We derive next-to-eikonal (NEik) corrections to the background quark propagator, which stem from (i) considering a finite longitudinal width target instead of an infinitely thin shockwave and (ii) including the interaction of the quark with the transverse components of the background field. These two different corrections to the eikonal approximation combine together and provide a gauge covariant expression for the quark propagator at NEik accuracy. We then apply our results to quark (or antiquark) scattering on a nucleus at NEik accuracy, considering both unpolarized cross section and helicity asymmetry.

• Received 5 May 2021
• Accepted 28 June 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.104.014019

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Published by the American Physical Society