# Quarkonium production at the LHC: a phenomenological analysis of surprisingly simple data patterns

## TL;DR

LHC quarkonium production data exhibit a universal momentum scaling pattern across different states, suggesting a common underlying production mechanism independent of quantum numbers and mass.

## Contribution

This study reveals a universal production pattern in quarkonium data, challenging existing models by showing no dependence on quantum numbers or mass.

## Key findings

- Compatibility of various quarkonium cross sections with a universal momentum scaling
- Absence of strong polarization signals in produced S-wave mesons
- Data-driven analysis supports a universal production scenario

## Abstract

The LHC quarkonium production measurements reveal a startling observation: the J/$\psi$, $\psi$(2S), $\chi_{c1,2}$ and $\Upsilon$(nS) $p_{\rm T}$-differential cross sections are compatible with one universal momentum scaling pattern. Considering also the absence of strong polarizations of directly and indirectly produced S-wave mesons, we are led to the conclusion that there is currently no evidence of a dependence of the partonic production mechanisms on the quantum numbers and mass of the final state. The experimental observations supporting this universal production scenario are remarkably significant, as shown by a new analysis approach, unbiased by specific theoretical calculations of partonic cross sections, which are only considered a posteriori, in comparisons with the data-driven results.