Centrality dependence of forward $J/\psi$ suppression in high energy proton-nucleus collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the suppression of forward $J/$ mesons in proton-nucleus collisions varies with collision centrality, using the Color Glass Condensate framework and comparing results with recent LHC data.

Contribution

It extends previous CGC-based models by analyzing the centrality dependence of $J/$ suppression and compares predictions with experimental data.

Findings

Model reproduces the centrality dependence observed in LHC data.

Gluon saturation effects are significant in forward $J/$ production.

Centrality influences nuclear suppression patterns.

Abstract

The production of forward $J/\psi$ mesons in proton-nucleus collisions can provide important information on gluon saturation. In a previous work we studied this process in the Color Glass Condensate framework, describing the target using a dipole cross section fitted to HERA inclusive data and extrapolated to the case of a nuclear target using the optical Glauber model. In this work we study the centrality dependence of the nuclear suppression in this model and compare our results with recent LHC data for this observable.