Inclusive production of $f_2(1270)$ tensor mesons at the LHC via gluon-gluon fusion in the $k_t$-factorization approach

Abstract

The cross section for inclusive production of $f_2(1270)$ meson is calculated. We include both the mechanism of gluon-gluon fusion as well as the $\pi \pi$ final-state rescattering. The contribution of the gluon-gluon fusion is calculated within the $k_t$-factorization approach with modern unintegrated gluon distribution functions (UGDFs). Some parameters for the $g^{\ast }{g}^{\ast }\to f_2$ vertex are extracted from the $\gamma \gamma \to f_2(1270)\to \pi \pi$ reactions. The results strongly depend on the parametrization of the $g^{\ast }{g}^{\ast }\to f_2(1270)$ form factor. Results of our model are compared to the ALICE preliminary data. The gluon-gluon fusion does not explain low-$p_t$ data but could be the dominant mechanism at somewhat larger meson transverse momenta. By adjusting some parameters the pion-pion rescattering can explain the low-$p_t$ region.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of The 40th International Conference on High Energy physics - ICHEP2020, July 28 - August 6, 2020, Prague, Czech Republic (virtual meeting)