Exclusive vector meson production with a leading neutron in photon - hadron interactions at hadronic colliders

TL;DR

This paper investigates the production of vector mesons alongside leading neutrons in photon-hadron collisions at high-energy colliders, providing predictions for cross sections and distributions to enhance understanding of these processes.

Contribution

It introduces a model that describes leading neutron data and applies it to predict vector meson production in $pp$ and $pA$ collisions at RHIC and LHC energies.

Findings

Predicted cross sections for $ ho$, $$, and $J/\Psi$ with leading neutrons.

Rapidity distributions indicating feasible experimental detection.

Results suggest these processes can improve understanding of leading neutron and vector meson production.

Abstract

In this paper we study leading neutron production in photon - hadron interactions which take place in $pp$ and $pA$ collisions at large impact parameters. Using a model that describes the recent leading neutron data at HERA, we consider exclusive vector meson production in association with a leading neutron in $pp/pA$ collisions at RHIC and LHC energies. The total cross sections and rapidity distributions of $\rho$, $\phi$ and $J/\Psi$ produced together with a leading neutron are computed. Our results indicate that the study of these processes is feasible and that it can be used to improve the understanding of leading neutron processes and of exclusive vector meson production.