Polarized antiquark flavor asymmetry $$mathrm{Delta \bar u (x) - Delta \bar d(x)}$$ and the pion cloud Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The flavor asymmetry of the unpolarized antiquark distributions in the proton, (x) - d(x) < 0, can qualitatively be explained as an effect of the pion cloud. Corresponding predictions have been made for the polarized asymmetry, (x) - d(x), based on rho-meson contributions. These estimates differ in sign and magnitude from those obtained in quark-based models, which give (x) - d(x) > 0. Using a simple chiral linear sigma model as an example, we demonstrate that in the meson cloud picture a large positive (x) - d(x) can be obtained from - interference contributions. This calls into question previous estimates based on rho-meson contributions alone, and indicates how the results of the meson cloud picture may be reconciled with those of quark-based models.

published proceedings

  • The European Physical Journal A

author list (cited authors)

  • Fries, R. J., Schfer, A., & Weiss, C.

citation count

  • 13

complete list of authors

  • Fries, RJ||Schäfer, A||Weiss, C

publication date

  • August 2003