Same-sign W pair production as a probe of double-parton scattering at the LHC

We study the production of same-sign W boson pairs at the LHC in double parton interactions. Compared with simple factorised double parton distributions (dPDFs), we show that the recently developed dPDFs, GS09, lead to non-trivial kinematic correlations between the W bosons. A numerical study of the prospects for observing this process using same-sign dilepton signatures, including W ^± W ^± jj, diboson and heavy flavour backgrounds, at 14 TeV centre-of-mass energy is then performed. It is shown that a small excess of same-sign dilepton events from double parton scattering over a background dominated by single scattering W ^± Z(γ ^*) production could be observed at the LHC.     

Double parton scattering inpp collisions at\sqrt s = 63 GeV

In a study ofpp collisions at \(\sqrt s = 63\) GeV with more than 29 GeV total transverse energy emitted into 1.8 units of rapidity in the central region, we have extracted a sample of 4-jet events and compared it with models of the two sources of 4-jet production: double bremsstrahlung and double parton scattering. The data cannot be described by bremsstrahlung alone, and we extract the fraction of 4-jet events attributed to double parton scattering for various definitions of the 4-jet sample. We determine the double parton scattering/2-jet yield ratio, and this leads to a determination of the proton radius. We discuss the implications of our observations for the general understanding of high-ΣE _T events.     

(Medium-modified) fragmentation functions

We discuss some of the recent advances in the field of parton fragmentation processes into hadrons as well as their possible modifications in QCD media. Hadron-production data in e ⁺ e ⁻, deep inelastic scattering and hadronic collisions are presented, together with global analyses of fragmentation functions into light and heavy hadrons and developments on parton fragmentation in perturbative QCD at small momentum fraction. Motivated by the recent RHIC data indicating a significant suppression of large-p _⊥ hadron production in heavy-ion collisions, several recent attempts to model medium-modified fragmentation, e.g. by solving “medium” evolution equations or through Monte Carlo studies, have been proposed and are discussed in detail. Finally, we mention the possibility to extract medium-modified fragmentation functions using photon–hadron correlations.     

Pair production of J/ψ as a probe of double parton scattering at LHCb

We argue that the recent LHCb observation of J/ψ-pair production indicates a significant contribution from double parton scattering, in addition to the standard single parton scattering component. We propose a method to measure the double parton scattering at LHCb using leptonic final states from the decay of two prompt J/ψ mesons.     

Transverse spin and momentum correlations in quantum chromodynamics

The naive time reversal odd (‘T-odd’) parton distribution and fragmentation functions are explored. We use the spectator model framework to study flavour dependence of the Boer-Mulders (h ₁^⊥ ) and Sivers (f _1T^⊥) functions as well as the ‘T-even’ but chiral odd function h _1L^⊥. These transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions are of significance for the analysis of azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, as well as for the overall physical understanding of the distribution of transversely polarized quarks in unpolarized hadrons. In this context we also consider the Collins mechanism and the fragmentation function H ₁^⊥. As a by-product of this analysis we calculate the leading twist unpolarized cos(2ϕ) asymmetry, and sin(2ϕ) single spin asymmetry for a longitudinally polarized target in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering.      

Double parton scattering contribution toW+jets

We investigate the double parton scattering production ofW ^±+jets in proton colliders. At high energies an observable signal is expected from double parton collisions when events with small transverse momentumW together with two jets balancing inp _T are selected. Double parton scattering is also a potentially serious background to several rare processes whose signal is aW ⁺+W ^?(→ev+jets) final state. A simplep _T ^W cut seems to be sufficient to separate the genuineW-pair events from the double scattering background.     

Can we get deeper inside the pion at the LHC?

We propose a measurement of leading neutrons spectra at LHC in order to extract inclusive π ⁺ p and π ⁺ π ⁺ cross-sections with high p _T jets production. The cross-sections for these processes are simulated with the use of parton distributions in hadrons. In this work we estimate the possibility to extract parton distributions in the pion from the data on these cross-sections and also search for signatures of fundamental differences in the pion and proton structure.     

