Parton Distributions in Nucleons and Nuclei

2020/01/31 by Jacob J. Ethier, Emanuele R. Nocera · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Deep inelastic scattering #Distribution function #Hadron #High-Energy Particle Collisions Research #Nucleon #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Parton #Perturbative QCD #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Quantum chromodynamics #Scattering #Substructure #hep-ex #hep-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1146/annurev-nucl-011720-042725

published as Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, Vol.70 (2020) · 34 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables; invited review submitted to Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, Vol.70 (2020); version accepted for publication; various references updated; improved discussion on implications for astroparticle physics

openalex created_date 2020/01/30 · arxiv created 2020/02/17 · arxiv updated 2020/02/18 · openalex publication_date 2020/06/02 · crossref created 2020/06/02 · crossref issued 2020/10/19 · crossref published 2020/10/19 · crossref published-print 2020/10/19 · crossref deposited 2022/10/26 · crossref indexed 2026/08/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

We review the current status of parton distribution function (PDF) determinations for unpolarized and longitudinally polarized protons and for unpolarized nuclei, which are probed by high-energy hadronic scattering in perturbative quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We present the established theoretical framework, the experimental information, and the methodological aspects inherent to any modern PDF extraction. Furthermore, we summarize the present knowledge of PDFs and discuss their limitations in both accuracy and precision relevant to advancing our understanding of QCD proton substructure and pursuing our quest for precision in the Standard Model and beyond. In this respect, we highlight various achievements, discuss contemporary issues in PDF analyses, and outline future directions of progress.

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