturbative, making first-principles calculations of hadron structure particularly challenging.
Hadron structure is encoded in parton distribution functions (PDFs), which characterize the momentum distribution of quarks and gluons inside hadrons. These quantities play a central role in interpreting high-energy experiments at facilities such as the LHC and the future Electron-Ion Collider.
Challenges
The determination of PDFs from lattice QCD is complicated by the Euclidean nature of simulations and the light-cone definition of partonic observables. As a result, direct calculations are not straightforward and require controlled theoretical frameworks.
Traditional approaches based on moments are limited to the lowest orders due to increasing operator mixing and discretization effects.
My approach
My research develops methods based on the gradient flow to address these challenges, enabling the determination of hadronic matrix elements with improved control over ultraviolet fluctuations and renormalization.
In particular, this framework allows for the computation of higher moments of PDFs, overcoming long-standing limitations and opening the possibility of systematically reconstructing parton distributions from lattice QCD.
Twist-2 operators and PDF moments
In QCD factorization, moments of parton distribution functions are related to matrix elements of local twist-2 operators. These operators provide access to the internal structure of hadrons through lattice QCD calculations.
However, the extraction of higher moments is hindered by operator mixing and the breaking of rotational symmetry on the lattice. The methods I develop address these challenges and enable a systematic determination of moments beyond the lowest orders.
