QCD analysis of Lambda hyperon production in DIS target-fragmentation region

TL;DR

This paper develops a QCD-based framework using fracture functions to analyze Lambda hyperon production in the target region of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering, successfully predicting data and validating the perturbative approach.

Contribution

It introduces the first simultaneous QCD fit to fracture functions for Lambda production, revealing their flavor and energy dependence and validating the theoretical framework.

Findings

Good agreement with existing data

Successful prediction of Lambda multiplicity $Q^2$ dependence

First validation of fracture functions in this context

Abstract

We consider Lambda-hyperon production in the target-fragmentation region of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering within the framework of fracture functions. We present a first attempt to determine the flavour and energy dependences of these non-perturbative distributions through a simultaneous QCD-based fit to available neutral- and charged-current semi-inclusive-DIS cross sections. Predictions based on the resulting nucleon-to-Lambda fracture functions are in good agreement with data and observables not included in the regression. The successful prediction of the $Q^2$ dependence of the Lambda multiplicity notably represents the first validation of the perturbative framework implied by fracture functions.