A simple shower and matching algorithm

We present a simple formalism for parton-shower Markov chains. As a first step towards more complete uncertainty bands, we incorporate a comprehensive exploration of the ambiguities inherent in such calculations. To reduce this uncertainty, we then introduce a matching formalism which allows a generated event sample to simultaneously reproduce any infrared safe distribution calculated at leading or next-to-leading order in perturbation theory, up to sub-leading corrections. To enable a more universal definition of perturbative calculations, we also propose a more general definition of the hadronization cutoff. Finally, we present an implementation of some of these ideas for final-state gluon showers, in a code dubbed VINCIA.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure

Reggeon and pion contributions in semi-exclusive diffractive processes at HERA

A detailed analysis of semi-exclusive diffractive processes in e-p DIS at HERA, with the diffractive final states in the forward direction is presented. The contributions of the subleading f_2, \omega, a_2, \rho reggeons and the pion exchanges to the diffractive structure function with the forward proton or neutron are estimated. It is found that the (a_2,\rho) reggeons are entirely responsible for the forward neutron production at x_P < 10^{-3}. The \pi N production in the forward region is estimated using the Deck mechanism. The significance of this reaction for the processes measured at HERA, especially with the leading neutron, is discussed.Comment: Strongly revised version accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.D. Latex, 14 pages with 5 eps figures include

Investigating the high energy QCD approaches for prompt photon production at the LHC

We investigate the rapidity and transverse momentum distributions of the prompt photon production at the CERN LHC energies considering the current perturbative QCD approaches for this scattering process. Namely, we compare the predictions from the usual NLO pQCD calculations to the the color dipole formalism, using distinct dipole cross sections. Special attention is paid to parton saturation models at high energies, which are expected to be important at the forward rapidities in pp collisions at the LHC.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Hard and Electro-Magnetic Probes of High-Energy Nuclear Collisions (Hard Probes 2008), 8-14 June 2008, Illa da Toxa (Galicia-Spain). Talk presented by M.V.T. Machad

Photon production in high energy proton-nucleus collisions

We calculate the photon production cross-section in $pA$ collisions under the assumption that the nucleus has reached the saturation regime, while the proton can be described by the standard parton distribution functions. We show that due to the strong classical field $O(1/g)$ of the nucleus, bremsstrahlung diagrams become dominant over the direct photon diagrams. In particular, we show that $\gamma-$jet transverse momentum spectrum and correlations are very sensitive to gluon saturation effects in the nucleus.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figure

Next-to-Leading Order Hard Scattering Using Fully Unintegrated Parton Distribution Functions

We calculate the next-to-leading order fully unintegrated hard scattering coefficient for unpolarized gluon-induced deep inelastic scattering using the logical framework of parton correlation functions developed in previous work. In our approach, exact four-momentum conservation is maintained throughout the calculation. Hence, all non-perturbative functions, like parton distribution functions, depend on all components of parton four-momentum. In contrast to the usual collinear factorization approach where the hard scattering coefficient involves generalized functions (such as Dirac $\delta$-functions), the fully unintegrated hard scattering coefficient is an ordinary function. Gluon-induced deep inelastic scattering provides a simple illustration of the application of the fully unintegrated factorization formalism with a non-trivial hard scattering coefficient, applied to a phenomenologically interesting case. Furthermore, the gluon-induced process allows for a parameterization of the fully unintegrated gluon distribution function.Comment: 22 pages, Typos Fixed, Reference Added, Minor Clarification Adde

The colour dipole approach to small-x processes

We explain why it is possible to formulate a wide variety of high energy (small-x) photon-proton processes in terms of a universal dipole cross section and compare and contrast various parameterizations of this function that exist in the literature.Comment: 6 pages, latex, 2 figures. Contribution to Durham Collider Workshop (Sept 99) proceeding

Constrained MC for QCD evolution with rapidity ordering and minimum kT

With the imminent start of LHC experiments, development of phenomenological tools, and in particular the Monte Carlo programs and algorithms, becomes urgent. A new algorithm for the generation of a parton shower initiated by the single initial hadron beam is presented. The new algorithm is of the class of the so called ``constrained MC'' type algorithm (an alternative to the backward evolution MC algorithm), in which the energy and the type of the parton at the end of the parton shower are constrained (predefined). The complete kinematics configurations with explicitly constructed four momenta are generated and tested. Evolution time is identical with rapidity and minimum transverse momentum is used as an infrared cut-off. All terms of the leading-logarithmic approximation in the DGLAP evolution are properly accounted for. In addition, the essential improvements towards the so-called CCFM/BFKL models are also properly implemented. The resulting parton distributions are cross-checked up to the 0.1% precision level with the help of a multitude of comparisons with other MC and non-MC programs. We regard these tests as an important asset to be exploited at the time when the presented MC will enter as a building block in a larger MC program for W/Z production process at LHC.Comment: Submitted to Computer Physics Communication

Markovian MC simulation of QCD evolution at NLO level with minimum k_T

We present two Monte Carlo algorithms of the Markovian type which solve the modified QCD evolution equations at the NLO level. The modifications with respect to the standard DGLAP evolution concern the argument of the strong coupling constant alpha_S. We analyze the z - dependent argument and then the k_T - dependent one. The evolution time variable is identified with the rapidity. The two algorithms are tested to the 0.05% precision level. We find that the NLO corrections in the evolution of parton momentum distributions with k_T - dependent coupling constant are of the order of 10 to 20%, and in a small x region even up to 30%, with respect to the LO contributions.Comment: 32 pages, 9 pdf figure

Cronin Effect in Hadron Production off Nuclei

Recent data from RHIC for high-$p_T$ hadrons in gold-gold collisions raised again the long standing problem of quantitatively understanding the Cronin effect, i.e. nuclear enhancement of high-$p_T$ hadrons due to multiple interactions in nuclear matter. In nucleus-nucleus collisions this effect has to be reliably calculated as baseline for a signal of new physics in high-$p_T$ hadron production. The only possibility to test models is to compare with available data for $pA$ collisions, however, all existing models for the Cronin effect rely on a fit to the data to be explained. We develop a phenomenological description based on the light-cone QCD-dipole approach which allows to explain available data without fitting to them and to provide predictions for $pA$ collisions at RHIC and LHC. We point out that the mechanism causing Cronin effect drastically changes between the energies of fixed target experiments and RHIC-LHC. High-$p_T$ hadrons are produced incoherently on different nucleons at low energies, whereas the production amplitudes interfere if the energy is sufficiently high.Comment: the final version to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Geometric Scaling in Inclusive Charm Production

We show that the cross section for inclusive charm production exhibits geometric scaling in a large range of photon virtualities. In the HERA kinematic domain the saturation momentum $Q_{sat}^2(x)$ stays below the hard scale $\mu_c^2=4m_c^2$, implying charm production probing mostly the color transparency regime and unitarization effects being almost negligible. We derive our results considering two saturation models which are able to describe the DESY ep collider HERA data for the proton structure function at small values of the Bjorken variable $x$. A striking feature is the scaling on $\tau=Q_2^2/Q_{sat}^2(x)$ above saturation limit, corroborating recent theoretical studies.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Version to be published in Physical Review Letter