Can the triple-parton scattering be observed in open charm meson production at the LHC?

Abstract

We investigate whether the triple-parton scattering effects can be observed in open charm production in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. We use so-called factorized Ansatz for calculations of hard multiple-parton interactions. The numerical results for each parton interaction are obtained within the $k_{T}$-factorization approach. Predictions for one, two and three $c\bar c$ pairs production are given for $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV and $\sqrt{s}= 13$ TeV. Quite large cross sections, of the order of milibarns, for the triple-parton scattering mechanism are obtained. We suggest a measurement of three $D^{0}$ mesons or three $\bar{D^{0}}$ antimesons by the LHCb collaboration. Confronting our results with recent LHCb experimental data for single and double $D^{0}$ (or $\bar{D^{0}}$) meson production we present our predictions for triple meson final state: $D^{0}D^{0}D^{0}$ or $\bar{D^{0}}\bar{D^{0}}\bar{D^{0}}$. We present cross sections for the LHCb fiducial volume as well as distributions for $D^{0}$ meson transverse momentum and three-$D^{0}$ meson invariant mass. The predicted visible cross sections, including the detector acceptance, hadronization effects and $c \to D^{0}$ branching fraction, is of the order of a few nanobarns. The counting rates including $D^{0} \to K^{-}π^{+}$ branching fractions are given for known or expected integrated luminosities.