Abstract
We present results from the first next-to-leading-order (NLO) numerical analysis of forward hadron production in pA and dA collisions in the small-x saturation formalism. Using parton distributions and fragmentation functions at NLO, as well as the dipole amplitude from the solution to the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation with running coupling, together with the NLO corrections to the hard coefficients, we obtain a good description of the available RHIC data in dAu collisions. In the large p⊥ region beyond the saturation scale, we find that the NLO correction becomes dominant and negative, which indicates that other physics beyond NLO becomes important and should also be taken into account. Furthermore, we make predictions for forward hadron production in pPb collisions at the LHC. This analysis not only incorporates the important NLO corrections for all partonic channels, but also reduces the renormalization scale dependence and helps to significantly reduce the theoretical uncertainties. It therefore provides a precise test of saturation physics beyond the leading logarithmic approximation.
Highlights
Prior to the era of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the study of the physics of strong interactions at high energy was mostly based on the analytic properties of the scattering matrix
A notable feature of the present calculation is that the next-to-leading order (NLO) correction becomes negative at higher p⊥, and dominates over the leading order result for some values of p⊥
By including the NLO corrections, which cancels all the scale dependence up to one-loop order, we find that the dependence on μ is sharply reduced in the NLO cross section except for very low μ2 values
Summary
We present results from the first next-to-leading order (NLO) numerical analysis of forward hadron production in pA and dA collisions in the small-x saturation formalism. We make predictions for forward hadron production in pPb collisions at the LHC. This analysis incorporates the important NLO corrections for all partonic channels, and reduces the renormalization scale dependence and helps to significantly reduce the theoretical uncertainties. It provides a precise test of saturation physics beyond the leading logarithmic approximation. PACS numbers: 24.85.+p, 12.38.Bx, 12.39.St arXiv:1307.4057v1 [hep-ph] 15 Jul 2013
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
