A Novel Approach to Model the Pion Structure Using Advanced Polynomial Functions

The full text of my Ph.D. dissertation is available here. The slides to my defense is available here.

Abstract

In the coming years, new experiments at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will provide unprecedented insight into the building blocks of matter. To make the most of these opportunities, scientists must reduce uncertainties in the theoretical models that connect what we observe in experiments to what is happening inside particles like protons and pions. A critical part of these models involves describing how a particles momentum is shared among its internal components – quarks and gluons.

This work focuses on improving how we model the internal structure of the pion. We propose a new approach using smooth, flexible mathematical curves – called Bézier curves – to describe this structure without overly rigid assumptions. Integrating this method into commonly used analytical tools allows us to study how different modeling choices affect our results. As future experiments deliver more data, our approach will help uncover a broader understanding of the pions inner structure and the forces that hold nuclei together.

Interested in my conference presentations? You can view them here.