Diffractive DIS Research Articles

Hard diffraction in SHERPA

We present the first complete simulation framework for the simulation of jet production in diffractive events at next-to leading order in QCD, matched to the parton shower. We validate the implementation in the SHERPA event generator with data from the H1 and ZEUS experiments for diffractive DIS and diffractive photoproduction. For the latter, we review different models aiming to explain the observed factorisation breaking and we argue that at NLO the direct component must also be suppressed. We provide predictions for diffractive jet production both in DIS and in photoproduction events for the upcoming EIC.

Probing the Onset of Maximal Entanglement inside the Proton in Diffractive Deep Inelastic Scattering.

It has been proposed that at small Bjorken x, or equivalently at high energy, hadrons represent maximally entangled states of quarks and gluons. This conjecture is in accord with experimental data from the electron-proton collider HERA at the smallest accessible x. In this Letter, we propose to study the onset of the maximal entanglement inside the proton using diffractive deep inelastic scattering. It is shown that the data collected by the H1 Collaboration at HERA allow one to probe the transition to the maximal entanglement regime. By relating the entanglement entropy to the entropy of final-state hadrons, we find a good agreement with the H1 data using both the exact entropy formula as well as its asymptotic expansion which indicates the presence of a nearly maximally entangled state. Finally, future opportunities at the Electron Ion Collider are discussed.

Determination of diffractive PDFs from a global QCD analysis of inclusive diffractive DIS and dijet cross-section measurements at HERA

We present an updated set of {\tt SKMHS} diffractive parton distribution functions (PDFs). In addition to the diffractive deep-inelastic scattering (diffractive DIS) data sets, the recent diffractive dijet cross sections measurements by the H1 experiment from the HERA collider are added to the data sample. The new set of diffractive PDFs, entitled {\tt SKMHS23} and {\tt SKMHS23-dijet}, are presented at next-to-leading order (NLO) and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) accuracy in perturbative QCD. Since the gluons directly contribute to jet production through the boson-gluon fusion process, the data on diffractive dijet production in inclusive DIS help to constrain the gluon density, allowing for the determination of both the quark and gluon densities with better accuracy. The NLO and NNLO theory predictions calculated using both {\tt SKMHS23} and {\tt SKMHS23-dijet} are compared to the analyzed data showing excellent agreements. The effect arising from the inclusion of diffractive dijet data and higher order QCD corrections on the extracted diffractive PDFs and data/theory agreements are clearly examined and discussed.

Global QCD analysis of diffractive parton distribution function considering higher twist corrections within the xFitter framework

We present {\tt SKMHS22}, a new set of diffractive parton distribution functions (PDFs) and their uncertainties at next-to-leading-order accuracy in perturbative QCD within the {\tt xFitter} framework. We describe all available diffractive DIS data sets from HERA and the most recent high-precision H1/ZEUS combined measurements considering three different scenarios. First, we extract the diffractive PDFs considering the standard twist-2 contribution. Then, we include the twist-4 correction from the longitudinal virtual photons. Finally, the contribution of subleading Reggeon exchange to the structure-function $F_2^D$ is also examined. For the contribution of heavy flavors, we utilize the Thorne-Roberts general mass variable number scheme. We show that for those corrections, in particular, the twist-4 contribution allows to include the high-$\beta$ region and leads to a better description of the diffractive DIS data sets. We find that the inclusion of the subleading Reggeon exchange significantly improves the description of the diffractive DIS cross-section measurements. The resulting sets are in good agreement with all diffractive DIS data analyzed, which cover a wider kinematical range than in previous fits. The {\tt SKMHS22} diffractive PDFs sets presented in this work are available via the {\tt LHAPDF} interface. We also make suggestions for future research in this area.

Role of higher twist effects in diffractive DIS and determination of diffractive parton distribution functions

