Quark Counting, Drell-Yan West, and the Pion Wave Function

Abstract

The relation between the pion's quark distribution function, $q(x)$, its light-front wave function, and the elastic charge form factor, $F(\Delta^2)$ is explored. The square of the leading-twist pion wave function at a special probe scale, $\zeta_H$, is determined using models and Poincare covariance from realistic results for $q(x)$. This wave function is then used to compute form factors with the result that the Drell-Yan-West and quark counting relationships are not satisfied. A new relationship between $q(x)$ and $F(\Delta^2)$ is proposed.