Multiple scattering and energy loss in semi-inclusive deeply inelastic eA scattering

TL;DR

This paper investigates how multiple scattering affects single hadron production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering off nuclei, revealing suppression effects linked to energy loss and quantum interference.

Contribution

It introduces a calculation of multiple scattering effects that relate suppression to a shift in the fragmentation function, extending understanding of energy loss in nuclear media.

Findings

Suppression in hadron production due to quantum interference

Approximate expression of suppression as a shift in fragmentation function

Comparison with experimental data supports the model

Abstract

We calculate the multiple scattering effect on single hadron production in semi-inclusive lepton-nucleus deeply inelastic scattering. We show that the quantum interference of multiple scattering amplitudes leads to suppression in hadron productions. At the leading power in medium length, the suppression can be approximately expressed in terms of a shift in $z$ of the fragmentation function $D(z)$, and could be therefore interpreted as the collisional energy loss. We compare our calculation with existing experimental data. We also discuss the effect of quark mass on the suppression. Our approach can be extended to other observables in hadronic collisions.