Two-proton correlation function: a gentle introduction

TL;DR

This paper provides a clear, pedagogical introduction to calculating two-proton correlation functions, motivated by recent experimental measurements in proton-proton reactions involving eta production.

Contribution

It offers a straightforward, practical methodology for theoretical calculation of two-proton correlation functions, filling a gap in accessible educational resources.

Findings

Introduces practical methods for correlation function calculation

Connects theory with recent experimental data

Serves as an educational resource for researchers

Abstract

The recent COSY-11 collaboration measurement of the two-proton correlation function in the pp -> ppeta reaction, reported at this meeting [1], arouse some interest in a simple theoretical description of the correlation function. In these notes we present a pedagogical introduction to the practical methods that can be used for calculating the correlation function.