Forward-backward multiplicity correlations at the LHC from independent sources

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a superposition model with independent sources can accurately describe forward-backward multiplicity correlations observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC, supporting a string-like early-stage production mechanism.

Contribution

It shows that the superposition approach with independent sources aligns with experimental data, providing a string-like interpretation of initial particle production.

Findings

Superposition model matches experimental correlations

Sources in forward and backward bins are maximally correlated

Supports string-like early-stage production mechanism

Abstract

It is argued that the superposition approach, where partons are independently emitted from longitudinally extended sources in the early stage, is fully compatible with the experimental results for the forward-backward multiplicity correlations in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=2.76 \textrm{ TeV}$. The pertinent correlation analysis is based on the PhD Thesis of Ref. [1], which includes an unpublished analysis of data taken by the ALICE Collaboration. Our calculations show that in the experimentally covered pseudorapidity range $\Delta \eta=1.2$, the initial sources in the backward and forward bins are maximally correlated, which complies to the string-like interpretation of the underlying early-stage production mechanism.