Production of one and two ccˉc \bar c pairs at LHC

We report on charm production at LHC. The production of single $c \bar c$ pairs is calculated in the $k_t$-factorization approach with different unintegrated gluon distributions. Examples of transverse momentum distributions for charmed mesons are presented and compared to recent experimental results from LHC. Some missing strength is observed for most of UGDFs. Furthermore we discuss production of two $c \bar c$ pairs within double-parton scattering (DPS) and single-parton scattering (SPS) mechanisms. Surprisingly large cross sections, comparable to single $c \bar c$ pair production are predicted. We discuss first experimental results from LHCb collaboration on production of pairs of $D$ mesons of the same flavour.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, invited talk by A. Szczurek at the international workshop Diffraction2012, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain, September 10-15, 201

D meson production asymmetry, unfavoured fragmentation and consequences for prompt atmospheric neutrino production

We consider unfavoured light quark/antiquark to $D$ meson fragmentation. We discuss nonperturbative effects for small transverse momenta. The asymmetry for $D^+$ and $D^-$ production measured by the LHCb collaboration provides natural constraints on the parton (quark/antiquark) fragmentation functions. We find that already a fraction of $q/{\bar q} \to D$ fragmentation probability is sufficient to account for the measured asymmetry. We make predictions for similar asymmetry for neutral $D$ mesons. Large $D$-meson production asymmetries are found for large $x_F$ which is related to dominance of light quark/antiquark $q/\bar q \to D$ fragmentation over the standard $c \to D$ fragmentation. As a consequence, prompt atmospheric neutrino flux at high neutrino energies can be much larger than for the conventional $c \to D$ fragmentation. The latter can constitute a sizeable background for the cosmic neutrinos claimed to be observed recently by the IceCube Observatory. Large rapidity-dependent $D^+/D^-$ and $D^0/{\bar D}^0$ asymmetries are predicted for low ($\sqrt{s} =$ 20 - 100 GeV) energies. The $q/\bar q \to D$ fragmentation leads to enhanced production of $D$ mesons at low energies. At $\sqrt{s}$ = 20 GeV the enhancement factor with respect to the conventional contribution is larger than a factor of five. In the considered picture the large-$x_F$ $D$ mesons are produced dominantly via fragmentation of light quarks/antiquarks. Predictions for fixed target $p+^{4}\!\textrm{He}$ collisions relevant for a fixed target LHCb experiment are presented.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, The initial calculations were improved by modifying fragmentation algorithm and using two different fragmenatation function

Open charm production at the LHC - ktk_{t}-factorization approach

We discuss inclusive production of open charm in proton-proton scattering at LHC. The calculation is performed within the $k_t$-factorization approach. Different models of unintegrated gluon distributions (UGDF) from the literature are used. The theoretical transverse momentum as well as (pseudo)rapidity distributions of charmed mesons are compared with recent experimental data of ATLAS, ALICE and LHCb collaborations. Only the calculation with Kimber-Martin-Ryskin (KMR) UGDF gives results comparable to experimental ones. All other popular models of UGDF significantly underpredict experimental data. Several sources of uncertainties of the theoretical predictions are also studied in details. In addition we discuss correlations between $D$ and $\bar D$ mesons. Good description of experimental distribution in invariant mass and in relative azimuthal angle between $D$ and $\bar D$ mesons is achieved for the KMR UGDF. The considered correlation observables measured by the LHCb experiment were not discussed in other approaches in the literature.Comment: 27 pages, 33 figure

Can the triple-parton scattering be observed in open charm meson production at the LHC?

We investigate whether the triple-parton scattering effects can be observed in open charm production in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. We use so-called factorized Ansatz for calculations of hard multiple-parton interactions. The numerical results for each parton interaction are obtained within the $k_{T}$-factorization approach. Predictions for one, two and three $c\bar c$ pairs production are given for $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV and $\sqrt{s}= 13$ TeV. Quite large cross sections, of the order of milibarns, for the triple-parton scattering mechanism are obtained. We suggest a measurement of three $D^{0}$ mesons or three $\bar{D^{0}}$ antimesons by the LHCb collaboration. Confronting our results with recent LHCb experimental data for single and double $D^{0}$ (or $\bar{D^{0}}$) meson production we present our predictions for triple meson final state: $D^{0}D^{0}D^{0}$ or $\bar{D^{0}}\bar{D^{0}}\bar{D^{0}}$. We present cross sections for the LHCb fiducial volume as well as distributions for $D^{0}$ meson transverse momentum and three-$D^{0}$ meson invariant mass. The predicted visible cross sections, including the detector acceptance, hadronization effects and $c \to D^{0}$ branching fraction, is of the order of a few nanobarns. The counting rates including $D^{0} \to K^{-}\pi^{+}$ branching fractions are given for known or expected integrated luminosities.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Production of ccˉccˉc \bar c c \bar c in double-parton scattering within ktk_{t}-factorization approach -- meson-meson correlations

We discuss production of two pairs of $c \bar c$ in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. Both double-parton scattering (DPS) and single-parton scattering (SPS) contributions are included in the analysis. Each step of DPS is calculated within $k_t$-factorization approach, i.e. effectively including next-to-leading order corrections. The conditions how to identify the DPS contribution are presented. The discussed mechanism unavoidably leads to the production of pairs of mesons: $D_i D_j$ (each containing $c$ quarks) or $\bar D_i \bar D_j$ (each containing $\bar c$ antiquarks). We calculate corresponding production rates for different combinations of charmed mesons as well as some differential distribution for $(D^0 D^0$ + $\bar D^0 \bar D^0)$ production. Within large theoretical uncertainties the predicted DPS cross section is fairly similar to the cross section measured recently by the LHCb collaboration. The best description is obtained with the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin (KMR) unintegrated gluon distribution, which very well simulates higher-order corrections. The contribution of SPS, calculated in the high-energy approximation, turned out to be rather small. Finally, we emphasize significant contribution of DPS mechanism to inclusive charmed meson spectra measured recently by ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure

Charmed mesons and leptons from semileptonic decays at the LHC

We discuss production of charmed mesons as well as electrons/muons from semileptonic decays of charm and bottom mesons in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. The cross section for inclusive production of $c \bar c$ and $b \bar b$ pairs is calculated in the framework of the $k_{\perp}$-factorization approach. Here, the KMR and Jung CCFM unintegrated gluon distribution functions are used. Theoretical uncertainties of the model related to the choice of renormalization and factorization scales as well as due to the quark mass are also discussed. The hadronization of charm and bottom quarks is included within the fragmentation functions technique. Inclusive differential distributions in transverse momentum of charmed mesons are presented and compared to recent results of the ALICE collaboration. Furthermore, we also consider production of different $D \bar D$ pairs in unique kinematics of forward rapidities of the LHCb experiment. Kinematical correlations in azimuthal angle $\varphi_{D\bar D}$ and invariant mass $M_{D \bar D}$ distributions are presented and compared to LHCb data. Furthermore, the semileptonic decays of charm and bottom mesons are done with the help of decay functions found by fitting recent semileptonic data obtained by the CLEO and BABAR collaborations. Inclusive differential distributions in transverse momentum of leptons for several kinematical regions are presented and compared to recent results of the ALICE and CMS collaborations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, talk given by R. Maciula at the XXI. International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects DIS 2013, 22-26 April 2013, Marseille, Franc