Gradient Flow for Parton Distribution Functions: First Application to the Pion

Physical Review Letters 2026 Open access

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Authors: Anthony Francis, Patrick Fritzsch, Robert V. Harlander, Rohith Karur, Jangho Kim, Jonas T. Kohnen, Giovanni Pederiva, Dimitra A. Pefkou, Antonio Rago, Andrea Shindler, André Walker-Loud, Savvas Zafeiropoulos
DOI: 10.1103/z3wr-zk8n
Cited by: 7
References: 132

Abstract

Parton distribution functions (PDFs) are central to precision QCD phenomenology. Their Mellin moments can be computed on the lattice, but direct determinations using local operators, besides ⟨ x ⟩ , face severe challenges from reduced hypercubic symmetry, limiting results to the lowest moments. A recently proposed method resolves these issues using gradient flow. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method by computing ratios of flavor nonsinglet pion PDF moments up to ⟨ x 5 ⟩ on four lattice spacings at m π ≃ 411 MeV . The moments and reconstructed PDF agree quantitatively with recent phenomenological extractions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

High-Energy Particle Collisions Research Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
136
Issue
17
Publication date
20 March 2026
Language
EN