Generalized vector form factors of the pion in a chiral quark model

Abstract

Generalized vector form factors of the pion, related to the moments of the generalized parton distribution functions, are evaluated in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model with the Pauli-Villars regularization. The lowest moments (the electromagnetic and the gravitational form factors) are compared to recent lattice data, with fair agreement. Predictions for higher-order moments are also made. Relevant features of the generalized form factors in the chiral quark models are highlighted and the role of the QCD evolution for the higher-order GFFs is stressed.