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The goal of this protect is to study hadron structure using the large-momentum effective theory (LaMET) framework. This innovation allows lattice QCD (LQCD) to study the full Bjorken-x dependence of the hadron distribution for the first time. Parton distribution functions (PDFs) provide a universal description of hadronic constituents as well as critical inputs for the discovery of the Higgs boson found at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) through proton-proton collisions. The study of helicity (polarized PDFs) is being pursued by the RHIC experiment at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Transversity is one of the transverse-momentum–dependent distributions (TMD) structures, aligned with the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics NSAC milestone HP13. The 12-GeV upgrade at the Jefferson Laboratory will map out the larger-x regions, which currently have few experimental constraints. All these quantities are listed as important parts of the physics program for the future EIC. With LaMET, we are are able to separate sea and valence contributions, yet another of the main questions being addressed by the EIC.
The nucleon is a building block of all ordinary matter, and the study of nucleon structure is a critical part of the DOE mission. Understanding the QCD structure of the nucleon and nuclei is of fundamental importance in sub-atomic physics. A major focus of research on this topic is the partonic structure of the nucleon, including its spin structure. There have been great advancements and breakthroughs through the considerable investment in investigations over the last few decades. Great opportunities available in the near future with continuing projects from RHIC at Brookhaven National Lab and CEBAF at Jefferson Lab, and the planned electron-ion collider (EIC) will undoubtedly deepen our understanding of the fundamental questions associated with the nucleon structure. In particular, the EIC will provide unprecedented precision in exploring many of the outstanding questions.
Last updated: 2017 Mar