Color dipole predictions for the exclusive vector meson photoproduction in $pp/pPb/PbPb$ collisions at Run 2 LHC energies

TL;DR

This paper uses the Color Dipole formalism to predict exclusive vector meson production in proton-proton, proton-lead, and lead-lead collisions at LHC Run 2 energies, comparing models with experimental data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis with updated phenomenological models for dipole-proton scattering, incorporating recent data and discussing wave function modeling impacts.

Findings

Predicted rapidity distributions and cross sections for various vector mesons.

Estimated theoretical uncertainties in the Color Dipole predictions.

Comparison shows reasonable agreement with experimental results.

Abstract

In this paper we present a comprehensive analysis of exclusive vector meson photoproduction in $pp$, $pPb$ and $PbPb$ collisions at Run 2 LHC energies using the Color Dipole formalism. The rapidity distributions and total cross sections for the $\rho$, $\phi$, $J/\Psi$, $\Psi (2S)$ and $\Upsilon$ production are estimated considering the more recent phenomenological models for the dipole - proton scattering amplitude, which are based on the Color Glass Condensate formalism and are able to describe the inclusive and exclusive $ep$ HERA data. Moreover, we also discuss the impact of the modelling of the vector meson wave functions on the predictions. The current theoretical uncertainty in the Color Dipole predictions is estimated and a comparison with the experimental results is performed.