The current analysis aims to present the results of a QCD analysis of diffractive parton distribution functions (diffractive PDFs) at next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy in perturbative QCD. In this new determination of diffractive PDFs, we use all available and up-to-date diffractive deep inelastic scattering (diffractive DIS) datasets from H1 and ZEUS Collaborations at HERA including the most recent H1/ZEUS combined measurements. In this analysis, we consider the heavy quark contributions to the diffractive DIS in the so-called framework of {\tt FONLL} general mass variable flavor number scheme (GM-VFNS). The uncertainties on the diffractive PDFs are calculated using the standard "Hessian error propagation" which served to provide a more realistic estimate of the uncertainties. This analysis are enriched, for the first time, by including the nonperturbative higher twist (HT) effects in the calculation of diffractive DIS cross sections which are particularly important at large-$x$ and low $Q^{2}$ regions. Then, the stability and reliability of the extracted diffractive PDFs are investigated upon inclusion of HT effects. We discuss the novel aspects of the approach used in this QCD fit, namely, optimized and flexible parameterizations of diffractive PDFs, the inclusion of HT effects, and considering the recent H1/ZEUS combined dataset. Finally, we present the extracted diffractive PDFs with and without the presence of HT effects, and discuss the fit quality and the stability upon variations of the kinematic cuts and the fitted datasets. We show that the inclusion of HT effects in diffractive DIS can improve the description of the data which leads, in general, to a very good agreement between data and theory predictions.

Phenomenology of diffractive DIS in the framework of fracture functions and determination of diffractive parton distribution functions

The goal of this study is to determine a set of diffractive parton distribution function (diffractive PDFs) from a QCD analysis of all available and up-to-date diffractive deep inelastic scattering (diffractive DIS) data sets from HERA $ep$ collider, including the most recent H1 and ZUES combined inclusive diffractive cross section measurements. This extraction of diffractive PDFs, referred to as {\tt HK19-DPDF}, is performed at next-to-leading (NLO) and next-to-next-to-leading (NNLO) in perturbative QCD. This new determination of diffractive PDFs is based on the fracture functions methodology, a QCD framework designed to provide a statistically sound representation of diffractive DIS processes. Heavy quark contributions to the diffractive DIS are considered within the framework of the FONLL general mass variable flavor number scheme (GM-VFNS) and the "Hessian approach" is used to determine the uncertainties of diffractive PDFs. We discuss the novel aspects of the approach used in the present analysis, namely an optimized and flexible parametrization of the diffractive PDFs as well as a strategy based on the fully factorization theorem for diffractive hard processes. We then present the diffractive PDFs, and discuss the fit quality and the stability upon variations of the kinematic cuts and the fitted data sets. We find that the systematic inclusion of higher-order QCD corrections could improves the description of the data. We compare the extracted sets of diffractive PDFs based on the fracture functions approach to other recent sets of diffractive PDFs, finding in general very good agreements.

Diffractive dijet production: Breakdown of factorization

We analyse the origin of dramatic breakdown of diffractive factorisation, observed in single-diffractive (SD) dijet production in hadronic collisions. One of the sources is the application of the results of measurements of the diagonal diffractive DIS to the off-diagonal hadronic diffractive process. The suppression caused by a possibility of inelastic interaction with the spectator partons is calculated at the amplitude level, differently from the usual probabilistic description. It turns out, however, that interaction with the spectator partons not only suppresses the SD cross section, but also gives rise to the main mechanism of SD dijet production, which is another important source of factorization failure. Our parameter-free calculations of SD-to-inclusive cross section ratio, performed in the dipole representation, agrees with the corresponding CDF Tevatron (Run II) data at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV in the relevant kinematic regions. The energy and hard scale dependences demonstrate a trend, opposite to the factorisation-based expectations, similarly to the effect observed earlier in diffractive Abelian radiation.

First global next-to-leading order determination of diffractive parton distribution functions and their uncertainties within the xFitter framework

We present GKG18-DPDFs, a next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD analysis of diffractive parton distribution functions (diffractive PDFs) and their uncertainties. This is the first global set of diffractive PDFs determined within the xFitter framework. This analysis is motivated by all available and most up-to-date data on inclusive diffractive deep inelastic scattering (diffractive DIS). Heavy quark contributions are considered within the framework of the Thorne–Roberts (TR) general mass variable flavor number scheme (GM-VFNS). We form a mutually consistent set of diffractive PDFs due to the inclusion of high-precision data from H1/ZEUS combined inclusive diffractive cross sections measurements. We study the impact of the H1/ZEUS combined data by producing a variety of determinations based on reduced data sets. We find that these data sets have a significant impact on the diffractive PDFs with some substantial reductions in uncertainties. The predictions based on the extracted diffractive PDFs are compared to the analyzed diffractive DIS data and with other determinations of the diffractive PDFs.

