Conceptual
Browse Instruct Curate

Probing Pion Generalized Distribution Amplitudes via Di-Pion Production at Electron-Ion Colliders

Proposes that pion generalized distribution amplitudes, normally accessed in electron-positron collisions, can also be extracted from exclusive di-neutral-pion production in electron-proton and electron-nucleus collisions at future Electron-Ion Colliders through the two-photon subprocess. Students learn how the equivalent photon approximation converts the quasi-real photon flux of a proton or heavy nucleus (which scales with the square of nuclear charge) into predicted cross sections, and why heavy-ion beams yield far higher event rates and hence higher-precision access to hadron three-dimensional structure.