Neutral pion and η meson production in proton-proton collisions at s √ =0.9 TeV and s √ =7 TeV

Abstract

The first measurements of the invariant differential cross sections of inclusive π0 and η meson production at mid-rapidity in proton–proton collisions at √ s = 0.9 TeV and √ s = 7 TeV are reported. The π0 measurement covers the ranges 0.4 <pT <7 GeV/c and 0.3 <pT <25 GeV/c for these two energies, respectively. The production of η mesons was measured at √ s = 7 TeV in the range 0.4 <pT <15 GeV/c. Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD calculations, which are consistent with the π0 spectrum at √ s = 0.9 TeV, overestimate those of π0 and η mesons at √ s = 7 TeV, but agree with the measured η/π0 ratio at √ s =7 TeV.