Probing non-perturbative QCD aspects on particle production in pp collisions with forward-backward correlations using \texttt{PYTHIA8}
Abstract
We employ PYTHIA8 simulations to study forward-backward (FB) correlations in pp collisions at LHC energies, probing non-perturbative QCD dynamics via color reconnection (CR) and QCD radiation (ISR/FSR). Using \texttt{PYTHIA8} (v8.311) under ALICE/ATLAS kinematics, we analyze: extensive: FB multiplicity () and summed () correlations; intensive: FB mean () correlations; and \textit{strongly intensive:} quantity in symmetric pseudorapidity intervals, validated against available experimental data. Systematic studies of as functions of , , and - sectors show MPI-based CR (ranges 3.6, 5.4) and QCD Color Rope significantly improve agreement with data. ISR/FSR critically influence and , with ISR dominant than FSR. Disabling ISR/FSR fails to replicate -dependent trends. Further, shows minimal CR-range sensitivity but the correlation strength increases when CR is disabled. Intensive quantity, , exhibit the opposite behavior to extensive observables i.e. the magnitude of increases with the increase of CR strength, highlighting the distinct influence of CR on intensive versus extensive observables. Its azimuthal dependence indicates that parton showers drive short-range correlations. The analysis of the strongly intensive quantity as a function of pseudorapidity gap indicates that FSR plays a dominant role at larger gaps, in contrast to the behavior observed in FB multiplicity correlations.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2508.03124,
title = {Probing non-perturbative QCD aspects on particle production in pp collisions with forward-backward correlations using \texttt{PYTHIA8}},
author = {Rohit Agarwala and Kalyan Dey},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.03124},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
18 pages, 15 figures