Spectroscopy of rho-meson in symmetric nuclear medium
Studying the rho meson’s spectroscopy in symmetric nuclear matter: mass shifts, decay constants, distribution amplitudes, and electromagnetic form factors.
Anshu Gautam, Tanisha, S. Puhan, A. Kumar, and H. Dahiya
Accepted in Physical Review D
January 05, 2026
Abstract
In this work, we investigate the behavior of the light vector rho meson in the presence of a symmetric nuclear medium at zero temperature. We calculate the mass and decay constant of the rho-meson as well as the leading twist distribution amplitudes (DAs) in the light-front quark model in vacuum, which are further investigated at different baryonic densities. We also predict the Mellin moments of the DAs and decay width of the rho0 -> e+ e- process in both vacuum and medium. The evolution of DAs is carried out by the leading order (LO) Efremov-Radyushkin-Brodsky-Lepage method and compared with available predictions. For better understanding of medium effects on rho-meson, we have also predicted the in-medium charge (G_C(Q^2)), magnetic (G_M(Q^2)), and quadrupole (G_Q(Q^2)) form factors. The in-medium charge radii, magnetic moment, and quadrupole moment have also been predicted in this work. We have found that the nuclear medium induces appreciable modifications on the mass, weak decay constant, decay width, and distribution amplitudes of the rho meson. However, the charge radii, magnetic moment, and quadrupole moment are observed to exhibit weaker sensitivity to changes in baryonic density.
Summary
Investigates rho meson properties in symmetric nuclear matter including mass, decay constant, DAs, decay width, and electromagnetic form factors. Finds significant medium effects on mass and DAs, but weaker sensitivity in charge radii and moments.
Authors: Anshu Gautam, Tanisha, S. Puhan, A. Kumar, and H. Dahiya
Published in: Accepted in Physical Review D