The interaction region of high energy protons

TL;DR

This paper examines the shape and energy evolution of the interaction region in high energy proton collisions, revealing a unique inelastic collision shape that saturates at 7 TeV, challenging the traditional black disk model.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of the impact parameter space in proton collisions, highlighting a peculiar shape and saturation behavior at high energies.

Findings

Inelastic collision region has a unique shape.

Saturation occurs at 7 TeV for central collisions.

Contrasts with the traditional black disk picture.

Abstract

The spatial view of the interaction region of colliding high energy protons (in terms of impact parameter) is considered. It is shown that the region of inelastic collisions has a very peculiar shape. It saturates for central collisions at an energy of 7 TeV. We speculate on the further evolution with energy, which is contrasted to the "black disk" picture.