Forward Shower Research Articles

Central exclusive production of J/\u03c8 and \u03c8(2S) mesons in pp collisions at sqrt{s}=13 TeV

Measurements are reported of the central exclusive production of J/ψ and ψ(2S) mesons in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Backgrounds are significantly reduced compared to previous measurements made at lower energies through the use of new forward shower counters. The products of the cross-sections and the branching fractions for the decays to dimuons, where both muons are within the pseudorapidity range 2.0 < η < 4.5, are measured to beσJ/ψ→μ+μ−=435±18±11±17pbσψ2S→μ+μ−=11.1±1.1±0.3±0.4pb.\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsmath}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{wasysym}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsfonts}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amssymb}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsbsy}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{mathrsfs}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{upgreek}\t\t\t\t\\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\t\t\t\t\\begin{document}$$ \\begin{array}{c}\\hfill {\\sigma}_{J/\\psi \\to {\\mu}^{+}{\\mu}^{-}} = 435 \\pm 18 \\pm 11 \\pm 17\\ \\mathrm{p}\\mathrm{b}\\hfill \\\\ {}\\hfill {\\sigma}_{\\psi (2S)\\to {\\mu}^{+}{\\mu}^{-}} = 11.1 \\pm 1.1 \\pm 0.3 \\pm 0.4\\ \\mathrm{p}\\mathrm{b}.\\hfill \\end{array} $$\\end{document}The first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are due to the luminosity determination. The cross-sections are also measured differentially for meson rapidities between 2.0 and 4.5. Good agreement is observed with theoretical predictions. Photoproduction cross-sections are derived and compared to previous experiments, and a deviation from a pure power-law extrapolation of lower energy data is observed.

Probing diffractive production of gauge bosons at forward rapidities

The gauge boson production at forward rapidities in single diffractive events at the LHC is investigated considering $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 8 and 13 TeV. The impact of gap survival effects is analysed using two different models for the soft rescattering contributions. We demonstrate that using the Forward Shower Counter Project at LHCb -- HERSCHEL, together with the Vertex Locator -- VELO, it is possible to discriminate diffractive production of the gauge bosons $W$ and $Z$ from the non-diffractive processes and studies of the Pomeron structure and diffraction phenomenology are feasible. Moreover, we show that the analysis of this process can be useful to constrain the modelling of the gap survival effects.

Forward shower counters for diffractive physics at the LHC

The LHC detectors have incomplete angular coverage in the forward direction, for example in the region 6 ≲ |η| ≲ 8, which can be improved with the addition of simple scintillation counters around the beam pipes about 50 m to 120 m from the intersection point. These counters detect showers created by particles hitting the beam pipes and nearby material. The absence of signals in these counters in low pileup conditions is an indication of a forward rapidity gap as a signature of diffraction. In addition, they can be used to detect hadrons from low mass diffractive excitations of the proton, not accompanied by a leading proton but adjacent to a rapidity gap over (e.g.) 3 ≲ |η| ≲ 6. Such a set of forward shower counters, originally used at CDF, was used in CMS (FSC) for high-β* running with TOTEM during LHC Run-1. During LS1 the CMS FSC system is being upgraded for future low pileup runs. A similar system, called HERSCHEL is being installed in LHCb. ALICE is implementing scintillation counters, ADA and ADC, with 4.5 ≲ |η| ≲ 6.4.

Small angle detectors for study diffractive processes with CMS

The approach and detectors for diffractive physics based on two current projects—Forward Shower Counter (FSC) and Proton Precision Spectrometer (PPS) are presented. FSC system consists of six (3+3) Stations of scintillator counters, which surround closely the beam pipes along 59 m < |z| < 140 m from IP5 on both plus (+) and minus (-) sides. These will detect showers from very forward particles with rapidity 7.5 < |η| < 10 interacting in the beam pipe and surrounding material. FSC allow measurements of single diffraction: p+p → p+G+X (where G is rapidity gap) for lower masses and double diffraction p+p → X+G+X with a large central rapidity gap. The counters can also be used for beam real-time monitoring and will make an invaluable contribution to the understanding of the background environment and its topology. PPS is designed for study the central exclusive production pp → p+X+p, where the + signs denote the absence of hadronic activity (that is, the presence of a rapidity gap) between the outgoing protons and the decay products of the central system X. The precise measurement of the kinematical parameters of the outgoing protons enables to study the properties of the central state X. In PPS part we consider the detector for high precision timing of these protons—QUARTIC. It consists of L-shape bars with quartz or sapphire radiator. The time resolution of the QUARTIC prototypes achieved ≈ 10 ps.

