Transverse-momentum parton densities: gauge links, divergences and soft factor

Abstract

We discuss the state-of-the-art of the theory of transverse-momentum dependent parton densities (TMD)s, paying special attention to their renormalization properties, the structure of the gauge links in the operator definition, and the role of the soft factor in the factorization formula within the TMD approach to the semi-inclusive processes. We argue that the use of the lightcone axial gauge offers certain advantages for a consistent definition of TMDs as compared to the off-the-light-cone gauges, or covariant gauges with off-the-lightcone gauge links.