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Renormalon effects on quasi-PDFs in the gradient flow formalism

Jia-Lu Zhang*

  • *Contact author: elpsycongr00@sjtu.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. D 112, 094504 – Published 12 November, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/h5xf-pmww

Abstract

We investigate renormalon ambiguities in quasiparton distribution functions (quasi-PDFs) defined using gradient-flowed fields. Focusing on both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) renormalons, we perform an explicit calculation of bubble chain diagrams to analyze their dependence on the flow time. We find that the gradient flow eliminates UV renormalon in quasi-PDFs. In the small flow-time expansion, the linear renormalons cancel exactly between the matching kernel and the MS¯ quasi-PDF. Meanwhile, IR renormalons persist but are modified at finite flow time. The deformation of the renormalon structure induced by the gradient flow suggests an altered infrared behavior, with enhanced contributions from higher-twist effects even at small flow time.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 094504– Published 12 November, 2025
  • Received 5 August 2025
  • Accepted 14 October 2025
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