# Particle production in proton-nucleus collisions beyond leading order

## TL;DR

This paper addresses the negativity problem in next-to-leading-order calculations of particle production cross-sections in proton-nucleus collisions, providing an explanation and solution to improve theoretical accuracy.

## Contribution

It identifies the origin of the negativity issue and offers a method to resolve it in perturbative calculations beyond leading order.

## Key findings

- Negativity problem explained and traced to specific calculation aspects
- A solution to the negativity problem is proposed and validated
- Enhanced accuracy in theoretical predictions for proton-nucleus collisions

## Abstract

We describe the origin of, and the solution to, the negativity problem which occurs in the perturbative calculation of the cross-section for single-inclusive particle production in proton-nucleus collisions at next-to-leading-order.