Latest results on diffraction at HERA

Recent results on diffraction from the H1 and ZEUS experiments at HERA are presented. Measurement of open charm production in diffractive DIS has been performed by the H1 experiment using the event topology, given by ep → eXY, where the system X, containing at least one D*(2010) meson, is separated from a leading low-mass proton dissociative system Y by a large rapidity gap. The photoproduction of isolated photons is measured using diffractive events recorded by the ZEUS experiment. Cross sections are evaluated in the photon transverse-energy and pseudorapidity ranges 5 < EγT < 15 GeV and -0:7 < ηγ < 0:9, inclusively and with a jet with transverse-energy and pseudorapidity in the ranges 4 < EjetT < 35 GeV and -1:5 < ηjet < 1:8. The exclusive deep inelastic electroproduction and photoproduction of Ψ(2S ) and J=Ψ(1S) mesons has been also studied by ZEUS. The cross-section ratio σ(Ψ(2S))=σ(J=Ψ(1S)) has been measured as a function of Q2, W and t. The results are compared to several predictions of QCD-inspired models, providing tests of the models in a region of soft to hard diffraction.

New HERA Results on Diffraction

Four new measurements are presented in the area of diffractive and exclusive production at HERA. Preliminary results are available for isolated photons in diffractive photoproduction from ZEUS and open charm cross section in diffractive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) regime from H1. ZEUS Collaboration has also measured the cross-section ratio σψ(2S)/σJ/ψ(1S) in exclusive DIS using full HERA data statistics. Finally, H1 Collaboration for the first time studied exclusive ρ0 meson photoproduction associated with a leading neutron at HERA.

Recent results on diffractive and forward physics at HERA

Recent studies on diffractive processes in ep scattering at HERA are reviewed. Heavy quark production in diffractive processes was studied by tagging a D * meson in diffractive DIS events. The cross section for events with a prompt photon in the final state was also measured. The data are well reproduced by models using diffractive parton densities determined from inclusive diffractive DIS cross sections. Two studies were also made on exclusive vector meson production. The cross-section ratio σψ( (2S ))/σ (ψ (1S )), which reflects the difference in transverse shape of the charmonium wave functions, are compared to various models. Moreover, the diffractive ρ 0 photoproduction with a forward neutron, which has two vertices with small-pT recoil, were measured to study factorisation properties. The data show some indication of re-scattering.

On the possibility of gluon number fluctuations in diffractive deep inelastic scattering data with impact parameter

A global analysis of the latest diffractive deep inelastic scattering (DIS) data with gluon number fluctuations and impact parameter is performed. The impact parameter is introduced into the scattering amplitude by saturation scale with a Gaussian b-dependence. The results show that the description of the diffractive DIS data is improved once the gluon number fluctuations and impact parameter are included, with [Formula: see text]/d.o.f = 0.878, [Formula: see text]/d.o.f = 0.928 and [Formula: see text]/d.o.f = 0.897 in different sets of free parameters. Moreover, we find that the impact parameter ([Formula: see text] 0.1) is possibly compressed by the gluon number fluctuations, which leads to the value of saturation exponent returning to [Formula: see text] 0.2. This outcome is compatible with the prediction that the saturation exponent is dominated by the fluctuations at sufficiently high energy, which may indicate the possibility of gluon number fluctuations in diffractive DIS data.

Precision QCD measurements in DIS at HERA

New and recent results on QCD measurements from the H1 and ZEUS experiments at the HERA ep collider are reviewed. The final results on the combined deep-inelastic neutral and charged current cross-sections are presented and their role in the extractions of parton distribution functions (PDFs) is studied. The PDF fits give insight into the compatibility of QCD evolution and heavy flavor schemes with the data as a function of kinematic variables such as the scale Q2. Measurements of jet production cross-sections in ep collisions provide direct proves of QCD and extractions of the strong coupling constants are performed. Charm and beauty cross-section measurements are used for the determination of the heavy quark masses. Their role in PDF fits is investigated. In the regime of diffractive DIS and photoproduction, dijet and prompt photon production cross-sections provide insights into the process of factorization and the nature of the diffractive exchange.

Analysis of the Diffractive Deep Inelastic Scattering Data with Running Coupling and Gluon Number Fluctuations**Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11305040, 11505036 and 11447203, the Education Department of Guizhou Province Talent Fund under Grant No [2015]5508, and the Science and Technology Department of Guizhou Province Fund under Grant Nos [2015]2114 and [2014]7053.

We study the effects of running coupling and gluon number fluctuations in the latest diffractive deep inelastic scattering data. It is found that the description of the data is improved once the running coupling and gluon number fluctuations are included with χ2 /d.o.f. = 0.867, χ2 /d.o.f. = 0.923 and χ2/d.o.f. = 0.878 for three different groups of experimental data. The values of diffusive coefficient subtracted from the fit are smaller than the ones obtained by considering only the gluon number fluctuations in our previous studies. The smaller values of the diffusive coefficient are in agreement with the theoretical predictions, where the gluon number fluctuations are suppressed by the running coupling which leads to smaller values of the diffusive coefficient.

