A transverse momentum dependent framework for back-to-back photon+jet production

Abstract

We propose the $pp \rightarrow \text{jet} + \gamma $ as a new process for studying the Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions (TMDs). To do so, we developed a novel framework for the jet-$\gamma$ imbalance in $pp \rightarrow \text{jet} + \gamma $ using Soft Collinear Effective Theory. The new framework opens up many new insights to the TMDs which the current TMD studies confined to the Drell-Yan and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes cannot achieve. The established formalism provides, for the first time, a first principle prediction of the jet-$\gamma$ imbalance in $pp$ collisions and therefore a first direct probe of the factorization breaking effects when compared with the future experimental data. If the factorization breaking effects are found small, the process will offer the unique sensitivities to both the polarized and un-polarized quark/gluon TMDs. We demonstrate the predictive power of the framework by calculating each component in the formalism to the next-to-leading order accuracy and by realizing the next-to-leading-logarithmic evolution. We provide the first numerical estimates for this process, for both the unpolarized cross section and the Sivers asymmetry.