Parton distributions for the LHC

We present updated leading-order, next-to-leading order and next-to-next-to-leading order parton distribution functions (“MSTW 2008”) determined from global analysis of hard-scattering data within the standard framework of leading-twist fixed-order collinear factorisation in the [`(MS)]\overline{\mathrm{MS}} scheme. These parton distributions supersede the previously available “MRST” sets and should be used for the first LHC data taking and for the associated theoretical calculations. New data sets fitted include CCFR/NuTeV dimuon cross sections, which constrain the strange-quark and -antiquark distributions, and Tevatron Run II data on inclusive jet production, the lepton charge asymmetry from W decays and the Z rapidity distribution. Uncertainties are propagated from the experimental errors on the fitted data points using a new dynamic procedure for each eigenvector of the covariance matrix. We discuss the major changes compared to previous MRST fits, briefly compare to parton distributions obtained by other fitting groups, and give predictions for the W and Z total cross sections at the Tevatron and LHC.     

Three-dimensional parton distribution functions g1T and $h_{1L}^{\perp}$ in the polarized proton–antiproton Drell–Yan process

We present predictions of the unweighted and weighted double spin asymmetries related to the transversal helicity distribution g _1T and the longitudinal transversity distribution h_1L^{^}h_{1L}^{\perp}, two of eight leading-twist transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs) or three-dimensional parton distribution functions (3dPDFs), in the polarized proton–antiproton Drell–Yan process at typical kinematics on the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR). We conclude that FAIR is ideal to access the new 3dPDFs toward a detailed picture of the nucleon structure.     

Tests of QCD factorisation in the diffractive production of dijets in deep-inelastic scattering and photoproduction at HERA

Measurements are presented of differential dijet cross sections in diffractive photoproduction (Q²<0.01 GeV²) and deep-inelastic scattering processes (DIS, 4<Q²<80 GeV²). The event topology is given by ep→eXY, in which the system X, containing at least two jets, is separated from a leading low-mass baryonic system Y by a large rapidity gap. The dijet cross sections are compared with NLO QCD predictions based on diffractive parton densities previously obtained from a QCD analysis of inclusive diffractive DIS cross sections by H1. In DIS, the dijet data are well described, supporting the validity of QCD factorisation. The diffractive DIS dijet data are more sensitive to the diffractive gluon density at high fractional parton momentum than the measurements of inclusive diffractive DIS. In photoproduction, the predicted dijet cross section has to be multiplied by a factor of approximately 0.5 for both direct and resolved photon interactions to describe the measurements. The ratio of measured dijet cross section to NLO prediction in photoproduction is a factor 0.5±0.1 smaller than the same ratio in DIS. This suppression is the first clear observation of QCD hard scattering factorisation breaking at HERA. The measurements are also compared to the two soft colour neutralisation models SCI and GAL. The SCI model describes diffractive dijet production in DIS but not in photoproduction. The GAL model fails in both kinematic regions.     

Extracting TMDs from CLAS12 data

We present studies of double longitudinal spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering using a new dedicated Monte Carlo generator, which includes quark intrinsic transverse momentum within the generalized parton model based on the fully differential cross section for the process. Additionally we employ Bessel-weighting to the MC events to extract transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions and also discuss possible uncertainties due to kinematic correlation effects.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Λ</Emphasis>N scattering length from the reaction <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>d→K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Λ</Emphasis>n

The prospects of utilizing the strangeness production reaction γd→K ⁺ Λn for the determination of the Λn low-energy scattering parameters are investigated. The spin observables that need to be measured in order to isolate the Λn singlet (¹ S ₀) and triplet (³ S ₁) states are identified. Possible kinematical regions where the extraction of the Λn scattering lengths might be feasible are discussed.     

