Dynamically generated parton distributions for high energy collisions

The parton distributions of the nucleon are evaluated dynamically using the assumption that at some low resolution scale the nucleon consists entirely of valence quarks. A simple parametrization of the resulting gluon distribution is presented, forx? 10^?5 up toQ ²?10⁶ GeV². This gluon distribution is predicted dicted to be much steeper and larger in the very smallx region (x<10^?2) than usually assumed. Applications to deep inelastic scaling violations and heavy quark (c, b, t) contribution are discussed and presented as well as hadronic heavy quark production at SSC/LHC energies. For example, the \(b\bar b\) production rate at 40 TeV is predicted to be about an order of magnitude larger than that estimated with other gluon distributions so far.     

Radiatively generated parton distributions for high energy collisions

The gluon and antiquark distributions of the nucleon are generated radiatively using the assumption that at some low resolution scale the nucleon consists entirely of valence quarks and valence-like gluons. The agreement between the uniquely predicted gluon and sea distributions and the available data on deep inelastic structure functions (including also recent low-Q ² measurements) and direct-photon production is demonstrated and discussed in detail. Simple parametrizations of the resulting (positive definite!) parton distributions are presented in the range 10^?4?x≦1 and 0.2?Q ²?10⁶ GeV² as obtained according to the leading- and higher-order renormalization group evolution equations.     

A model for multiplicity distributions in high energy collisions

A phenomenological model is presented which regards the system after collision as a single entity that emits hadrons directly. The evolution of this entity gives a new two parameter distribution which fits the high energypp, \(\bar pp\) ,e ⁺ e ^?, π⁺ p andK ⁺ p data reasonably well. The entity emits hadrons along the rapidity axis and exhibits intermittency behaviour under certain conditions.     

Negative binomial multiplicity distributions in high energy hadron collisions

We examine the 2⁺⁺ gluonium spectrum in the framework of the Gauss-Weierstrass and Finite Energy QCD sum rules. The results of our analysis support the interpretation of the θ(1710) as a tensor glueball, but they also suggest the existence of at least another state with a massM?2 GeV and a width of about 200 MeV.     

Study of charged multiplicity distributions in high energy particle collisions

Data on hadron-proton collisions ranging from 1 to 300 GeV/c in incident momentum show evidence for an energy-dependent approach to a single semi-inclusive scaling curve for the charged multiplicity cross sections as predicted by Koba, Nielsen and Olesen. The onset of this scaling behavior is shown to depend on the initial state hadrons. The relation between the onset of this apparent scaling and the approach to a constant value of 〈n〉/D is suggestive of a two-component process.     

Parton distributions for LO generators

We present a study of the results obtained by combining LO partonic matrix elements with either LO or NLO parton distributions. These are compared to the best prediction using NLO for both matrix elements and parton distributions. The aim is to determine which parton distributions are most appropriate to use in those cases where only LO matrix elements are available, e.g. as in many Monte Carlo generators. Both LO and NLO parton distributions have flaws, sometimes serious, for some processes, so a modified optimal LO set is suggested. We investigate a wide variety of processes, and the new modified LO* PDF works at least as well as, and often better than, both LO and NLO PDFs in nearly all cases.     

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.     

Parton distributions in hadrons

We use the statistical model of Zhang et al. [Y.-J. Zhang, B. Zhang, B.-Q. Ma, Phys. Lett. B 523 (2001) 260; Y.-J. Zhang, B.-S. Zou, L.-M. Yang, Phys. Lett. B 528 (2002) 228; Y.-J. Zhang, W.-Z. Deng, B.-Q. Ma, Phys. Rev. D 65 (2002) 114005] to calculate parton distributions in hadrons. The model does reasonably well in predicting the distributions of partons in the proton, including the excess in the proton sea. We extend the model to calculate quark and gluon distributions in the pion, kaon, lambda and the pentaquark. The hadrons are described in terms of a Fock expansion in quark and gluon states. Detailed balance between each pair of states is assumed, from which the coefficients of the Fock state expansion are determined. The parton distribution functions are found in the hadron rest frame from a Monte Carlo calculation. The results are evolved to appropriate QCD scales for comparison with experiment. This project has included significant participation by undergraduates at Seattle University, made possible by support from the Research in Undergraduate Institutions Program of the National Science Foundation.     

Parton distributions from lattice QCD

We extract the x dependence of the valence nonsinglet u - d distribution function in the nucleon from the lowest few moments calculated on the lattice, using an extrapolation formula which ensures the correct behavior in the chiral and heavy quark limits. We discuss the implications for the quark mass dependence of meson masses lying on the J^PC = 1^{– -} Regge trajectory.     

Parton distributions in the photon

We discuss in detail the photon structure function beyond the leading logarithm approximation. Of special concern is the factorization scheme and the hadronic input; we show how to naturally absorb large terms due to the factorization scheme in a modified hadronic component. The effect of the charm quark mass threshold is also discussed in relation to the phenomenology. A comparison with data shows that the modified hadronic component can be reasonably described by a VDM-type input.URA 14-36 du CNRS, associée à l'Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, et au Laboratoire d'Annecy-le-Vieux de Physique des Particules     

Parton distributions incorporating QED contributions

We perform a global parton analysis of deep inelastic and related hard-scattering data, including corrections to the parton evolution. Although the quality of the fit is essentially unchanged, there are two important physical consequences. First, the different DGLAP evolution of u and d type quarks introduces isospin violation, i.e. , which is found to be unambiguously in the direction to reduce the NuTeV anomaly. A second consequence is the appearance of photon parton distributions of the proton and the neutron. In principle these can be measured at HERA via the deep inelastic scattering processes ; our predictions are in agreement with the present data.Received: 3 November 2004, Published online: 11 January 2005R.S. Thorne: Royal Society University Research Fellow.