Abstract: Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the fundamental theory of strong nuclear force that binds the quarks and gluons to form the familiar proton, neutron and other such composite particles called the hadrons. The simplicity of the governing equations of QCD can be deceiving and we have to use large-scale supercomputer simulations of the quark-gluon interactions using a method called lattice QCD to predict the properties of the hadrons from first-principles. This approach has been quite successful in the ab initio understanding of the tower of hadrons, their masses and the decay widths. However, until recently, the computation of the quark-gluon internal structure of the proton and other hadrons has evaded lattice QCD. In this talk, Dr. Nikhil Krantik of the Jefferson Lab and the College of William & Mary will give an overview of hadronic physics from lattice QCD and then discuss the breakthrough in the computation the x-dependent quark-gluon (“parton”) structures. Dr. Krantik will present some recent lattice QCD studies of the parton distribution functions (PDF) of a transversely polarized proton and of the pion, which are the cases where the theory can have an immediate impact on their experimental determinations. Dr. Krantik will also present some exploratory studies by which we can better understand parton physics by theoretical extensions of the method to new systems.

Short Bio: Dr. Krantik obtained his PhD in theoretical physics from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India in 2014. After that he held postdoctoral positions at FIU, Brookhaven National Lab and now, jointly with Jefferson Lab and College of William & Mary. Dr. Krantik's research interests are in lattice QCD computations of hadron structure, QCD at finite temperature and density and strongly-interacting field theories in lower dimensions.