Perturbative description of inclusive single hadron production at HERA

TL;DR

This paper uses next-to-leading order perturbative calculations with fragmentation functions to describe inclusive single hadron production at HERA, confirming universality and improving the model by including hadron mass effects.

Contribution

It introduces a perturbative approach with hadron mass effects to better describe HERA data, extending previous models.

Findings

Good agreement at large Q^2 and intermediate x_p

Universality of fragmentation functions confirmed

Improved description at small x_p and Q^2 with mass effects

Abstract

Light charged hadron production data in the current fragmentation region at HERA are calculated using next-to-leading order perturbative calculations and fragmentation functions obtained from similar data from e+ e- reactions. General good agreement is found at large photon virtuality Q^2 and intermediate momentum fraction x_p, consistent with fragmentation function universality. The description of the small x_p and Q^2 region is improved by incorporating hadron mass effects.