Multiplicity characteristics in relativistic 24Mg-nucleus collisions

This work is concerned with the analyses of the shower and gray particle production in 4.5 A GeV/c 24Mg collision with emulsion nuclei. The highest particle production occurs in the region of the low impact parameters. While the multiplicity of the shower particles emitted in the forward direction depends on the projectile mass number and energy, the multiplicity of the backward ones shows a limiting behaviour. The source of the emission of the forward shower particles is completely different from that of the backward ones. The target fragments are produced in a thermalized system of emission.

Target size dependence of relativistic hadron emission from 32S nuclear collisions at 3.7 and 200A GeV

The behavior of the relativistic hadron (shower particle) multiplicity for 32S–nucleus interactions is investigated. The experiment is carried out at 3.7A GeV (Dubna energy) and 200A GeV (SPS energy) to search for the incident energy effect on the interactions inside the different emulsion target nuclei. Data are presented in terms of the number of emitted relativistic hadrons in both forward and backward angular zones. The dependence on the target size is presented. For this purpose the statistical events are separated into groups according to the interactions with H, CNO, Em, and AgBr target nuclei. The separation of events, into these groups, is executed based on predictions of Glauber's multiple scattering theory. Features suggestive of a decay mechanism seem to be a characteristic of the backward emission of relativistic hadrons. The results strongly support the assumption that the relativistic hadrons may already be emitted during the de-excitation of the excited target nucleus, in a behavior like that of compound nucleus disintegration. Regarding the limiting fragmentation hypothesis beyond 1 GeV, the target size is the main parameter affecting the backward production of relativistic hadrons. The backward shower particle multiplicity can indicate the impact parameter. The incident energy is a principle factor responsible for the forward relativistic hadron production, implying that this system of particle production is a creation system. However, the target size is an effective parameter as well as the projectile size considering the geometrical concept seen in the nuclear fireball model. The forward shower particle multiplicity distributions may behave in a similar trend at Dubna energy and SPS for low target sizes. For heavy target sizes, the SPS energy reveals the creation of hadrons with nearly equal probabilities over a wide range of multiplicity, extending to more than 300 hadrons per event. The data are analyzed in the framework of the FRITIOF model.

Central diffraction at ALICE

The ALICE experiment is shown to be well suited for studies of exclusive final states from central diffractive reactions. The gluon-rich environment of the central system allows detailed QCD studies and searches for exotic meson states, such as glueballs, hybrids and new charmonium-like states. It would also provide a good testing ground for detailed studies of heavy quarkonia. Due to its central barrel performance, ALICE can accurately measure the low-mass central systems with good purity. The efficiency of the Forward Multiplicity Detector (FMD) and the Forward Shower Counter (FSC) system for detecting rapidity gaps is shown to be adequate for the proposed studies. With this detector arrangement, valuable new data can be obtained by tagging central diffractive processes.

Central diffraction at the LHCb

The LHCb experiment is shown to be ideal for studies of exclusive final states from central diffractive reactions. The gluon-rich environment of the central system allows detailed QCD studies and searches for exotic meson states, such as glueballs, hybrids and new charmonium-like states. It would also provide a good testing ground for detailed studies of heavy quarkonia. Due to its distinct design features, the LHCb can accurately measure the low-mass central systems with good purity. The efficiency of the Forward Shower Counter (FSC) system for detecting rapidity gaps is shown to be adequate for the proposed studies. With this detector arrangement, valuable new data can be obtained by tagging central diffractive processes.

Erratum to: “Study of backward, forward shower and grey particles production from the interactions of 16O with emulsion nuclei at 4.5 A GeV/c” [Chaos, Solitons and Fractals 18 (2003) 155–124

Erratum to: “Study of backward, forward shower and grey particles production from the interactions of 16O with emulsion nuclei at 4.5 A GeV/c” [Chaos, Solitons and Fractals 18 (2003) 155–124

Study of backward, forward shower and grey particles production from the interactions of 16O with emulsion nuclei at 4.5 A GeV/c

This paper presents the results of the study of interaction of the relativistic 16O nucleus with the momentum 4.5 A GeV/c with the photo emulsion. The average multiplicities of the different emitted hadrons (shower and grey) in the forward (FHS) and backward (BHS) hemisphere, compared with other data from the interaction of 1P, 4He, 6Li, 12C, 22Ne and 28Si at nearly the same momentum, have been studied as a function of projectile mass number, the number of interacting projectile nucleons, impact parameter and number of shower particles emitted in the backward hemisphere. The multiplicity distribution of the shower particles emitted in the forward and backward hemisphere directions using the KNO representation are represented and described by an exponential form for BHS shower particles. Another objective of this paper is to examine whether the mechanism of particle production in the BHS is significantly different from the operating in the production of particles in the FHS which can help to solve some questions connected with the role of collective phenomena in the backward emission of particles from the nuclear targets.