Proton-proton correlation function for the pp -> pp + eta and pp -> pp + pions reactions

TL;DR

This paper applies correlation femtoscopy to measure two-proton correlations in meson production reactions, revealing differences in correlation functions for eta and pion production, and contrasting with heavy ion collision results.

Contribution

It is the first application of correlation femtoscopy to kinematically complete meson production measurements in hadron collisions.

Findings

The correlation function shape differs between eta and pion production.

No peak structure observed in the correlation functions.

Results contrast with heavy ion collision measurements.

Abstract

For the very first time, the correlation femtoscopy method is applied to a kinematically complete measurement of meson production in the collisions of hadrons. The shape of the two-proton correlation function derived for the pp -> ppeta reaction differs from that for the pp -> pp(pions) and both do not show a peak structure opposite to results determined for inclusive measurements of heavy ion collisions.