  The three-dimensional momenta of quarks inside a hadron are encoded in
transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). This work
presents an exploratory lattice QCD study of a TMD observable in the pion
describing the Boer-Mulders effect, which is related to polarized quark
transverse momentum in an unpolarized hadron. Particular emphasis is placed on
the behavior as a function of a Collins-Soper evolution parameter quantifying
the relative rapidity of the struck quark and the initial hadron, e.g., in a
semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) process. The lattice
calculation, performed at the pion mass m_pi = 518 MeV, utilizes a definition
of TMDs via hadronic matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator with a
staple-shaped gauge connection; in this context, the evolution parameter is
related to the staple direction. By parametrizing the aforementioned matrix
elements in terms of invariant amplitudes, the problem can be cast in a Lorentz
frame suited for the lattice calculation. In contrast to an earlier nucleon
study, due to the lower mass of the pion, the calculated data enable
quantitative statements about the physically interesting limit of large
relative rapidity. In passing, the similarity between the Boer-Mulders effects
extracted in the pion and the nucleon is noted.
