Pion structure in a modified quark loop model

Abstract

The pion is assumed as usual to couple to the electroweak currents through its constituent quarks. The bound state nature of the [Formula: see text] system coupling to the electroweak currents is simulated by a form factor at the [Formula: see text] vertex, parametrized by an effective mass M and coupling strength f. Calculations are performed at the one loop level, with a prescription used to ensure electromagnetic gauge invariance. Isospin invariance is assumed. f, M, and the effective quark mass m are determined by the normalization condition for the pion electromagnetic form factor and the charged and neutral pion lifetimes. The charge radius of the pion is calculated and found to be in good agreement with experiment. The ratio of the axial to vector structure functions in the radiative weak decay π → evγ is also determined.