Log(1/x) Gluon Distribution and Structure Functions in the Loop-Loop Correlation Model

We consider the interaction of the partonic fluctuation of a scalar ``photon'' with an external color field to calculate the leading and next-to-leading order gluon distribution of the proton following the work done by Dosch-Hebecker-Metz-Pirner. We relate these gluon distributions to the short and long distance behavior of the cross section of an adjoint dipole scattering off a proton. The leading order result is a constant while the next-to-leading order result shows a ln(1/x) enhancement at small x. To get numerical results for the gluon distributions at the initial scale Q^2_0=1.8 GeV^2, we compute the adjoint dipole-proton cross section in the loop-loop correlation model. Quark distributions at the same initial scale are parametrized according to Regge theory. We evolve quark and gluon distributions to higher Q^2 values using the DGLAP equation and compute charm and proton structure functions in the small-x region for different Q^2 values.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures,revised version,references added, typos corrected, to be published in Eur. Phys. Journal

Diffractive dissociation including pomeron loops in zero transverse dimensions

We have recently studied the QCD pomeron loop evolution equations in zero transverse dimensions [Shoshi:2005pf]. Using the techniques developed in [Shoshi:2005pf] together with the AGK cutting rules, we present a calculation of single, double and central diffractive cross sections (for large diffractive masses and large rapidity gaps) in zero transverse dimensions in which all dominant pomeron loop graphs are consistently summed. We find that the diffractive cross sections unitarise at asymptotic energies and that they are suppressed by powers of alpha_s. Our calculation is expected to expose some of the diffractive physics in hadron-hadron collisions at high energy.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures; numerous explanations added, matches the published versio

A Modified "Bottom-up" Thermalization in Heavy Ion Collisions

In the initial stage of the bottom-up picture of thermalization in heavy ion collisions, the gluon distribution is highly anisotropic which can give rise to plasma instability. This has not been taken account in the original paper. It is shown that in the presence of instability there are scaling solutions, which depend on one parameter, that match smoothly onto the late stage of bottom-up when thermalization takes place.Comment: 8 pages and 1 embedded figure, talk presented at the Workshop on "Quark-Gluon Plasma Thermalization", Vienna, Austria, 10-12 August 200

QCD at small x and nucleus-nucleus collisions

At large collision energy sqrt(s) and relatively low momentum transfer Q, one expects a new regime of Quantum Chromo-Dynamics (QCD) known as "saturation". This kinematical range is characterized by a very large occupation number for gluons inside hadrons and nuclei; this is the region where higher twist contributions are as large as the leading twist contributions incorporated in collinear factorization. In this talk, I discuss the onset of and dynamics in the saturation regime, some of its experimental signatures, and its implications for the early stages of Heavy Ion Collisions.Comment: Plenary talk given at QM2006, Shanghai, November 2006. 8 pages, 8 figure

Diffractive photon dissociation in the saturation regime from the Good and Walker picture

Combining the QCD dipole model with the Good and Walker picture, we formulate diffractive dissociation of a photon of virtuality Q^2 off a hadronic target, in the kinematical regime in which Q is close to the saturation scale and much smaller than the invariant mass of the diffracted system. We show how the obtained formula compares to the HERA data and discuss what can be learnt from such a phenomenology. In particular, we argue that diffractive observables in these kinematics provide useful pieces of information on the saturation regime of QCD.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, revte