Running coupling and pomeron loop effects on inclusive and diffractive DIS cross sections

Within the framework of a (1+1)-dimensional model which mimics high-energy QCD, we study the behavior of the cross sections for inclusive and diffractive deep inelastic γ ∗ h scattering cross sections. We analyze the cases of both fixed and running coupling within the mean-field approximation, in which the evolution of the scattering amplitude is described by the Balitsky–Kovchegov equation, and also through the pomeron loop equations, which include in the evolution the gluon number fluctuations. In the diffractive case, similarly to the inclusive one, suppression of the diffusive scaling, as a consequence of the inclusion of the running of the coupling, is observed.

Inclusive Diffraction at HERA

Results are reported on measurements of diffractive cross sections in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) and photoproduction at HERA. The cross sections are compared for processes with a leading proton in the final state and with a large gap in the rapidity distribution of the final state hadrons. The cross section dependences on the proton fractional longitudinal momentum loss x P and the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex t are interpreted in terms of an effective pomeron trajectory and a sub-leading exchange. The hypothesis of proton vertex factorisation is tested. The longitudinal structure function is extracted from the diffractive cross sections measured at different proton beam energies. The cross sections of diffractive dijet production are compared with QCD predictions at next-to-leading order (NLO) based on parton distribution functions obtained from diffractive inclusive DIS data. Combined NLO QCD fits to the inclusive and dijet DIS data are performed to determine diffractive quark singlet and gluon densities with a better precision. The ratio of the diffractive dijet cross sections in photoproduction and DIS is compared with NLO QCD predictions to test QCD collinear factorisation.

Measurement of the diffractive longitudinal structure function $F_{L}^{D}$ at HERA

First measurements are presented of the diffractive cross section $\sigma_{ep \rightarrow eXY}$ at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}$ of 225 and 252 GeV, together with a precise new measurement at $\sqrt{s}$ of 319 GeV, using data taken with the H1 detector in the years 2006 and 2007. Together with previous H1 data at $\sqrt{s}$ of 301 GeV, the measurements are used to extract the diffractive longitudinal structure function F_L^D in the range of photon virtualities 4.0 <= Q^2 <= 44.0 GeV^2 and fractional proton longitudinal momentum loss 5 10^{-4} <= x_{IP} <= 3 10^{-3}. The measured F_L^D is compared with leading twist predictions based on diffractive parton densities extracted in NLO QCD fits to previous measurements of diffractive Deep-Inelastic Scattering and with a model which additionally includes a higher twist contribution derived from a colour dipole approach. The ratio of the diffractive cross section induced by longitudinally polarised photons to that for transversely polarised photons is extracted and compared with the analogous quantity for inclusive Deep-Inelastic Scattering.

Testing possible gluon number fluctuations in HERA data

The gluon number fluctuations in diffractive deep inelastic scattering (DIS) at low values of the Bjorken variable x is considered in the IIM model with fixed coupling case. We find that the IIM model with gluon number fluctuations can be better description for the diffractive DIS data than IIM model without fluctuations.

Inclusive and diffractive DIS at low x from HERA to the EIC

We describe a model for low x DIS off nucleons and nuclei which provides initial conditions for QCD evolution that satisfy unitarity at low-x. We discuss it's extension to the perturbative regime and it's predictions for several DIS observables. We emphasize the well-known connection between rise of the diffractive cross section at high energies and nuclear shadowing.

Diffractive Structure Functions from the H1 and ZEUS Experiments at HERA

The cross section of inclusive diffractive process ep -> eXp was measured within a wide kinematic range in the H1 and ZEUS experiments at HERA. Results obtained by different experiments and methods are compatible within measurement uncertainties. The measurements were subjected to DGLAP next-to-leading order QCD global fits and the diffractive parton distribution functions (DPDFs) of the proton were determined with noticeably reduced uncertainties due to very high precision of the data. The gluon density precision was much improved in fits which also included data on dijet production in diffractive DIS. Predictions based on the determined DPDFs are in agreement with the measured inclusive cross-section of diffractive dijet photoproduction and charm production in diffractive DIS at HERA. The longitudinal diffractive structure function $F^D_L$ was measured directly for the first time.