Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2402.02860

Constraining kaon PDFs from Drell-Yan and $J/ψ$ production

Abstract

The kaon parton distribution functions (PDFs) are poorly known due to paucity of kaon-induced Drell-Yan data. Nevertheless, these Drell-Yan data suggest a softer valence $u$ quark distribution of kaon than that of pion. We discuss the opportunity to constrain kaon PDFs utilizing existing kaon-induced $J/ψ$ production data. We compare the $K^- / π^-$ and $K^+ / π^+$ cross-section ratio data with calculations based on two global-fit parametrizations and two recent theoretical predictions for the kaon and pion PDFs, and test the results with two quarkonium production models. The $K^- / π^-$ cross-section ratio for $J/ψ$ production provides independent evidence of different valence quark distributions in pion and kaon. The $K^+ / π^+$ $J/ψ$ data are found to be sensitive to the gluon distribution in kaon. We show that these $J/ψ$ production data provide valuable constraints for evaluating the adequacy of currently available sets of kaon PDFs.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Wen-Chen Chang, Jen-Chieh Peng, Stephane Platchkov, Takahiro Sawada. 2024-06-28. Constraining kaon PDFs from Drell-Yan and $J/ψ$ production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2024.138820

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

First constraints on QCD axion dark matter using James Webb Space Telescope observations

We present the first constraints on QCD axion dark matter using measurements from the James Webb Space Telescope. By utilizing publicly available MIRI and NIRSpec blank-sky observations, originally collected for sky subtraction purposes, we derive strong limits on the axion-photon coupling constant $g_{a γγ}$ in the mass range 0.1-4 eV. This analysis underscores the potential of blank-sky observations as a powerful tool for constraining dark matter models and demonstrates how astrophysical missions can be repurposed for particle physics research.

hep-ph

Interplay between Electroweak Symmetry Breaking and Higgs Portal Dark Matter

Models of Dark Matter must contend with the fact that the presence of electroweak symmetry breaking along the thermal evolution of the Universe modifies the masses, interactions and, thus, the thermally averaged cross sections. We study in detail the impact of taking (not taking) the presence of the electroweak symmetry breaking into account in the calculations of the Dark Matter relic density in Higgs portal models, providing a model-independent measure of such differences. By focusing on a particular model, we show that ignoring this effect can lead to the inclusion (exclusion) of wrong (viable) regions of parameter space.

hep-ph

Sensitivity Analysis of Singlet Vector-Like B Quarks via Photon-Induced and Z-Initiated Processes at FCC-$μp$

This study presents a systematic sensitivity analysis of singlet-type vector-like $B$ quark production at an FCC--$μp$ collider with a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=24.5~\mathrm{TeV}$ through photon- and $Z$-initiated production mechanisms. The analysis focuses on the $B\to Zb$ decay channel, considering the leptonic decay of the $Z$ boson and the hadronic decay of the accompanying $W$ boson, leading to the final state $\ell^+\ell^-bjj$. Detector-resolution effects are incorporated through a simplified Gaussian smearing procedure, and the discovery and exclusion sensitivities are evaluated using an Asimov-based statistical framework. For the photon-induced channel, the most favourable sensitivity is obtained for $R_L=0.05$ and $\mathcal{L}=1000~\mathrm{fb^{-1}}$. Over the mass range $M_B=2$--$3~\mathrm{TeV}$, the expected $5σ$ discovery reach is approximately $g^\ast\simeq0.263$--$0.328$, while the $95\%$ C.L. exclusion sensitivity extends to $g^\ast\simeq0.162$--$0.197$. On the other hand, the $Z$-initiated channel provides a substantially stronger sensitivity and extends the investigated mass range up to $M_B=4.5~\mathrm{TeV}$. For $R_L=0.05$ and $\mathcal{L}=500~\mathrm{fb^{-1}}$, the $5σ$ discovery reach is approximately $g^\ast\simeq0.038$--$0.056$, while the corresponding $95\%$ C.L. exclusion sensitivity reaches $g^\ast\simeq0.021$--$0.032$. These results demonstrate that photon- and $Z$-initiated single production at an FCC--$μp$ collider provide complementary probes of heavy vector-like $B$ quarks. Moreover, the $Z$-initiated channel offers particularly strong sensitivity to small effective couplings in the multi-TeV mass region beyond the present direct LHC reach.

hep-ph