Speaker
Description
Inclusive $J/\psi$ production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} \approx 27$ GeV provides a unique opportunity to explore gluon dynamics in the moderate-$x$ region relevant for the Spin Physics Detector (SPD) at the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA). In this work, we present a phenomenological study of quarkonium production near threshold within a transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) framework using the PEGASUS event generator.
Predictions are obtained with different gluon TMD parametrizations based on KMR and CCFM evolution schemes, allowing a systematic comparison of their impact on differential observables. We analyze rapidity and transverse-momentum distributions, investigate the stability of cross sections under renormalization-scale variation, and examine normalized spectra to isolate shape differences induced by gluon $k_T$ broadening effects. The relative roles of color-singlet and color-octet production channels are also assessed in the SPD kinematic regime.
Our results demonstrate that inclusive $J/\psi$ production at SPD energies is sensitive to the underlying gluon transverse structure and can serve as an effective probe of TMD dynamics at moderate $\sqrt{s}$. These findings provide theoretical benchmarks and motivation for forthcoming measurements at SPD/NICA.
| Tracks | Charm hadrons |
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