Production of $η_Q$ meson at LHC

TL;DR

This work analyzes inclusive η_c and η_b production at the LHC within the NRQCD framework, testing whether a color-singlet–dominant description suffices with a modest color-octet contribution. By fitting the CO LDME to LHCb η_c data and using $|R(0)|^2\approx 0.58\,\mathrm{GeV}^3$ for the CS LDME, the authors reproduce the measured cross sections and $p_T$ distributions and provide predictions for CMS and ATLAS. They also estimate η_b production using dimensional scaling, finding a small CO contribution (~2%) and offering cross-section predictions across detectors. The results support NRQCD viability for η_c, enable cross-detector validation, and set expectations for η_b production at the LHC.

Abstract

The paper is devoted to theoretical consideration of inclusive $η_{c,b}$ meson production at LHC. It is shown that existing experimental data on $η_c$ meson production at LHCb detector can be described in the framework of NRQCD formalism and color-singlet component with phenomenological value of matrix element $|R(0)|^2$ gives main contribution. Using this model we present theoretical prediction for integrated cross sections and transverse momentum distributions for inclusive $η_c$ production at other LHC detectors. The case of $η_b$ meson production at LHC is also considered.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Transverse momentum distribution in $pp\to\eta_c+X$ (left figure) and $pp\to\eta_b+X$ (right figure) at LHCb. Solid black, blue, and dashed black lines in the left figure correspond to total, CS and $S$-wave CO cross actions respectively, experimental data are taken from Aaij:2014bga.