Comments on low mass dissociation at the LHC in the context of the discrepancy between the ATLAS and TOTEM measurements of $\sigma_{tot}$

TL;DR

This paper estimates low mass dissociation cross sections at the LHC, compares them with Monte Carlo models used by TOTEM, and discusses implications for measurements of total cross sections, highlighting significant discrepancies.

Contribution

It provides a data-driven estimate of low mass dissociation cross sections and compares it to existing Monte Carlo models, revealing notable differences and their potential impact.

Findings

Significant differences between data-driven estimates and QGSJET-II-03 model.

Implications for the accuracy of total cross section measurements.

Discussion of possible consequences for LHC experiments.

Abstract

The cross section for low mass dissociation at LHC energies is estimated in a partly data driven approach. The result is compared to the Monte Carlo estimate from the QGSJET-II-03 model used by the TOTEM experiment in the determination of $\sigma_{tot}$ via the luminosity-independent method. Significant differences are found and possible consequences are explored and discussed.