Single inclusive particle production in pA collisions at forward rapidities: beyond the hybrid model

TL;DR

This paper revises the theoretical framework for calculating forward inclusive single hadron production in proton-nucleus collisions, advocating for the use of TMD factorization over collinear factorization at next-to-leading order.

Contribution

It demonstrates that TMD factorization is the appropriate approach for NLO calculations in pA collisions, challenging previous assumptions of collinear factorization.

Findings

TMD factorization is necessary for accurate NLO calculations.

Collinear factorization is insufficient beyond leading order.

Provides a revised theoretical framework for forward particle production.

Abstract

In this contribution we reconsider the calculation at next-to-leading order of forward inclusive single hadron production in $pA$ collisions within the hybrid approach. We conclude that the proper framework to compute this cross section beyond leading order is not collinear factorization as assumed so far, but the TMD factorized framework.