A generator of forward neutrons for ultra-peripheral collisions: $\textbf{n$\mathbf{_O^O}$n}$

TL;DR

The paper introduces the extbf{n$ extbf{_O^O}$n} Monte Carlo program for simulating neutron production in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions, facilitating better modeling of electromagnetic dissociation events at RHIC and the LHC.

Contribution

It presents a new ROOT-based Monte Carlo tool that generates neutron events from electromagnetic dissociation, compatible with existing vector meson production generators and experimental simulation frameworks.

Findings

The program accurately models neutron production in UPC events.

It can be integrated with current experimental and theoretical tools.

Enhances the simulation capabilities for photonuclear processes in heavy-ion collisions.

Abstract

The study of photon-induced reactions in collisions of heavy nuclei at RHIC and the LHC has become an important direction of the research program of these facilities in recent years. In particular, the production of vector mesons in ultra-peripheral collisions (UPC) has been intensively studied. Owing to the intense photon fluxes, the two nuclei participating in such processes undergo electromagnetic dissociation producing neutrons at beam rapidities. Here, we introduce the $\textbf{n$\mathbf{_O^O}$n}$ (pronounced noon) Monte Carlo program, which generates events containing such neutrons. $\textbf{n$\mathbf{_O^O}$n}$ is a ROOT based program that can be interfaced with existing generators of vector meson production in UPC or with theoretical calculations of such photonuclear processes. $\textbf{n$\mathbf{_O^O}$n}$ can also be easily integrated with the simulation programs of the experiments at RHIC and the LHC.