On the universality of quark jet fragmentation

Universality of inclusive fragmentation density functions in lepton induced processes (ep, νp, e⁺e^?) and purely hadronic processes is discussed from the point of view of the Topological Expansion/Dual Unitarization Scheme. It is shown that planar, single jet dominated processes have universal inclusive distributions and average multiplicities. In multi-jet processes, treated in a simple approximation, 〈x〉 is inversely proportional to the number N of jets and the magnitude of the seagull effect increases as N².     

Jets in small-pT hadronic collisions,universality of quark fragmentation,and rising rapidity plateaus

We consider a two-rapidity-chain fragmentation model for small-p_T hadronic collisions based on the dual topological approach. This model, when supplemented by the universality of quark fragmentation functions, accounts for the energy and x-dependence of all available one particle inclusive data. The model provides a novel explanation for the rise of hadronic plateaus with energy.     

Spin dependence of heavy quark fragmentation

We propose that the non-perturbative part of the fragmentation function describing the transition from a heavy quark to a heavy meson is proportional to the square of the produced meson wave function at the origin, taking into account hyperfine interactions. We analyze the effects of this proposal on the number of pseudoscalar mesons compared to the number of vector mesons produced and find a good agreement with experimental data. Finally, we discuss further experimental checks for our hypothesis.     

Test of the universality of naive-time-reversal-odd fragmentation functions

We investigate the "spontaneous" hyperon transverse polarization in e+ e- annihilation and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes as a test of the universality of the naive-time-reversal-odd transverse momentum dependent fragmentation functions. We find that universality implies definite sign relations among various observables. This provides a unique opportunity to study initial or final state interaction effects in the fragmentation process and test the associated factorization.     

Modelling quark distribution and fragmentation functions

The representation of quark distribution and fragmentation functions in terms of non-local operators is combined with a simple spectator model. This allows us to estimate these functions for the nucleon and the pion ensuring correct crossing and support properties. We give estimates for the unpolarized functions as well as for the polarized ones and for subleading (higher twist) functions. Furthermore, we can study several relations that are consequences of Lorentz invariance and of C, P, and T invariance of the strong interactions.     

Coherent versus incoherent quark fragmentation picture

We study the helicity density matrix of vector mesons produced ine ⁺ e ^? interactions at high energies through the two step process \(e^ + e^ - \to q\bar q \to VX\) . Whereas in the usual incoherent fragmentation picture in which each quark decays independently, ρ(V) is predicted to be diagonal, we find that final state interactions (coherent fragmentation) give rise to a non-vanishing ρ_1-1(V). Various corrections to the standard picture such as, e.g., gluon bremsstrahlung, quark masses, transverse momenta, are shown to be small. Therefore, any significant non-zero value of ρ_1-1(V) found experimentally can be considered as a clear measurement of coherence effects.     

Gluon fragmentation functions from quark jets

The analysis of events with a fixed, different from unity, fraction of energy flowing into a solid angle ΔΩ can be used to extract the probability functions related to the scaling violations of deep inelastic scattering. One can obtain from the study of a quark jet, both the gluon and the quark fragmentation functions into hadrons.     

Dynamical connections between quark fragmentation functions

Assuming that the quark kicked by a virtual photon emits pions one by one, integral equations connecting the fragmentation functions D_u^π+ (z) and D_u^π? (z) are obtained. It is shown that they have a plateau the height of which can be determined from the multiplicity difference N_p^π+ (z) ? N_p^π? (z). Comparison with experiment is made.     

A semiclassical model for quark jet fragmentation

A semiclassical model is presented for the way the energy of a fast quark is transformed into observable hadrons. It reproduces the features of 1+1 dimensional QED (the Schwinger model) concerning a flat rapidity distribution in the central region. It also reproduces results from phenomenological considerations, which, based upon scaling, predict that meson formation in the fragmentation region can be described by an iterative scheme, implying a set of coupled integral equations. In particular the model predicts that the probability to find a meson containing the leading quark is independent of the Feynman scaling variablez. The iterative structure corresponds to a Brownian motion with relevance both to the confinement problems and to the distribution of mass in the quark jet.     

A quark parton model for hadronic fragmentation distributions

The one-particle inclusive distributions in the fragmentation regions in hadronic interactions are described in a parameter free way by a simple additative quark parton model by means of the quark fragmentation functions measured in leptoproduction. We interpret the result so that while the main interaction in hadronic collisions is due to the wee partons almost all the momenta is carried by one of the valence quarks yielding fragmentation region distributions similar to the ones in leptoproduction.     

Hadron fragmentation at high energies and quark constituents

The systematics of particle ratios in high-energy pp collisions suggest that the same constituent partons are active in the production of particles at small and large transverse momentum p_T. We relate various features of the pion spectra at small p_T in the fragmentation region and in the central region of pp collisions to corresponding features observed in ep and en collisions assuming that the dissociation of the proton into quark partons is the common underlying process.     

Study of highp ⊥ quark and gluon jet fragmentation

The fragmentation properties of highp _⊥ jets are investigated using new data from the ISR and the SPS collider. Effects from gluon radiation are clearly demonstrated by comparison with a state-of-the-art model inlcuding QCD parton cascade evolution and string hadronization, which gives in general good agreement with the data. Differences between quark and gluon jets are discussed as well asQ ₂-dependent scaling violation effects.     

Perturbative vs. non-perturbative scaling violation in quark fragmentation

We investigate the approach to scaling for non-perturbative quark fragmentation in the frame-work of the uncorrelated jet model. It is found that subasymptotic kinematic scale breaking is comparable in size to scaling violations from hard gluon emission a la QCD. Experimental data available at present do allow for such non-perturbative scale breaking effects.