fragmentasjonsfunksjoner

Fragmentasjonsfunksjoner, or fragmentation functions, are a concept in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) that describe the probability of a hadron being produced from a quark or gluon. They are non-perturbative functions, meaning they cannot be calculated directly from the fundamental equations of QCD but must be determined from experimental data. Fragmentation functions are essential for understanding the process of hadronization, where the energy and momentum of quarks and gluons created in high-energy collisions are converted into the observable hadrons detected in experiments.

These functions play a crucial role in the analysis of particle collisions, particularly in experiments at particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider. When quarks or gluons are produced, they are not observed directly; instead, they fragment into a spray of hadrons. Fragmentation functions quantify this process, allowing physicists to relate the initial state of the collision to the final observed particles. They are typically defined in terms of the momentum fraction carried by the hadron from the initial parton.

Different types of fragmentation functions exist, depending on the specific process being studied. For example, a "leading hadron" fragmentation function describes the probability of a specific hadron carrying a large fraction of the original parton's momentum. Conversely, a "jet" fragmentation function describes the distribution of hadrons within a collimated spray of particles known as a jet. The accuracy of predictions in QCD-based models heavily relies on the precise determination of these fragmentation functions through rigorous experimental measurements and theoretical analysis.