Abstract: We study the radiative pion decay pi(+) -> e(+) nu(e)gamma within nonlocal chiral quark models that include wave function renormalization. In this framework we analyze the momentum dependence of the vector form factor F-V(q(2)) and the slope of the axial-vector form factor F-A(q(2)) at threshold. Our results are compared with available experimental information and with the predictions given by the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. In addition we calculate the low energy constants l(5) and l(6), comparing our results with the values obtained in chiral perturbation theory.

Abstract: The magnetic susceptibility of the QCD vacuum is analyzed in the framework of a nonlocal SU(3) Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. Considering two different model parametrizations, we estimate the values of the u-and s-quark tensor coefficients and magnetic susceptibilities and then we extend the analysis to finite temperature systems. Our numerical results are compared to those obtained in other theoretical approaches and in lattice QCD calculations.

Abstract: We study the eta and eta(') distribution amplitudes (DAs) in the context of a nonlocal SU(3)(L) circle times SUd(3)(R) chiral quark model. The corresponding Lagrangian allows us to reproduce the phenomenological values of pseudoscalar meson masses and decay constants, as well as the momentum dependence of the quark propagator arising from lattice calculations. It is found that the obtained DAs have two symmetric maxima, which arise from new contributions generated by the nonlocal character of the interactions. These DAs are then applied to the calculation of the eta-gamma and eta(')-gamma transition form factors. Implications of our results regarding higher twist corrections and/or contributions to the transition form factors originated by gluon-gluon components in the eta and eta(') mesons are discussed.

Abstract: We propose a model-independent parametrization for the one-pion-to-vacuum matrix elements of the vector and axial vector hadronic currents in the presence of an external uniform magnetic field. It is shown that, in general, these hadronic matrix elements can be written in terms of several gauge covariant Lorentz structures and form factors. Within this framework we obtain a general expression for the weak decay pi(- )-> l(nu)over bar(l) and discuss the corresponding limits of strong and weak external magnetic fields.

Abstract: We consider the decay pi(-) -> l (nu) over bar (l) (l = e(-) , mu(-)) in the presence of an arbitrary large uniform magnetic field, using the symmetric gauge. The consequences of the axial symmetry of the problem and the issue of angular momentum conservation arc discussed in detail. In particular, we analyze the projection of both the canonical and the mechanical total angular momenta along the direction of the magnetic field. It is found that while the former is conserved in the symmetric gauge, the latter is not conserved in both the symmetric and Landau gauges. We derive an expression for the integrated pi(-) -> l (nu) over bar (l) width that coincides exactly with the one we previously found using the Landau gauge, providing an explicit test of the gauge independence of that result. Such an expression implies that for nonzero magnetic fields the decay width does not vanish in the limit in which the outgoing charged leptons can be considered as massless, i.e., it does not exhibit the helicity suppression found in the case of no external field.