Constraining nPDFs with inclusive pions and direct photons at forward rapidities in p+Pb collisions at the LHC

Abstract

In this talk, we present NLO pQCD predictions for inclusive pion and direct photon nuclear modifications in p+Pb collisions at mid- and forward rapidities at the LHC. In addition to the minimum bias predictions, we also address the centrality dependence with spatially dependent nuclear PDFs. To understand which regions of the nuclear momentum fraction $x_2$ these observables predominantly probe, we present also the underlying $x_2$ distributions at different rapidities. We are led to conclude that the isolated photons at forward rapidities are more sensitive to the small-$x_2$ dynamics than the inclusive pions.