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arXiv · 1508.07923

Iso-spin asymmetry of quark distributions and implications for single top-quark production at the LHC

Abstract

We present an improved determination of the up- and down-quark distributions in the proton using recent data on charged lepton asymmetries from $W^\pm$ gauge-boson production at the LHC and Tevatron. The analysis is performed in the framework of a global fit of parton distribution functions. The fit results are consistent with a non-zero iso-spin asymmetry of the sea, $x(\bar d - \bar u)$, at small values of Bjorken $x\sim 10^{-4}$ indicating a delayed onset of the Regge asymptotics of a vanishing $(\bar d - \bar u)$-asymmetry at small-$x$. We compare with up- and down-quark distributions available in the literature and provide accurate predictions for the production of single top-quarks at the LHC, a process which can serve as a standard candle for the light quark flavor content of the proton.

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BibTeXRIS

S. Alekhin, J. Bluemlein, S. Moch, R. Placakyte. 2015-08-31. Iso-spin asymmetry of quark distributions and implications for single top-quark production at the LHC. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.94.114038

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