Fine structure in the azimuthal transverse momentum correlations at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV using the event shape analysis

The experimental results on transverse momentum azimuthal hadron correlations at RHIC have opened a rich field for parton energy loss analysis in heavy-ion collisions. Recently, a considerable amount of work has been devoted to study the shapes of the “away-side” jet which exhibit an interesting and unexpected “double hump” structure not observed in the analogous treatment of the pp data. Driven by the possibility that the latter result might just mean that such a structure exists already in the case of pp collisions, but that its relative intensity could be small, here we use the Event Shape Analysis to show that it is possible to identify and select well defined event topologies in pp collisions, among which a double hump structure for the away-side jet emerges. Using two shape parameters, the sphericity in the transverse plane and the recoil to analyze a sample of PYTHIA generated pp collisions at  GeV, we show that this structure corresponds to two jets emitted in the backward hemisphere. Finally, we show that Q-PYTHIA qualitatively reproduces the decrease in the yield of dijet events and the increase of the double hump structure in the away side observed in heavy-ion collisions. The implications for the treatment of parton energy loss in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.     

New target transverse spin dependent azimuthal asymmetries from COMPASS experiment

In general, eight target transverse spin-dependent azimuthal modulations are allowed in semi inclusive deep inelastic scattering of polarized leptons on a transversely polarized target. In the QCD parton model four of these asymmetries can be interpreted within the leading order approach. Two of them, namely Collins and Sivers effects were already measured by HERMES and COMPASS experiments. Other two leading twist and remaining four azimuthal asymmetries which can be interpreted as twist-three contributions have been measured for the first time in COMPASS using a 160 GeV/c longitudinally polarized (P _l }~ −0.8) muon beam and a transversely polarized ⁶LiD target. We present here the preliminary results from the 2002–2004 data. on behalf of the COMPASS collaboration     

Generalized parton distributions from hadronic observables: non-zero skewness

We propose a physically motivated parameterization for the unpolarized generalized parton distributions, H and E, valid at both zero and non-zero values of the skewness variable, ζ. Our approach follows a previous detailed study of the ζ=0 case where H and E were determined using constraints from simultaneous fits of the experimental data on both the nucleon elastic form factors and the deep inelastic structure functions in the non-singlet sector. Additional constraints at ζ≠0 are provided by lattice calculations of the higher moments of generalized parton distributions. We illustrate a method for extracting generalized parton distributions from lattice moments based on a reconstruction using sets of orthogonal polynomials. The inclusion in our fit of data on Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering is also discussed. Our method provides a step towards an extraction of generalized distributions based on a global fit of the available data within the given set of constraints.     

Upsilonium polarization as a touchstone in understanding the parton dynamics in QCD

In the framework of the k _t-factorization approach, the production of γ mesons at the Fermilab Tevatron and CERN LHC is considered, and the predictions on the spin alignment parameter a are presented. We argue that measuring the polarization of quarkonium states can serve as a crucial test discriminating two competing theoretical approaches to parton dynamics in QCD. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Pion production in dAu collisions at RHIC energy

We present our results on neutral pion (π⁰) production in pp and dAu collisions at RHIC energy. Pion spectra are calculated in a next-to-leading order (NLO) perturbative QCD-based model. The model includes the transverse component of the initial parton distribution (“intrinsic k_T”). We compare our results to the available experimental data from RHIC, and fit the data with high precision. The calculation tuned this way is repeated for the dAu collision, and used to investigate the interplay of shadowing and multiple scattering at RHIC. The centrality dependence of the nuclear modification factor shows a measurable difference between different shadowing parameterizations.     

Testing the scale dependence of the scale factor σ eff in double dijet production at the LHC

The scale factor σ _eff is the effective cross section used to characterize the measured rate of inclusive double dijet production in high-energy hadron collisions. It is sensitive to the two-parton distributions in the hadronic projectile. In principle, the scale factor depends on the center of mass energy and on the minimal transverse energy E _T,min? of the jets contributing to the double dijet cross section. Here, we point out that proton–proton collisions at the LHC will provide for the first time experimental access to these scale dependences in a logarithmically wide, nominally perturbative kinematic range 10?E _T,min??100 GeV. This constrains the dependence of two-parton distribution functions on parton momentum fractions and parton localization in impact parameter space. Novel information is to be expected about the transverse growth of hadronic distribution functions in the range of semi-hard Bjorken x (0.001?x?0.1) and high resolution Q ². We discuss to what extent one can disentangle different pictures of the x-evolution of two-parton distributions in the transverse plane by measuring double-hard scattering events at the LHC.