Gravitational form factors of the proton from near-threshold vector meson photoproduction*

Abstract

Abstract We systematically analyze the quark and gluon gravitational form factors (GFFs) of the proton by connecting the energy-momentum tensor and near-threshold vector meson photoproduction (NTVMP). Specifically, the quark contributions of GFFs are determined by applying global fitting to the cross section of the lightest vector meson photoproduction. Combined with the gluon GFFs obtained from heavy quarkonium photoproduction data, the complete GFFs are obtained and compared with the experimental results and lattice quantum chromodynamics determinations. In addition, we use the resonance via Padé (RVP) method based on the Schlessinger point method to obtain a model-independent quark D-term distribution through direct analytical continuation of deeply virtual Compton scattering experimental data. If errors are considered, the results obtained with RVP are essentially consistent with those obtained by NTVMP. Moreover, the comprehensive information on GFFs helps to uncover the mass distribution and mechanical properties inside the proton. This study is not only an important basis for delving into the enigmatic properties of the proton, but also has significance for theoretically guiding future JLab and EIC experimental measurements.