Eur. Phys. J. A (2016) 52: 157
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2016-16157-3

Review

GPD phenomenology and DVCS fitting

Entering the high-precision era

¹ Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Bijenička cesta 32, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
² Physics Department, University of Virginia, 382 MCormick Rd., 22904, Charlottesville, VA, USA
³ Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
⁴ CEA, Centre de Saclay, IRFU/Service de Physique Nucléaire, F-91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

^* e-mail: sl4y@virginia.edu

Received: 6 February 2016
Accepted: 3 April 2016
Published online: 20 June 2016

Abstract

We review the phenomenological framework for accessing Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) using measurements of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) from a proton target. We describe various GPD models and fitting procedures, emphasizing specific challenges posed both by the internal structure and properties of the GPD functions and by their relation to observables. Bearing in mind forthcoming data of unprecedented accuracy, we give a set of recommendations to better define the pathway for a precise extraction of GPDs from experiment.