Signatures of new physics versus the ridge phenomenon in hadron-hadron collisions at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores how potential new physics from hidden sectors could alter particle correlation patterns in LHC proton-proton collisions, proposing a Fourier analysis method to detect such effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to identify signatures of new physics through modifications in azimuthal correlation Fourier coefficients in high-energy collisions.

Findings

New harmonic terms in Fourier analysis could indicate hidden sector physics.

Modified correlations may serve as complementary signatures of new physics.

Method provides a potential way to detect beyond Standard Model phenomena.

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the possibility that a new stage of matter, stemming from hidden/dark sectors beyond the Standard Model, to be formed in $pp$ collisions at the LHC, can significantly modify the correlations among final-state particles. In particular, two-particle azimuthal correlations are studied by means of a Fourier series sensitive to the near-side ridge effect while assuming that hidden/dark particles decay on top of the conventional parton shower. Then, new (fractional) harmonic terms should be included in the Fourier analysis of the azimuthal anisotropies, encoding the hypothetical new physics contribution enabling its detection in a complementary way to other signatures.