Complex conjugate poles and parton distributions

Abstract

We calculate parton and generalized parton distributions in Minkowski space using a scalar propagator with a pair of complex conjugate poles. Correct spectral and support properties are obtained only after careful analytic continuation from Euclidean space. Alternately the quark distribution function can be calculated from modified cutting rules, which put the intermediate state on its complex mass shells. Distribution functions agree with those resulting from the model's Euclidean space double distribution which we calculate via non-diagonal matrix elements of twist-two operators. Thus one can use a wide class of analytic parameterizations of the quark propagator to connect Euclidean space Green functions to light-cone dominated amplitudes.