Multi-parton interactions in pp collisions using charged-particle flattenicity with ALICE

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new event shape observable called flattenicity to classify pp collision events, enabling a clearer study of multi-parton interactions and collective effects without the bias of traditional multiplicity-based methods.

Contribution

The study proposes and applies flattenicity as a novel event classifier in pp collisions, improving the understanding of multi-parton interactions and small-system collectivity.

Findings

Flattenicity effectively selects minijet-enhanced events.

Particle spectra vary with flattenicity and multiplicity.

Results show differences between PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC predictions.

Abstract

Event classifiers based either on the charged-particle multiplicity or on event topologies, such as spherocity and underlying event, became very useful tools to study collective-like behaviors in small collision systems. However, multiplicity-based event classifiers were shown to bias the data sample in a way that can obscure the effects of multi-parton interactions, and, this way, make it difficult to pin down the origins of small-system collectivity. In this proceedings, the measurement of the transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) spectra of primary charged pions, kaons, (anti)protons and unidentified hadrons in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13~\mathrm{TeV}$ are reported. Events are classified using a novel event shape observable, flattenicity, that was proposed to select minijet-enhanced pp collisions. Particle production is studied as a function of flattenicity and double-differentially as a function of flattenicity and charged-particle multiplicity. The results are compared with theoretical predictions from the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC Monte Carlo models.